This past September we launched a new / old project that broght together people from 4 different communities: Palm Beah, Clevlend, Tzahar and St. Petersburg to volunteer together and do 'Tikun Olam' in the Jewish community of St. Petersburg.

After the mission returned, Maayan Cohen, one of the participants, wrote a personal and a moving letter for Jeff Klein, of the CEO of the Jewish Federation in Palm Beach County.

Shalom Jeff,

Seven years ago I participated in the TLI Project- 21 teenager from 3 Jewish communities: Israel, Russia and USA that shared the same values and leadership abilities.
We visited the Jewish community of Tzachar, Palm Beach and St. Petersburg.
From my memories of the visit in St. Petersburg, I remember a little building with nice people that have a desire to develop the Jewish community and the Jewish life, but without the ability and resources to do so. I remember the faces of the community leaders and the faces of the volunteers: they had hope in their eyes-they will not give up.

This month (Sept 08) I was fortunate to be part of the 'Yachad' Project and together with another 5 Israeli participants I got a chance to visit the Jewish community of St. Petersburg again. When I first saw the' Yessod' building I thought that it's a dream, a dream that came true not only for us as Jews that care about each other - 'kol Israel arevim ze laze' but a dream that came true for the Jews in St. Petersburg.(I felt like entering the JCC in WPB).

Seven years ago they were concerned about the safety and the location of the Jewish center, today they have an incredible building that contains the entire life of the community- from pre-school to elderly programs, they have children and family services, great programs for all ages- they have a living community.

I want to thank you on behalf of the Tzachar delegation for the opportunity to be part of this project, for the chance to meet different Jewish adults from different communities, to be able to share our values with them even though we live so far from each other but to discover that we are so close in our hearts .For the chance to be exposed to the Jewish life in St. Petersburg, it was an honor to dance with the kids in the pre-school, visit in people houses and offer help, to meet elderly Jews and to make them smile, to clean in a Jewish cemetery, to do 'kabalat shabat' in an open house, it was just an honor to be part of this project.

For us this partnership gives us Jews a chance to support each other and a chance to give love and help to anyone who needs. This partnership makes dreams come true. This partnership gives us all hope. This partnership makes us stronger.

We all believe that 'Yachad', we can do more.
 
Thank you again,

Shana Tova,
 
Ma'ayan Choen.