In May, Michigan Governor John Engler led a delegation of government officials and Jewish community leaders on a trip to Israel, sponsored by the Jewish Community Council and Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. The purpose of the trip was to strengthen ties between the people, businesses and institutions of Michigan and Israel.

Highlights of the trip included ceremonies in Michigan's Partnership 2000 region of the Central Galilee, a gala evening at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem attended by Israelis with connections to Michigan, and meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Weizman, Industry and Trade Minister Sharansky, and other top Israeli officials. Governor Engler and his aides identified several promising opportunities for joint business ventures between Israeli and Michigan companies which they plan to facilitate as part of a strategic trade agreement signed during the trip.

  1996