A delegation of 14 preschool educators from the Pittsburgh Jewish Community visited the Karmiel and Misgav partner communities this past July as part of the Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000 program.

This is the first time that a professional mission of kindergarten and nursery school teachers has come to the region for learning purposes.

The visiting teachers enjoyed the home hospitality provided by their colleagues from the region, toured various kindergartens and visited a number of educational centers that provide specialized services in the field of preschool education.

Furthermore, the teachers participated in a variety of workshops that dealt with issues related to Jewish holidays at Karmiel's Pedagogical Center and the "Gan Li" Pre-school Center in the Karmiel's Industrial Park.

The visiting educators and their hosts had the opportunity to enjoy a concert for pre-school children as part of the "MusiTaf" music appreciation series conducted in the Misgav region.

The guests summarized their visit as an unforgettable experience in which they received a tremendous amount of material and new ideas in everything related to the Jewish holidays, Israeli traditions and culture.

They further promised immediate implementation of their newly learned concepts in the Pittsburgh Jewish preschool system. Local area teachers also provided their guests with the variety of teaching accessories and aids that will help them successfully conduct their activities abroad.

Since 1995 the communities of Pittsburgh, Karmiel and Misgav have successfully conducted a mutual partnership within the framework of the Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000 program.