Rabbi Norman of Detroit's Temple Kol Ami recently paid a visit to the Jewish Agency Partnership 2000 region.  Accompanied by his family, the rabbi is taking advantage of his sabbatical year to visit Israel where he is touring schools, being hosted by members of the community and planning future joint projects.

The rabbi visited Nofim School in Migdal HaEmek, which for years has worked to advance joint programs along with Kol Ami, a supplementary Jewish school in Michigan where twice a week children of the Jewish community learn Bible, Judaism, Hebrew and songs.  The children were extremely excited by Rabbi Norman's visit and let fly with a barrage of questions on a variety of topics.  The encounter enabled the children to get a deeper understanding of the lifestyle of the American Reform Jewish community as well as an introduction to the largest stream of Judaism in the US.

Rabbi Norman also visited Yahad School in Givat Ella to get a firsthand look at a program called TALI (Jewish scholastic reinforcement), which is supported by Partnership 2000.  He also helped welcome the Sabbath at the Nigun Halev community center in Nahalal, where he and local residents sang songs, danced, and played festive music.