By: Violet Spevack ,Cleveland Jewish News.Com

It was one team from two different countries when more than 50 Israelis and Clevelanders enjoyed a pre-Super Bowl party at the home of Ruth and Mark Elliott last Sunday. For several, it was a way to reconnect after meeting in Israel. Ruth is director and Pied Piper of the growing Engliyada program, which for the last 2-1/2 years has taken 46 enthusiastic Cleveland volunteers to Beit She’an to teach conversational English to adults.

The Community Builders, a group of 15 volunteers from the Beit She’an region, were in Cleveland to soak up all they could about community organizing and to promote positive change in Beit She’an. Some of the Community Builders had heard Mark, internationally-renowned business consultant, last month in Israel when he instructed them on how to deliver effective presentations to American audiences.