Ten Pittsburgh area university students spent the first two weeks of Ausgust at Karmiel's ORT Braude Academic College of Engineering, participating in a project sponsored by the Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000 program.

The students, all chosen following a meticulous selection process from within the campuses of Pittsburgh's universities and colleges, arrived in the region to participate in a joint leadership development workshop together with students from the ORT Braude College.

The 11-day seminar included a series of lectures, leadership skills workshops, and tours throughout Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and the North of Israel in the footsteps of Israel's great leaders.

The students also met with the region's local political and business leadership such as Erez Kriesler, the mayor of the Misgav Regional Council, a young entrepreneur from the Tefen Industrial Park, and others.

According to Ofir Basevitch, one of the Israeli participants, "As Israelis, the workshop helped us better understand the American viewpoint and our change in perspective regarding American students. Furthermore, as a result of our living together and joint activities, we've seen a change in the way the Americans view Israel and its people, which is different from what they usually see on the TV screen."

Karen Shaft, a Pittsburgh resident and student of communications and journalism had the unique opportunity to accompany the press spokespersons of Karmiel and Misgav in order to prepare a series of special articles concerning the various projects (e.g. Nitzanim Day Camp, Project Dror and the Women's Forum) operating in the region and in part funded by Partnership 2000. The aim of this series is to enhance the program's exposure throughout the Pittsburgh community. The articles to be published in the community's newspaper, the Jewish Chronicle, www.pittchron.com, will describe the unique projects and relationship between the Karmiel-Misgav region and the Pittsburgh Jewish Community as facilitated with the help and support of the Greater Pittsburgh United Jewish Federation.