PARTNERSHIP 2000 ELECTRONIC BULLETIN
BEIT SHEMESH-ADULAM - SOUTH AFRICA-WASHINGTON DC
19 Av 5762 # 28 July 2002
Beit Shemesh # Mateh Yehuda Regional Council
IUA South Africa # Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
Jewish Agency for Israel # United Jewish Communities
http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh
**************************************************
>>> SHALOM! <<<
Through Partnership 2000, Washington D.C. and South Africa have developed a very special relationship with Beit Shemesh and the Adulam region in Israel. The partnership, which includes the Jewish Agency for Israel, focuses on the shared goal of developing this corner of Israel and in strengthening the Jewish identity of all partners - while building personal relationships between them.
Within the Beit Shemesh-Adulam region, we work together on projects that deal with leadership development amongst women, university students, youth, and adults; children at risk; special needs; the elderly; and education. The partnership is involved in 20 projects, with this bulletin designed to present you with highlights from some of these projects.
We hope that after reading the excerpt from each article you will click on to the link to read the full article on the Partnership 2000 web site. Also be sure to read the HOW TO GET INVOLVED SECTION at the end of the newsletter.
Most recently, the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington earmarked $601,000 of its Israel Now Campaign to security related projects in the Beit Shemesh/Adulam region. $126,000 went for 3 armored 4x4 patrol vehicles; $250,000 for an armored schools bus for children from the moshavim who drive through sometimes hostile areas on their way to school in Gush Etzion, $200,000 for an intensive care ambulance and its operation, and $25,000 for Midreshet Beit Shemesh for a safe kid program for Ethiopian children in the afternoons. The officials and residents of the region have organized a petition signed by hundreds of people who thank the Washington federation.
>>> MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN BEIT SHEMESH-ADULAM <<<
DC Community Brings Pesach Seder To 900 Ethiopian Residents *
In Israel, there is no such thing as a simple story. Read how the DC Jewish Community sponsored a seder for 900 Ethiopian immigrants living in Beit Shemesh, with Israel's only Ethiopian Masorti rabbi presiding.
http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh/news-0206-po.html
Regional Arts Center: Bridging Cultural Gaps Creatively *
"Its for me, for you, to fulfill a dream to create a real common language, through art," Miri Ibler, Director of Yad Harif, beams excitedly about her after-school program. "Here we bring together the wide ethnic spectrum of students: Kurds, Poles, Yemenites, Moroccans; religious and secular, to interact through the wonderful medium of art."
http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh/news-0206-art.html
>>> BUILDING THE LIVING BRIDGE <<<
New South African Partnership 2000 Chairs *
Moonyeen Castle was the former Chairman of the Women's Zionist Organisation of the Western Province, Cape Town. Dovie Unterslak, from Durban, was one of the accompanying adults on the last Holocaust Tour. New chair in Johannesburg is Madeleine Fane.
http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh/news-0111-sasc.html
Phyllis And Ted Meyerson: Volunteerism At Its Best *
We had two goals: to be able to "live like an Israelis" in order to better understand the people and the country, and to do something that would make a useful contribution to the people or the country. A day after arriving, everyone wanted to know if we were available to eat Friday evening or Saturday afternoon meals with them.
http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh/news-0206-vol.html
OTZMA Tradition Continues *
During the evenings, when our free time coincides, we cook delicious dinners together and share in our experiences of the day in this wonderful country. From Sara's passion for teaching, to Emily's experience working with women, to my love of art, we have all found creative outlets to put our talents to use in this welcoming community, and are delighted to call Beit Shemesh our home.
http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh/news-0201-otzma.html
Sixteen South African Educators on Teachers' Exchange Seminar *
Following last year's first leg, Israeli teachers will be sent to SA for a month this December to teach Hebrew both at schools and to adults in the evenings. During the third year, the two countries will do a project, running parrallely on a subject to be decided on by the teachers.
http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh/news-0111-teach.html
Ambassadors For Tolerance Exchange *
Youth from Beit Shemesh-Adulam go to South Africa, with South African youth following suit to Beit Shemesh-Adulam. Looking around at the happy/sad faces at this party, made us realise that cultural differences can easily be overcome and it takes the right education to make people understand that with tolerance and knowledge, prejudices are easily put aside.
