To be in Arad and feel like you are in the States. That's precisely how the Avishoor School 6th graders felt, two weeks ago, as they interacted in a televised encounter with their New Jersey counterparts from Solomon Schechter Raritan Valley. Both groups sat fact-to-face and spent two exciting hours devoted to the value of Liberty and Freedom as depicted in the Channuka story, singing traditional and new songs and of course conversing freely with each other. Students enrolled in the computer communication program, assisted by their English teacher, orchestrated the encounter. They spent several weeks preparing for this event, discussing options and writing a background paper on the topic in English. Their classmates then joined them and with the dedicated assistance of their homeroom, music and computer teachers they structured the program for the entire evening.

The Solomon Schechter students also spent time and effort in preparing excerpts, some of which were translated to Hebrew, hip-hop lyrics and a gorgeous presentation on the Freedom enjoyed by American Jewry.

The kids' pleasure was further enhanced by a two-month exchange of e-mails, as part of the JAFI Partnership 2000 "Moderated Correspondence Connection" program, which had preceded the encounter. Through the e-mails the kids had become acquainted but the minute that their friends appeared on the screen, the room was filled with emotions that knew no bounds. Were it not for time constraints, as unlike the excellent service provided us by the local Communication Center our friends from New Jersey must travel 40 minutes to the university and purchase communication services, we would have gladly spent another couple of hours chatting as if we were really in the States. So here we are, waiting breathlessly for the next encounter.

Many share in the success of this videoconference. This is a great opportunity to thank the Communication Center staff, the Avishoor faculty and of course the 6th graders and first and foremost the communication students.

Le'hitraot at our next encounter.

Adar Aleph 5763 - March 2003