A group of approximately 40 Pittsburgh young people visited the Karmiel-Misgav region during the week of July 11-17 within the framework of the Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000 program.

Prior to their departure from Pittsburgh, the young people participated in a "Counselor in Training" (CIT) orientation that was highlighted by their 2 week visit to Israel. Immediately upon the conclusion of their visit to Israel, the new counselors will be sent to work at the various Pittsburgh JCC summer camps.

They arrived at their Karmiel-Misgav destination on Friday July 11, 2008 for a weeklong visit. The group was hosted by some 20 of their counterparts from the region, most of whom were members of Karmiel's City Youth Council or the Misgav Regional High School Student Council. That same evening they were invited to an evening of rock organized by the Karmiel City Youth Council in which a number of local rock groups performed.

The week of their visit included a variety of interesting and enjoyable activities. They toured the Golan Heights and an IDF base, went white water rafting down the Jordan River, conducted outdoor training activities and toured various streams and estuaries of the Kinneret and even went ice-skating. In order to examine their counseling skills and determine their readiness as camp counselors, the group conducted an "American Sports Day" for campers at the Megadim Day Camp at Karmiel's Megadim Community Center.

In addition, the group participated in a workshop in which they dealt questions relating to their Jewish identities, Israeli and American. At the Misgav Regional Council, the group was met by Ron Shani, the region's mayor for an overview of the region.

From there they toured the Ma'ale Zvia, a unique residential community in the Misgav region. In Karmiel, they were received by Hanna Kovel, the city's city manager for a brief explanation about the city and its municipality.

While in the region, the group was accompanied by Yuval Kisus, executive director of the Megadim Community Center and Michal Ben Aaron from Misgav.