By Judy Yuda, Director of Partnership 2000 Yokneam-Megiddo

On May 27th, 2010, an energetic group of young people from St. Louis got right off the plane and onto a bus heading directly to Yokneam, St. Louis Partnership 2000 sister city. The group, led by Chana Novack, joined two local sport teams in a friendly game of soccer and basketball.  Both teams are operated by the HaPoel Sports Association under the careful direction of Carmi Zilberman and Erez Indivo.  This program, sponsored by the St. Louis and Atlanta Jewish Federation, brings together teens from all local population sectors, with the vision to integrate them into adult soccer and basketball leagues at the highest possible level. It also gives kids from disadvantaged families an opportunity to join their peers in the fun and challenges of league sports.

On the basketball court the Birthright Delegation was challenged to play against a group of local teens. The balls went back and forth between the Yokneam team and the newly formed St. Louis team. It was hard to keep score on which team was in the lead.

On the soccer playing field, the delegation joined a group of kids who were waiting eagerly to show the American's how to really play the game. The HaPoel kids were quite surprised to see how well they played and knew the rules of the game.

After the games, all participants got together on the grass for a well deserved and fun hamburger and soft drink dinner.