By Vera Katsevich, Noar le'Noar Project Coordinator

Twin cities? Do the Cities have families? Sisters, brothers?

These were some of the questions which opened a special assembly that took place on November 16th, 2007 at the Oranim Elementary school in Yokneam.

The 5th grade students who were led by Vera Katsevich, their English teacher, told about Partnership 2000 and the special relationships developed over the years between the people of Yokneam and Megiddo and the members of the Jewish community of St. Louis. The student explained about the history of St. Louis and places of interest, while showing colorful pictures of the city.  This was all done in the form of mini-interviews: Young reporters interviewing "St. Louis citizens".

A few days before the assembly, a big picture of St. Louis art was created by the school students during some of their art lessons. It was also shown during the assembly. The grand finale of the ceremony was when the entire school population sang two songs in English: "It's a small world after all" and  "The more we are together…"

And this was exactly the message that came across!