Dr. Liat Ben David, Director General, Jewish Agency Israel Department, Yitzhak Blonder, manager of the Northern District in the Jewish Agency and Yael Raich, regional manager.

"Zionism is alive and well and living in Israel" - says Dr. Liat Ben David, Director General, Jewish Agency Israel Department, on a visit to Kibbutz Eshbal.

Dr. Liat Ben David visited Kishorit and Kibbutz Eshbal.

She was deeply impressed by the educational work being carried out in both locations, and declared that "the members of Kibbutz Eshbal, who fulfill the value of hagshama by settling in a peripheral region (the Galilee), leading a communal life and engaging in professional activities of Zionist values education, are the true soul of Zionism."

The members of Kibbutz Eshbal are educators, graduates of the Noar Haoved Vehalomed youth movement, who conduct informal education activities in the region - in schools, youth movements, Misgav communities, etc.

They operate a successful residential facility for pupils who dropped out of the regular educational frameworks, many of them new immigrants.

The first class of pupils has already graduated after four years of studies in the facility, and most of its members have been successfully integrated in the army.

In preparation for the next class, the Jewish Agency assisted in renovating the buildings for the benefit of the pupils and educators.

During the visit, a festive ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the renovations.

  Elul 5764 - September 2004