Partnership 2000 Steering Committee Chair Gerry Flanzbaum, who donated most of the equipment, joins Rabbi Lipsker in affixing a mezuza at the Sharon Tobol Memorial Youth Club.

No one was sure how the war in Iraq would affect Israel. Although many flights were canceled and uncertainty prevailed throughout, a courageous group of true friends from New Jersey visited Arad. The brief, three-day visit was a source of excitement throughout the city.

Our American friends met with the Mayor, provided the local baseball team with special sports equipment and even promised continued support in the future. At the Sharon Tobol Memorial Youth Club, they participated in a small, family-like mezuza-affixing ceremony, marking the unofficial inception of activity at the site. Renovation of the shelter in which the club is situated was financed by the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey and the equipment and furnishings were contributed by the Flanzbaum family and their friends from Central New Jersey. A touching social encounter with Partnership 2000 public activists and volunteers concluded an action-packed day.

 

Sylvia Bernstein of Southern New Jersey shows the baseball team how to use the equipment she brought from the United States.

 

Partnership 2000 public activists meet at the home of veteran activist Berta Pistrov.

Sivan 5763 - June 2003