This week, fifteen candidates from Migdal HaEmek, Jezreel Valley, and Nazareth Illit began a personal leadership development course within the framework of the Community Leadership 7 program.  The program is operated by Central Galilee Partnership 2000, a Jewish Agency project.  The candidates will attend sessions of an eight-month course during which they'll become familiar with the Partnership, learn how to initiate and organize projects, attend diverse workshops, and, ultimately, travel to Michigan.

Among the candidates contending in the meticulous selection process were lawyers, social workers, educators, and others.  This is the seventh cycle of the leadership course, which has become a longstanding tradition of Partnership 2000. 

The Partnership ascribes great importance to promoting and nurturing social leadership-this in order to leverage civic activity for the sake of citizens themselves and their community.  The program's philosophy is that this kind of leadership contributes both to community strength and the strength of all of Israeli society.

"Investing in developing social leadership is an extremely important strategic investment that has long-term influence on the future character of Central Galilee," says Eti Oren, Gesher l'Kesher (Living Bridge) coordinator.  "With the opening of each new group, I get excited all over again.  These volunteers who have undergone training will eventually join the Partnership ranks and give back to the community.  We already have about 100 volunteers who are graduates of the leadership program and we see them as the spearhead of the Partnership."