This week, the Central Galilee Region celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Jewish Agency's Project Partnership 2000 in the region. The celebration took place on Tuesday at Kibbutz Mizra, with the participation of local mayors and other dignitaries, representatives of the Jewish community of Michigan, Partnership 2000 volunteers, and the leadership of the Jewish Agency.

The Partnership 2000 Central Galilee-Michigan Region has been active for over the past ten years. 30 million NIS has been invested during that time in various areas such as regional development (32%), "Gesher Hai" (Live Bridges) – various activities which help to form ties between Jews in Central Galilee and Jews in Michigan (15%), Jewish education and identity (15%), and aid to immigrant absorption in the Galilee communities (11%). Among the many projects that were carried out with the aid and financial assistance of the Partnership 2000 Program were: Exellence in Music, Sound of Harmony - an orchestra consisting of Jewish and Arab children from the region, a long school day for Nazereth Illit and Migdal Haemek schools, planting and maintaining a theraputic garden for the elderly, shelters for victims of domestic abuse, delegations of Galilee students and youth leaders who attend Michigan summer camps, "Seder Nashim" and more.

Yitzchak Blonder, the Jewish Agency's director of the Northern region remarks: "The Jewish community in Michigan is a strong and leading community that sets an example for others. The Michigan community was wise enough to make its investment contribute to both the weaker class of Israeli society and also the stronger elements, by using it to develop community leadership in the area. The volunteer leadership in the region is unique and serves as a role model for other regions. Clearly, a successful partnership requires two good partners, both of whom understand the importance of linking the two parts of the Jewish people – the one that dwells in Zion with the one in the Diaspora."

Partnership 2000 is the lead project of the Jewish Agency to strengthen ties between Jewish communities in Israel and those in the Diaspora. The Central Galilee Region encompasses Migdal Haemek, Nazareth Illit, and the Jezreel Valley regional council. Together, they are partnered with the Jewish communities in Michigan through the Jewish Federation of Michigan.

Last Updated November 10, 2004