When we use the word "partnership", we are referring to two or more people working together.
When we use the term Partnership 2000, we are referring to two communities working together with one heart.
From July 14th- 24th, 2008, 7 young men and women from our partner community of Palm Beach, Florida, were here in the Tzahar region in order to perform community work, develop their leadership potential and to give of themselves as much as possible. This wide-ranging and long-term project to foster leadership and contributing to one's community is called "Habonim". The program aims to train youth in the values of leadership, volunteerism and leading the Jewish world in both Israel and the Diaspora.
The seven American youth were joined here by seven of their Israeli peers, who are themselves involved in volunteering and leading their communities. Participants were chosen based on their community and volunteer work, and for whom terms like contribution, giving, the spirit of volunteerism and personal and group leadership serve as common ground. This is how an exceptionally high-quality and diverse group was created, consolidated, and then sent to work for the community, as well as to tour and get to know the sites and sounds of Israel in general and the Tzahar region in particular.
A joint Shabbat was spent in the Holy City of Jerusalem, where the participants prayed evening and morning at the Western Wall, sang "Kabbalat Shabbat" at King David's tomb, and experienced several activities of study and consolidation. And all this under the very able guidance of "Livnot U'Lehibanot", the educational organization that runs the program in Israel.
Each day began with a brief morning discussion of some group topic, chosen by the participants themselves, which highlighted both their similarities and differences. A very interesting group dynamic was created, allowing a very open expression of ideas on a wide range of issues, from anti-Semitism in American schools today to the "March of Pride" in Jerusalem.
During their ten days here, "Habonim" managed to help renovate 3 bomb shelters in Tzfat, participated in an archeological dig at a site right under the "Livnot" campus, prepare and serve meals in the "Karmei Ha'Ir" Jerusalem soup kitchen and volunteer in an immigrant absorption center on Tzahal St. in Tzfat. Each day of volunteer activity was capped off with a local tour in the area: Ein Tina, the Rosh Pinna stream, the Birya Forest, Yodfat and the Gilabun.
The immediate spark of contact forged between the American and Israeli youth was rapidly translated into meaningful work, content and humor by the entire group.