We are presently at the initial stages of forming a team of volunteers who can take these suggestions and formulate detailed project proposals. Once we have some concrete proposals they will of course be sent to you for your perusal and input.

The seminar is an initiative of the "Friends" Committee whose members are Tamar Krieger, Danny Itanu, Iris Even-Haim, Carol Shemesh, Limor Lev and Yael Pinsky.

 2. The "Michigan Connection" Volunteers Committee wishes to publish a brochure on Succoth providing ideas on how to celebrate this holiday in the family, the school and the community in Michigan and in the Central Galilee.

In order to move forward, the committee invited three professional bodies - the Midrasha at Oranim, the Holidays Institute at Beit Hashita and the Frankel Institute from Jerusalem. (By the way, this is also the first time that these three organizations sit together, brainstorm together and will issue a shared publication. We feel that this in itself is an important accomplishment and an added value of our Partnership).

The meeting was excellent. Several constructive suggestions were made for the brochure. Shai Zarchi from the Midrasha took upon himself to formulate an initial draft proposal. We gladly welcome any ideas and would like to have information on Succoth traditions in Michigan. The volunteers involved in this project are Yair Hammer, Shlomit Meyers and Edna Shapira.

 3. On Wednesday June 6th we organized a Partnership 2000 booth at the Jezrael Valley Regional Council's "Open House" event. The booth was geared to the younger audience and hundreds of children could be seen drawing on Partnership 2000 T-shirts, getting a feeling for the sharing and giving experience that is characteristic of our Partnership.

The booth was laden with written material on Partnership 2000 and dozens of people stopped to pick up copies, asked questions and receiving detailed explanations, some even left their names and personal phone numbers and addresses, expressing interest in various programs.

I want to take this opportunity to thank again all the volunteers who attended the event, staffed the booth and contributed greatly to the success of this initiative - Shimon Shorr, Sharah Ilan, yael Pinsky, Marianne Steinmetz, Tamar Krieger, Jo;a Mishali, Rachel Rothbaum, Osnat Raveh, Shalom Peretz, Reut and Yair Hammer, Shlomit Meyers, Iris Even-Haim, Esti Bar-Sade. Thank are also due to Eti Oren and Maly Bar-On who orchestrated and monitored this successful initiative.

And one final update to conclude this short report:

Last week, three Michigan University students, participants in the Star Program that involves its graduates in community work, were hosted by the Region. They spend 48 hours in the Region during which they visited numerous and diverse centers of activities - community centers in Nazareth Illit and Migdal HaEmek, Sav Yom and the Day Care Center for Senior Citizens, the Jezrael Valley College and others.

I want to thank Meirav Amitai for the marvelous dinner she organized at her home, Edna Shapira for opening her home and accommodating the students overnight and Shosh Nahon for making herself available to meet the students to tell them all about the volunteers' activities. The students from Michigan noted that the meetings with Partnership 2000 volunteers were the most enjoyable, educative and important component of their visit. For this we have to thank Meirav, Shosh and Edna.

These are very difficult days for our dear country, we find much relief and comfort in activities of mutual support, the formulation of ideas that can promote a more caring community, in giving and in the hope of a better tomorrow. Partnership 2000 gives us the common ground upon which to build connections fortified by the knowledge that you are always by our side. Thank for you for your constant support through numerous mails and phone calls.

Best personal regards

  Sivan 5761 - June 2001