From Na'im Be'yahad - (Pleasant Being Together) - Partnership 2000 Volunteer
Newsletter, Writer and Editor: Israel Perez. Translation: Dorit Tavori

A substantial number of boys have already participated a completed the special 'Partnership 2000' "Passages" project. This project prepares them for their 'Bar Mitzvah' in an innovative way. Volunteers from the area have prepared this special course, which incorporates a number of goals set by the Partnership Volunteer Forum.

The 'Passages' project incorporates the 3 communities of the 'Partnership 2000' project in Central Galilee, Nazareth Illit, Migdal Ha'emek and the Yizre'el Valley. This is the 4th year the project operates and more than 50 boys approaching Bar Mizvah age have participated in an eight-meeting program that helps them to discover and understand their Jewish identity. The program also touches subjects by which youngsters are preoccupied and includes the actual Bar Mitzvah preparation - not only from a religious point of view. These meetings are held at the "Oranim" college, allowing the youngster to learn about their Jewish heritage and it's sources. During these meetings they meet other youngsters of the same age group, together with their parent, creating a lasting emotional experience which most of them would not like to miss. According to the participants, the instructors from the 'Oranim' college guide both youngsters and adults in a highly professional way. The integration of youngsters, with their typical age related problems, with their parents seems problematic, but many parents testify that this experience has brought them closer to their children. Many parents and children have understood that this experience has helped them to establish a better and stronger relationship.

  Tevet 5761 - January 2001