Dear Friends Shalom,

 I would like to share an emotional experience that I had on June 19, 2001, when Moshav Nahalal hosted a group of 20 persons from the Ann Arbor Beith Israel Synagogue.  Rabbi Robert Dobrusin accompanied the group.

 The visit started at the Regional Primary School in Nahalal, a school that already has established relationships with a school in Ann Arbor.  The group was briefed on Partnership 2000 and the school.  The guests saw the English Books Corner in the school's library donated almost entirely by the Ann Arbor Community and attended a performance prepared especially for them by the 4th graders in the school.  The guest took group pictures by the impressive banner presented to the school by Ann Arbor.  They heard about the in-school parent & child Frankel Program on Jewish holidays and Jewish identity.

 Following the encounters at the school, the group visited the Nahalal Memorial to commemorate the sons of Nahalal who died in combat and the small Nahalal synagogue located near the school.

During the second part of the visit, the guests were hosted for afternoon coffee and cake in the homes of Nahalal families.  Some of the guests noted that though they had already been to Israel several times in the past, they had never had the opportunity to sit and interact with Israelis in their homes getting to know each other.

The farewells were very emotional.  People were hugging and kissing giving expression to their emotions that we are indeed one family!

 I would like to take this opportunity to thank Yair Hammer profusely for his commitment and efforts in orchestrating this visit.

 I am attaching, for your enjoyment, some recent pictures of your friends who are still in Israel.  Rabbi Dobrusin asked that I let you know that they are all well, having a great time and promise to come home soon and safely.

 Best personal wishes

  Tamuz 5761 - June 2001