Let me begin with letting you know that I am very happy and excited to be working as your new P2P coordinator. Please let me introduce myself: My name is Talia Leibler Gabay and I was born and raised in Jerusalem to two olim (immigrant) parents. My mother was from Stamford Connecticut and my father was from Amsterdam Holland. I went to a conservative high school and after that joined the IDF as a tank driver and instructor. After traveling the world for a while and studying music I started my academic studies. I hold a master's degree in Jewish Education from the Hebrew University and a Bachelor's degree in Informal Education and Israel Studies from Beit Berl College. . I have been a Ramah Israel Trip Coordinator for the past 7 years in Jerusalem. Before that I was sent by the Jewish Agency for Israel to serve as a community Shlicha (emissary) for four years at the Jewish Federation of the Greater East Bay in Oakland, California. I worked at NFTY for many years as well. I am married to Ariel Gabay who is a tour guide and educator, have two amazing children and as of three weeks ago reside in Kibbutz Mishmar Hanegev.

And now to business... 

I was very fortunate to be part of a wonderful evening our Netivot- Sdot Negev steering committee that was held Monday night  at Sima's place! It was truly great. The evening started off with a toast and with a wonderful BBQ meal. I right away felt the warmth of the new community I joined.

The main part of the evening was truly exciting to see. Instead of talking about the developments that have to do with the Regional Development led by Praxis, Gil chose to bring the talented entrepreneurs to speak for themselves…We had five different shows from our Netivot- Sdot Negev entrepreneurs who have finished the Small Businesses Development Centers Course: Gili Marom from Sdot Negev is a puppeteer who held a great short puppet show for us; Yafa Dadon from Netivot is an artist who spoke to us about how much the course helped her and displayed her nice art work for us; Pazit Elimelech from Netivot who is an actor that wishes to open her own acting studio in Netivot; Yishai Zmiri from Sdot Negev who is an actor and perform a one man show for us and Odelia Ochayon from Netivot who is a singer that would like to pursue her singing career and sang a wonderful song for us. The Steering Comity was very exited and impressed to see with their own eyes how an entire generation of entrepreneurs is developing in Netivot- Sdot Negev. 

The evening continued with delicious homemade desserts, karaoke sing-along and a visit from Yehiel Zohar, Meir of Netivot! Please enjoy the pictures attached and look for the one of Yehiel and Dr. Maurice singing a duet...!
Wishing you all a Shana Tova,
Talia