During the last week, Barbara Rosenthal, Adv. and Ms. Suzi Avitan from Cleveland visited the Beit Shean region. Barbara and Suzi were sent by the Jewish Community of Cleveland through Partnership 2000 to share their knowledge and experience from the different professional areas where they work and volunteer.

Barbara Rosenthal is a member of the Board of Trustees at the Federation, a member of committees in a few Jewish organizations such as the UJC and in other non-Jewish organizations as well. Barbara is considered one of the 100 most influential women in Cleveland and in her professional life serves as the Vice President of the Organization for Developing Housing for People with Special Needs.

Suzi Avitan is the Assistant Director of the Human Resource Development Dept. at the Jewish Community Federation in Cleveland and is responsible for all the Young Leadership training programs.

Many sessions took place with different groups: Heads of Departments in the Municipalities, residents of the new settlement Michal, Community Builders and others. Barbara and Suzi spoke on many topics, such as: the community as a resource, fund-raising, enhancing assets and working with volunteers.

“We should have had such a meeting a year ago, it would’ve saved us many problems.” “The meeting was outstanding and very quickly we learned what fund-raising really is about.”

“You opened our eyes, you succeeded in specifying and focusing on our problems and you gave us practical tools to continue – thank you!”

These were just a few of the many reactions we received from the many participants. “Even though the schedule was busy, we enjoyed every moment and we plan on continuing to be ambassadors for the Partnership in Cleveland,” concluded Barbara and Suzi on their visit to the Beit Shean region.