Mission and hosts by the new playground

Mission from South Palm Beach spent a day in Kiryat Bialik

A mission of 120 people from SPBC, celebrating Israel's 60's anniversary, dedicated a whole day to visit Kiryat Bialik, its partnered community within JAFI's Partnership 2000. The unique, meaningful day became one of the highlights of the entire journey.

Following a brief tour of the city and a visit to its memorial hall of fallen soldiers, the group split to activities of interest. These included visits to factories involved with the new economic development project supported by the Federation; a school bomb shelter, renovated and computerized with a generous donation from the Emergency Campaign two years ago; an elderly day center; a class for autistic children within a regular elementary school; and the new youth club, recently dedicated with a generous donation from Sam Harris as a special Bar-Mitzvah project. Sam's grandfather, Chair of the Board Stewart Harris, joined the visit at the youth club.

One highlight of the day was the dedication ceremony of the new playground, generously donated by the family of Gladys Moore z"l and many others in SPBC. Mrs. Anne Jacobson from Boca, of the joint Women to Women group that initiated this project, offered her greetings and gratitude, followed by Dr. Pnina Moses from KB, co-chair of the women's group. Rabbi Zalman Bukiet said She'hecheyanu and a group of 2nd-graders sang a song reciting the word Shalom in various languages, to the exhilaration of the audience. The unveiling of two honor plaques marked the closing of this exciting, heartwarming ceremony.

Everyone was then invited to the main welcome reception. Many from KB, including P2K steering committee members and others involved in living bridge programs, joined the guests for a delicious lunch. The Bialik Youngsters troupe performed in song and dance with bursting energy and was welcomed enthusiastically by the audience.

Kiryat Bialik's elected mayor, Mr. Eli Dukorski, welcomed the visitors warmly and said he would do everything to continue in the footsteps of his predecessor, Dr. Rafi Wertheim, in cooperating with the steering committee and JAFI's staff to help develop this great partnership. Gidi Shilo, P2K steering committee chair for Kiryat Bialik, also thanked Dr. Wertheim, who was unable to attend the event, for his ongoing cooperation and support. On behalf of the mission spoke Mr. Steve Winig, former P2K chair and one of the driving forces behind the previously mentioned economic development project, and his wife Carol. They pointed out how Partnership 2000 allows Jewish people around the world to become actually involved with Israel. They thanked everyone in KB, as well as the partnership director for JAFI, Eshel Fram, and the project coordinator Carmit Gilad. Mr. Fram thanked everyone in SPBC's Jewish community for being such great partners. He said that out of 45 partnerships across Israel, this is one of the most successful.

Partnership 2000 between SPBC and KB was established over 6 years ago. Administered by a joint American-Israeli steering committee, it operates successfully in the fields of education, culture, community and economic development. Several living bridge projects, involving youth as well as adults, created strong, long lasting bonds among members of both communities. This mission joined a long list of groups visiting KB while in Israel, and it is the hope of KB residents that this will remain a routine stop for every future mission.

Ann Jacobson at the playground dedication

From left: Stewart Harris, Eli Dukorski, Gidi Shilo, Eshel Fram, Bill Bernstein

Steve (left) and Carol (2nd right) Winig present P2K staff, Eshel Fram (center) and Carmit Gilad with mission vests. 2nd left: Mayor Dukorski

The Bialik Youngsters in a song dedicated to captured soldier Gilad Shalit