It is 9:30 in the morning, and I am preparing to help Idan finish his move out of southern NJ to return to Israel, and my tears are beginning to flow. This is not going to be an easy day. This final report is not so much about Idan, but what he has done for our community, and for me, his "supervisor."

The past six months with Idan have been a journey. At once a learning experience and a bonding experience for a community. Idan has brought Israel and P2K to our minds and to our hearts. I now have synagogues calling asking  how they can do mitzvah projects for Arad/Tamar. These are synagogues that in the past had never even considered our partner region. Idan has helped many people understand Israel, plan trips, make aliyah, find programs, at all hours of the day and night he was an asset to members of our community.

Idan had a difficult time being here during the recent crisis, but for our community, and for Del., he was an asset. He gave interviews to both local Jewish and non-Jewish papers, spoke at rallies at the community centers and synagogues, and was an invaluable resource for us to understand the conflict. He gave us a face and a voice to relate to, and as always it was a voice of knowledge, filled with compassion and love for Israel.

For me personally, it has been an honor to work with Idan. I put supervisor in quotes, because I know we had a special work relationship where I learned as much as I guided.  I hope he learned from me, as I know I learned from him. I call Idan an invaluable colleague, and more important, he is a close friend who I admire greatly. Knowing how young Idan is, I am excited to see where his future takes him, and hope I can be a part of that future. Having family in Israel, and spending much of my time there, I knew little of Arad and Tamar. I know next time I come, I will spend quite a long visit there. He has ignited a passion in me for our partner region, which I can now use in my role in Federation He has shown me what a shaliach can accomplish and I am eager to continue and grow this work with our next shaliach. I must note Idan was so successful; it was due in part to his accomplishments that the community has requested a shaliach for a full year.

Idan has become part of our community, and now we are sad to see him leave. Luckily, we are a partnership, and we know that means that although Idan may not be 10 minutes away, he is still only an email or phone call away and will help with what he can, because that is Idan. He is always there for us. I thank the partnership for bringing Idan to us, and look forward to sharing this experience with another shaliach.

Respectfully and humbly yours,

Ronit Boyd