David and Cynthia Shapira, Pittsburgh UJF community leaders visited the Karmiel-Misgav region on September 17-18 within the framework of the Jewish Agency sponsored "Partnership 2000" program.

The visit included a meeting with Adi Eldar, Karmiel's mayor and chairman of the Local Authorities Union, Hanna Kovel, Karmiel City Manager and Leviah-Shalev-Fisher, the municipality's press spokeswoman. During their visit to the city, the couple visited with a group of sculptors who have created a unique sculpture garden in a former rock quarry, now the "Hagalil" City Park, and heard from the artists about their works.

From there David and Cynthia visited the Women's Health Center and met with Tammy Kenton, the center's director who presented an overview of the center's activities. Later that day they visited the Karmiel Children's Village and met for dinner with fellows from the "GaliLead", the Arab-Jewish Galilee Leadership Development Project.

On the second day of their visit, the Shapiras visited the Misgav Regional Council and met with Ron Shani, the council's mayor, Eti Levy, the council's manager and Nirit Segal, press spokeswoman who accompanied their guests on a visit to the region's Emergency Preparedness Center located at the Tardion Industrial Park. There they met with Zadok Yiftach, Director of Public Safety for the regional council and reviewed the center's equipment and the various scenarios for its activation in a regional crisis.

From there David and Cynthia moved on to visit with members of Kibbutz Eshbal where they learned about the various educational programs being conducted on the kibbutz and by its members.

From there the couple concluded their busy schedule with a visit to Kishorit, a village for life, for people with special needs.