This past winter students from the ORT school in Maalot went to visit 700 of their French ORT counterparts in Marseilles on a Jewish Agency Partnership 2000 youth delegation project. In preparation of their departure the Israeli teenagers took classes in Jewish Identity and history to help boost their knowledge of the country and therefore, ease the transition of the voyage.

There were a hundred children who wanted to go with the delegation, but after rigorous interviewing only sixty were selected. Many among the ones who were selected are not unfamiliar to the Maalot-Marseilles Partnership and have participated in past events. It was important that the group act as ambassadors of their country. Hence, the students were chosen based on their knowledge about the region, scholastic performance, and on personal leadership roles within the community.

The delegation interacts one-on-one with the Marseilles' youth bringing the two Jewish communities closer. Through exchanges like this one stereotypes of what Israeli teenagers are like can be broken by adding the human element. For example, some outside of Israel think that teenagers in the country are excited to be going into the armed forces due to pro-militaristic ideology. One student commented, "They think that we are only interested in death and that everyday there is terrorism." For this reason, it was important to them to show that the media is wrong. Moreover, that they, the youth of Israel, want to live their lives in peace and just be teenagers.

Due to the strong friendships that were forged, the Marseilles youth have been inspired to learn more about their shared history, Hebrew, and even come to visit. In July there will be a Marseilles youth delegation coming to Maalot comprised of individuals that are also seen as the leaders of their community. The Maalot students are assisting in the event planning for their new found friends' arrival, and are very excited about being given the opportunity to be involved with the organizational process.

This type of youth involvement promotes understanding and creates a sense of familial obligation to all those involved. It is bonding at a young age with individuals who will continue to stay in touch for many years to come. A boy from the winter delegation said that he felt the most important message for all those involved with the Partnership is "It's not heaven, but (together we) can do a lot of things to make Israel a better place for all of us."