36 youngsters from the Center Galilee partnership left this past Sunday to the Tamarak summer camp in Detroit, Michigan. In compliance with the "Homeland Front Command" instructions the group gathered in the underground parking lots in Nazeret Ilit and Migdal Haemek. The youngsters said their quick farewells to their families in the "protected area" and were rushed to get on the busses and leave without delay, as there was concern of missles and rockets as the area experienced in the past few days.

Batya Shimshi, Center Galile p2k's education and community coordinator, described the farewell: "I've been witnessing this "farewell ceremony" for the past several years  and I always saw parents sad and starting to miss their children even before they got on the bus. This time was different. The mixed emotions were very visible. Parents sad as to the long upcoming seperation but happy that their children are not only on their way to a wonderful experience but mainly far away from the missiles range and out of harms way.

On the other side of the ocean, the federations staff and the Detroit community are waiting with warmth and love for our youngsters. The children will be staying in the big amazing camp that is in the outskirts of Detroit for 40 days and will be hosted by families of the Michigan community over the last weekend before their return home.

The Detroit federation has been hosting children from the partnership in Camp Tamarak since the Intifada started. Over 400 children have been part of this project since its kickoff. When the fighting started up north, the Detroit Federation came to to aid of the people in the Center Galilee area and donated $750,000 to the partnerships municipalities for emergency allignment.

Patnership 2000 Michigan - Center Galilee is a fascinating partnership.Since its foundation in 1994, their is a deep and sincere cooperative relationship between the municipalities of Nazeret Ilit, Migdal Haemek and Emek Yizrael and between the israeli side with the P2K communities in Michigan - Detroit, Ann-Arbor Grand Rapids and Flint.