The Israeli Camp counselors in J&R camp, Summer 2004

Four young counselors (MADATZ) who graduated 12th grade, and three adult counselors who finished their army service, were selected to go to the Jewish community of Pittsburgh to guide in the summer camps. This was done within the frame of the "Partnership 2000" program of the Jewish Agency for Israel, in cooperation with the community centers in Carmiel and Misgav.

The adult counselors spent eight weeks in the communities. The young counselors went to Pittsburgh in the middle of July and stayed for approximately five weeks. Throughout their stay in the communities, they stayed with Jewish hosting families who accepted them with a lot of warmth and love.

Each Israeli counselor joined an American one and they worked together with a group of children, ages 4-14. The Israeli counselors succeeded in forming excellent ties with the children at the camp and with their American colleagues.

A full week of the camp was devoted to the topic of Israel. The counselors built an "Israel Tent" in which they held different activities having to do with Israel: teaching games, songs, baking "Pita" and more. Some of the adult counselors guided special Israel "courses" throughout the entire camp, which included: Israel folk dancing, getting to know the Israeli Armed Forces, studying the Hebrew alphabet and so on.

This project makes it possible for Israeli youth to learn up close about Jewish community life in the Diaspora. The American children and families also get to know in person the Israeli counselors, their life style and culture.

  Av 5764 - August 2004