By Susie Zimmerman, Chair, Yokneam/Megiddo-St. Louis Partnership 2000 Committee

Shalom Haverim!

What an amazing time the St. Louis travelers to Israel have had this month. The Lions of Judah women, the first time to Israel Rubin group of young professionals, and the UJC General Assembly participants all were there. I think each of us is still processing our varied and memorable experiences.

Each group was able to visit our Partnership 2000 communities Yokneam/Megiddo – some for the very first time. I have a feeling all of you in the region were delighted to get to know new people from St. Louis as well as to renew old friendships.

Joyce Becker, one of our committed P2K committee members and St. Louis coordinator of our Noar L’Noar – Teen to Teen kesher program, joined me and my husband Stuart in productive and exciting meetings with Stephen Cohen, St. Louis Federation’s Assistant Executive Vice President, along with our Israel staff Arkady Hasidovich, Judy Yuda and Yael Shapira and the Yokneam/Megiddo P2K committee chair Sima Nisselbaum.

But it wasn’t all “business”. and I were treated to some very special visits in the region. Among them were visits to two elementary schools in Yokneam. We spent some brief but quality time with a 5th grade English class at Tidhar school. Tidhar is participating in our Kesher B’keetah (Connection in the Classroom) with RJA.

The kids we saw peppered us with questions and displayed lots of interest and enthusiasm for their new relationship with the kids at RJA.

We also got the chance to see some younger students at Daliyot school, where Sima Nisselbaum is the principal. Daliyot is also participating in P2K’s Kesher B’keetah program with the Solomon Schechter school as well as with United Hebrew’s religious school.

Sherri and Danny Weintrop joined our little group to check out the Eco Farm at the Reut Regional Youth Society in Megiddo. This very special place teaches the teenage students from the surrounding kibbutzim about the importance of nature and eco-systems, the interaction between man and the animal kingdom and the health consequences of the kind of food we eat.

In the coming weeks you’ll be getting specific stories as well as pictures that will go into greater detail about our memorable experiences in Israel and in our sister region. So stay tuned.

B'shalom!