During the General assembly in November various overseas delegations visited four Youth Aliyah villages. A UJC Solidarity Mission from Bergen County and North Hudson New Jersey traveled to Ben Yakir where they contributed a grant for therapy reinforcement. A delegation visited Hadassah Neurim where the focus was the sporting achievements of the National Youth Center for Athletics, funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and the Hadassah Chapter in Houston. At Ramat Hadassah Szold, GA delegates saw the transformation of the campus thanks to the philanthropy of the Oran Foundation through the Spirit of Israel. And at Kiryat Yearim, Lion of Judah (Israel) presented to GA delegates their program – Empowerment for Young Girls, which emphasizes topics like women's rights, prevention of violence and developing positive self-esteem.

Among the GA visitors to Kiryat Yearim was Susan Stern of New York City, Chairman of the National Women’s Philanthopy of UJC.

“The children seemed extraordinarily happy,” said Stern, who painted masks and mingled with some of the teenage girls at the village. “These youngsters are now in an environment where they can grow and realize their potential.”

Shvat 5764 - February 2004