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FOUR JEWISH AGENCY EMISSARIES TO NORWAY FOR THE FIRST TIME 16 MORE SHLICHIM LEFT FOR THE FSU THIS YEAR. THE PROGRAM WILL BE EXPANDED TO SOUTH AMERICA AS WELL Four shlichim will be sent to Norway for educational and community activity in Jewish community organizations in Oslo, the Norwegian capital, for the first time this year. The four are part of the "Amitim" program, run by the Department for Jewish Zionist Education, and they will stay in the city for 9 months. 16 other shlichim are due to leave for a similar program in the FSU. The Education Department has been running the "Amitim" program for 6 years. Every year members of the program from Israel and the US travel to organize Jewish and Zionist community activities in different cities all over the world. Their activity involves working in JAFI institutions and organizations in the communities, as well as a variety of public and educational bodies. "Amitim" is a joint venture run by the Education Department and the Atlanta Jewish Federation. While they are working in the community, the Amitim help raise the awareness of Jewish identity among community members, as well as working on their own sense of Jewish identity. Each pair of "Amitim" comprises an Israeli and an American representative, aged 21 - 27. This combination enables the Amitim to become better acquainted with his/her colleague's spiritual world and this strengthens the bond with their common roots. The program has been a great success and tens of Amitim from Israel and the US have already participated in it. Some of the American Amitim have even made aliyah as a result of their experiences on the program. In August, a special seminar will be held for Amitim from Israel and the US, following which the new shlichim will set out for their destinations. In the future, the Education Department plans to expand the program to Latin American countries as well. |