http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh/news-0207-amb.html
Cheryl Unterslak: Volunteer With N'shama
http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh/news-0207-unt.html
Holocaust Tour In August
http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh/news-0207-hol.html
South Africa Sends Largest Steering Committee Delegation
http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh/news-0207-sa.html
>>> BUILDING COMMUNITY - BUILDING PEOPLE <<<
Lamitnadev: Bringing Together Beit Shemesh's Volunteers *
Lamitnadev is a Beit Shemesh-based non-profit organization sponsored by Partnership 2000. Under Partnership 2000's Student Leadership Program, Lamitnadev is striving to encourage volunteerism and related projects in its home community. Lamitnadev, is also unifying the different volunteering possibilities and outlets in Beit Shemesh, bringing all the opportunities together, and freeing more options for people interested in volunteering.
http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh/news-0206-lam.html
Making A Stand To Recruit Volunteers *
The Lamitnadev Voluntary Association has bolstered its efforts to find volunteers by setting up a recruitment stand at Beit Shemesh's "BIG" Shopping Center. 25 new volunteers have been recruited to date.
http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh/news-0207-vol.html
Midreshet Beit Shemesh In Social Action *
These dedicated volunteers, compromised of seven Sheirut Leumi young women, and eight volunteers from Garin Ma'ayan northern kibbutzim, are having a tremendous impact here. Together these devoted and energetic young staff members plan a variety of programs, from educational sessions in classrooms to walking tours of Beit Shemesh. Midreshet Beit Shemesh stresses creativity in their education of Jewish values, especially in the presentation of ideas.
http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh/news-0206-mid.html
Bridging the Digital Divide *
This Lamitnadev project aims to provide computer literacy to new immigrants and residents of distressed areas in Beit Shemesh-Adulam. This, as a means to improve their long-term employability and integration into mainstream Israeli society. Companies and organizations such as Microsoft Israel, the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics and Omnitech Eichut have joined Lamitnadev's initiative by contributing computers and software.
http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh/news-0201-digital.html
Book Burning Sparks Heated Debate On Beit Shemesh Listserve
http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh/news-0206-book.html
>>> VOLUNTEER IN BEIT SHEMESH <<<
Through Partnership 2000 we are happy to welcome volunteers from the communities of Washington DC and South Africa. Volunteering in the region provides you with an opportunity to get to know the people and the place on a first hand basis. In the process you will also be contributing your skills in various volunteer opportunities. We have a fully furnished apartment just for the use of volunteers in the new area of Beit Shemesh.
http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh/news-0007-vol.html
>>> GET INVOLVED IN THE PARTNERSHIP <<<
Here's How:
Create an internet/e-mail relationship between schools, classes, or individuals from your community to counterparts in Beit Shemesh. Contact Ira at ira@ujc.org.il
Come to Beit Shemesh and Adulum to volunteer. We'll create a volunteer placement around your ability and needs and provide a luxurious villa for your stay (see above advertisement). Contact Gil Betzalel - GBezalel@jewishfedwash.org - 301-230-7200.
Ask to host Israeli professionals, teens, performing groups and youth counselor delegations from Beit Shemesh and Adulum in your local community. Contact ira@ujc.org.il
Check out the Partnership 2000 web-page at http://www.partner.org.il/beitshemesh/
Make a financial contribution to the Washington D.C. Jewish Federation annual campaign, part of which is ear-marked for projects in Beit Shemesh and Adulum. Contact Gil Betzalel - GBezalel@jewishfedwash.org - 301-230-7200.
Become knowledgeable and active in your local community in Partnership 2000. Contact Gil Betzalel - GBezalel@jewishfedwash.org - 301-230-7200.
Forward comments, feedback, subscription, or to submit an article to davidm@jazo.org.il
Editorial Board:
Mickey Blumberg, IUA South Africa Community Representative,
mickeyb@netvision.net.il
Ira Kerem, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Community
Representative, ira@ujc.org.il
Reeva Ninio, Jewish Agency Beit Shemesh-Adulam Regional Manager,
reevan@jazo.org.il
David Muskal, Information Coordinator, Jewish Agency - Israel
Department, davidm@jazo.org.il