July

Adat Shalom Synagogue

A small group of 6 members of the Adat Shalom Synagogue arrived on a morning flight on Friday July 25, 2003 accompanied by the congregation's rabbi - Rabbi Haim Yoskowitz. Rabbi Yoskowitz and his wife Rachel had volunteered at the Hospice of the Valleys last year and had developed warm relationships with the volunteers they had met and who had hosted them in their homes. As a result, Rabbi Yoskowitz organized this visit for his congregation and chose the Central Galilee as the first stop on their itinerary to introduce the group to his friends. The visit included several mifgashim with volunteers at Zippori, a tour of Zippori, a visit to Hoshaya and home hospitality for coffee and cake before Shabbat.

Camp Tamarack

Aiming to reinforce the connection between teens in the central Galilee and Detroit, the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit invited teens from the Central Galilee to Camp Tamarack. In July, 90 Israeli teens, 75 campers aged 11-12 and 15 young counselors (past Tamarack participants) left for Detroit.

In mixed groups, the Israelis participated with their Detroit peers in all the activities and exceptional experiences offered by Jewish camp programs. The Israeli group spent their last week in Michigan with host families, an experience both the kids and their host families describe as a great success, everyone commenting on the close and warm relationships that were forged.

August

Michigan Legislators

The Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit organized the visit of legislators from Michigan to increase understanding and support of Israel in the United States and Michigan in particular. The group was introduced to partnership supported coexistence programs, participated in a fascinating discussion on the impact of terrorism on young children in Israel and were hosted by volunteers in their homes. For most, this was their first trip to Israel. They noted how impressed they were of the natural way sensitive and personal issues were discussed making them more aware of the reality and the conflicts faced by the citizens of the Central Galilee.

October

Otzma

The four Otzma volunteers, three from Michigan, arrived at the end of November. They were housed in Migdal HaEmek and assigned to volunteer experiences in all three municipal authorities. Our partnership volunteers received the Otzma volunteers with great warmth. A group of volunteers from the GLK Subcommittee planned a week of introductions and tours of the Jezrael Valley and Nazareth Illit, hosted them in their homes and organized mifgashim with Israeli peers who are active in the partnership. Throughout their stay in the region, the Otzma volunteers were hosted in the homes of partnership volunteers and past Tamarack participants.

November

Women Exchange

At the beginning of November a delegation of 8 women from Michigan arrived on a reciprocal exchange visit. Their itinerary was planned and orchestrated by members of the Central Galilee Women Exchange group. Special attention was placed on introducing the Michigan women to partnership-supported programs and on enhancing the personal relationships between the two groups. The visit was very successful, friendships were reinforced and the two groups agreed to maintain contact through joint efforts. The delegates formed a quilting bee to sew a huppa depicting different aspects of the "life cycle". In January, Laurie Davidson, on of the delegates on the Detroit Women Exchange, was married under this huppa. The women plan to develop a recipe book, which will be distributed at first through the e-mail.

Mission Visit from Grand Rapids

A delegation of 40 persons from several small western region communities, 12 from Grand Rapids, spent two days in the Region. Their itinerary included dinner with partnership volunteers from Migdal HaEmek and site visits to partnership supported programs. The highlight was a visit to Hafuch Al Hafuch. The delegates were deeply touched and everywhere showed their support and offered their assistance. Without doubt this visit will be instrumental in strengthening the link between Israel and Jewish communities in the United Israel.

Mission visit from Ann Arbor

After the G.A. a group of 10 Ann Arbor delegates visited the region. The visit was organized to enhance the connection with Nahalal and get a first hand impression of what is being done by the Frankel Program and in the "Ayelet HaGalile" Program - an effort to curb domestic violence. The visit was very touching, delegates enjoyed home hospitality offered by teachers from the Nahalal primary school and the next day was dedicated to partnership-supported programs. The last item on their itinerary was a joint dinner with their hosts at the end of which all the participants parted with great emotion. Without doubt this visit accomplished its goals, the visitors were very impressed by the partnership and new friendships that were formed will undoubtedly be maintained in the future.

Bob Stewart's visit

Bob Stewart, a major donor, spent two days in the Central Galilee to learn more about the partnership region and the Excellence and Leadership Program and meet with young people and volunteers. The visit was very successful and we look forward to many similar visits in the future.

December

Ruth Kurlandsky's visit

Ruth Kurlandsky, a very active volunteer from Grand Rapids, arrived at the beginning of December. Wishing to volunteer in the Central Galilee, she was hosted by a volunteer from Migdal HaEmek and did volunteer work at different schools in the region, meeting with high school students to teach them about Jewish life in the Diaspora and introducing them to the challenges faced by the younger generation in American communities. Her presentations were fascinating and praised by everyone. She was warmly received by partnership volunteers and spent time with different volunteers who showed her the region and invited her to their homes.

January

Shutafim L'Atid

The 7 persons on the Shutafim L'Atdit Mission visited the region at the beginning of January. The visit was designed to introduce the group to partnership-supported programs and to the partnership's volunteers, especially the young leadership 5 group. Their itinerary was very tight and included site visits to many programs. At the end of their visit, the delegates noted that they were very impressed by the Michigan-Central Galilee relationship and the programs that have been developed through the partnership.

Nisan 5764 - March 2004