My involvement with the community of Beit Shemesh stems from a great belief and desire to contribute something back to the community with whom I grew up all my life. I belong to a group of children that are called "children of the transit camp (maabara)" that grew and expanded with the development of the city. Together with us, new olim were absorbed, houses were built, new roads were paved, trees were planted. We learned to appreciate everything that was created around us. Although the basic conditions were not easy, we had a simple and healthy childhood. Naturally, as a boy I absorbed a lot of the pioneer spirit and the feeling that we are the foundation of what the city is today.

I do love my town and the people I live with. Today, conditions have changed and are continuing to change as the city is growing and we have to help build a better society. The Jewish Agency and UJA have worked to develop partnershipand involvement of the Jewish people in the Diaspora in building the Land of Israel. We were eyewitnesses to another settlement, road, library, clinic, etc..… Money and energy were invested in building the Land. Historically, they did not invest in the need to create direct channels between the people in Israel and the Jews in the Diaspora.

"Partnership 2000" fills this gap. It is time to build a living bridge between the people of Israel and the Diaspora. This involvement is creating the birthright for young generations to visit Israel at least once in their lives and to explore the Land, values and heritage of the Jewish people. This great desire has to be filled in with content that will attract both the communities and those of us in Israel to a mutual commitment. This commitment to each other creates 'partnership' and partnership creates responsibility. Responsibility to each other and the need to build an ongoing living bridge on all levels is what Partnership 2000 is all about. This living bridge can be witnessed on so many levels, be it counselors from Washington teaching English at the Beit Shemesh summer camp, or our Ambassadors for Tolerance" program which allows for reciprocal visits between youth from Washington, South Africa and Beit Shemesh-Adulam. We are fotunate to have both South Africa and Washington to be our partners. Where else in the world can a South African meet someone from Washington - if not in Beit Shemesh! We are committed today, more than ever, to strengthen this connection for our true partnership. We owe it to ourselves and to the next generation.

December 1999