KARMIEL, lsrael -- A decade of marriage is reason to celebrate.

The people of Karmiel and the Misgav region in northern Israel put on a celebration to remember on Monday in honor of the 10th anniversary of their marriage to Pittsburgh in the Jewish Agency For Israel's Partnership 2000 program.

Hundreds of Karmiel and Misgav residents who have benefited from Partnership 2000 programs filled Karmiel's cultural center for an event that featured an Israeli pop band, local youth dancers, and a video screen that simultaneously showed pictures from Karmiel, Misgav and downtown Pittsburgh.

More than 80 people came to Israel from Pittsburgh on three separate missions that each revolved around the celebration in Karmiel. The hosts treated their guests from Pittsburgh to a festive meal and thanked them for making the partnership a success.

"I remember that when we started Partnership 2000 10 years ago we didn't know what to expect, but the shidduch went well," Karmiel Mayor Adi Eldar told the crowd. "We met wonderful people who turned into good friends. I feel closeness and friendship and one of the highlights of my difficult job as mayor is the nachas I get from the meetings with you. I hope we will be together for many, many more years."

Misgav Mayor Erez Kreisler joked that he remembered being at "the first meeting when we were young, blonde and pretty." He said that the Partnership enabled Misgav to reach many goals, but that there are still many needs that should be met, both in Israel and in Pittsburgh.

The hosts of the event were Partnership 2000 co-chairs David Ainsman and Scott Mann. Ainsman's wife Meryl, who is also a co-chair, told the crowd that Pittsburgh's partnership is considered a model.

"Even though I am 6,000 miles away from Pittsburgh, I feel like I am home," she said. "Partnership 2000 enables us to fulfill the dream of Diaspora Jews to connect to the land of our forefathers. This is just one more step in the ongoing inexplicable bond between Israel and the Jewish people."

United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh President and CEO Jeffrey Finkelstein said that the highlight of the event was seeing old friends he has made over the past decade.

"We have been lucky having partners in Karmiel and Misgav who have been so welcoming, warm and wonderful," Finkelstein said. "When it comes down to it, it's not about the projects we fund, it's about the relationships that people in Pittsburgh formed with the people here. It's a two-way street and a living bridge."

Finkelstein led a group of 52 people from the Lev Society, who toured Israel's historic, cultural and spiritual sites and UJF-funded projects. The group met with counselors on the Ethiopian National project who coach at-risk kids in high school to help them succeed.

They also attended Israel Memorial Day and Independence Day events, visited the beseiva tovah program that provides food and medicine for seniors, dedicated a fire truck the UJF donated through the Israel Firefighters Association, and honored the late Karen Shapira.

Shapira, whose husband David attended the mission, was instrumental in the UJF's Israel emergency appeal - that purchased the fire truck - and in developing Partnership 2000 projects. Kreisler noted that her presence was missed at the event.

"Karen was more than a friend, she was a partner and a leader with tremendous presence," Kreisler said. "She pushed and she made the difference. The partnership without Karen will not be the same."