On Sunday, March 10th 2002, Bencher group for FSU paid a visit to the region.

The group included 20 participants, all 30-60 years old, social workers from Jewish communities in the FSU.

The visit started at the Karmiel absorption center, where the group met with the manager and social worker of the center; they also met with representatives of the Moldavia single parent group, a project funded by the Pittsburgh Federation.

In the center, the group heard of the absorption center activities and the Moldavia singles parents project (which is sponsored by Pittsburgh federation).

In addition, the group paid a visit to 2 golden-age centers in Karmiel - "Eshkolot" day center and the elderly center on Zahal Street. There, the group met with Israeli social workers of the Karmiel welfare Dept., who work with elderly people as well.

The Bencher project is funded by Pittsburgh Federation, which sponsored this two-week visit to Israel.

Pittsburgh community is one of the 4 partners of "Partnership 2000" project of the Jewish Agency. The partnership includes Karmiel, Misgav, Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

Nisan 5762 - March 2002