Pittsburgh' partnership' chair people, With Adi Eldar, Mayor of Karmiel Municipality

On Thursday November 30, 2006  the Joint Steering Committee of Partnership 2000 composed of representatives from Karmiel, Misgav and Pittsburgh, in cooperation with the Jewish Agency ended their winter session during which a $575,000 budget was approved for the implementation of a variety of socio-economic projects and other programs aimed as strengthening the relationship with the Pittsburgh Jewish Community.

During the 3-day session, the Pittsburgh Community was represented by Sandy and Lou Kushner, the newly appointed Pittsburgh Partnership Chairpersons, Meryl and David Ainsman, the outgoing chairpersons, UJF staff members and volunteers and activists from the Pittsburgh P2K Programs.

The Israeli side was represented by Scott Mann, the Israeli Partnership Co-chairman from Misgav, Roma Manor and Hanna Kovel, the City Managers of Misgav and Karmiel, respectively, Yael Raich, the JA Partnership Regional Director and members of the Israeli Steering Committee. The region's mayors, Adi Eldar and Erez Kriesler thanked the Pittsburgh partners for their extensive support and assistance during the difficult period that the region faced through the Second War in Lebanon and the days following.

The Steering Committee discussed the programs planned for the coming year, in the areas of education, community services and economic development as well as the relationship between the communities. Accompanied by Adi Eldar, mayor of Karmiel and Chairman of the Israel Local Authorities Union the visitors toured throughout Karmiel, visiting shelters, sites damaged by Katyusha attacks, MATI Lev Hagalil and City Hall. The next day the group met with Erez Kriesler, Mayor of the Misgav Regional Council and toured the region, including an overlook on the community of Camun, a visit to the modern and well-maintained Kamana Elementary School, where the members were highly impressed by the efforts being made to promote the Bedouin population in Misgav.

Throughout the coming year, numerous Pittsburgh missions are expected to visit the region, between them two mega-missions: the first mission is an 80-member delegation scheduled to arrive at the beginning of May for a visit and to participate in the Hila Bagalil Walk for Health. The other large delegation is a 60-member delegation composed of young people from grades 9-11 that will arrive in the region during the month of July and participate in the joint summer camp together with 20 of their counterparts from the region.

 The delegation visits at Kamane , with Erez Kreisler, Mayor of Misgav Regional Council

Visit at Karmiel Municipality