As the last candle of the Chanukah holiday smolders into a tiny stream of smoke, the Jewish community of Atlantic and Cape May Counties remains aglow in the aftermath of the recent visit of guests from Arad/Tamar, our Partnership 2000 region in Israel. 

Let’s get the language right:  Partnership 2000 is not a “sister city” relationship.  It is much deeper and much more complex.  It is far more than a relationship of convenience.

And let’s get the geography right:  Arad is a beautiful oasis of a city, not far from the Dead Sea and Masada;  Tamar is a region which encompasses beautiful and historic cities, kibbutzim and moshavim, all at the epicenter of Israel’s chemical and mineral businesses and industries.

Just last year, professionals from various Federation constituent agencies had visited Arad/Tamar for the first stage of this exchange.  Now it was the reverse, and the “reunions” between those who traveled there last year, and those now visiting were heartwarming.  

The delegation, comprised of seven professionals from Arad/Tamar,  spent several days in our region. Their expertise ranged from working in music, theatre and the arts, to social services, matters involving the elderly, youth at risk, and the disabled.  While here, they visited BERON Jewish Older Adult Services where they met and dined with senior citizens who frequent that facility. They spent time at Seashore Gardens Living Center, touring that outstanding facility and meeting with its top staff and residents.  They toured Stockton College and its Holocaust Resource Center, and reacquainted with “Arad fellows” who had earlier traveled to Arad/Tamar.  They traveled to the Sam Azeez Museum of Woodbine Heritage to learn that area’s unique story of immigration and triumph.  They spent quality time with the children of the Jewish Community Day School and our Jewish Community High School.  They visited area synagogues. They met one-on-one with key strategic partners.  They were hosted by colleagues at Jewish Family Service and participated in a moving Healing Service.   They were housed by local families who offered that special welcome only available in a home setting, fulfilling the biblical mitzvah of  hachnasat orchim—the welcoming guests.

By the end of the short visit and the intensive discussions which accompanied the various meetings, a starter-list of potential joint projects evolved including:

• Combined planning of film festivals and cultural programs
• Exchange programs for music and drama
• Use of the internet to connect youth and teens
• Strategic partnering and information exchange
• More intensive and program-specific exchange visits and missions

The visit was an outstanding success.  Yes, the Partnership 2000 relationship is strong and growing.  But there is an added dimension to the relationship that goes beyond commitment and friendship.  It is an ingredient which cannot be fabricated or manufactured.  It is a rare and enduring gift:

Compatibility.

At Chanukah time, we are used to saying, “Nes gadol hayah sham.  A great miracle happened there.”

Thanks to our friends in Arad/Tamar, a great miracle happened right here.