Pictured: The teens gathering together with group coordinator Anat (lower left) and Ziona Shriki, the Teen Mission Chair.

The Israeli Teen Mission, under the auspices of Central Galilee Partnership 2000, returned home after an exciting week spent in Michigan.

As is the custom every two years, the mission, consisting of 14 youths aged 15 to 17, traveled overseas and spent one week getting to know people from the American Jewish community, particularly teens of their age group.  These types of encounters contribute to both sides in learning about a different culture, practicing speaking the second language, and building upon existing knowledge.

The Israel teens volunteered to help out at soup kitchens and give out food to the underprivileged and to lead activities at Jewish schools.  They also visited different Jewish centers in order to get a different perspective on how Israel is perceived.  "We felt like we were part of a new family!" gushed one of the teens excitedly, describing the warm hospitality he was given while staying at the home one of the American teens.

Soon it will be the turn of the American teens to visit Israel and be hosted in the Central Galilee region.  The visit is planned for July, at which time the Americans will travel across Israel in a stimulating and unique journey together with their new young friends from Central Galilee.