From Na'im Be'yahad - (Pleasant Being Together) - Partnership 2000 Volunteer Newsletter, Writer and Editor: Israel Perez. Translation: Dorit Tavori

The chairman of the Jewish Federations of Detroit, Michael Horowitz and Marty Rozental, one of the most outstanding volunteers of "Partnership 2000" in Detroit, joined by the wife of one of the members of the Detroit Jewish Community, paid a solidarity visit to the area. This visit took place following the difficult security situation, which developed recently in our region. During this period the "Partnership 2000" office received numerous calls from worried volunteers and members of the Michigan Jewish Community. Limor Regev, regional manager of "Partnership 2000", conveyed messages concerning the situation. In addition to calls from people expressing their worries we tried to convey the feeling that this situation cannot last, since Jews and Arabs have to continue living together in the future. The two community leaders who recently visited the area met with the mayors of the local communities: Menachem Ariav, Eitan Broshi and Eli Barda, informing them about the current situation in the area and the way it is handled. The mayor of Nazareth Illit, Menachem Ariav, told them about the first days during which the inhabitants of Nazareth Illit were under siege, which was forced upon them by the surrounding Arab villages. Ariav expressed his worries that this situation may recur in the future.

Head of the Yizre'el Valley Regional Council, Eitan Broshi, also expressed his worries concerning the situation but emphasized that we have to participate actively to return the situation to the way it was previously, while working towards peaceful coexistence. Broshi raised the idea that "Partnership 2000" could initiate several projects aiming to improve coexistence between people living in the area, improving the quality of life in the North. Michael Horowitz, chairman of the budgetary committee told them that members of the Michigan community are worried about the situation. He also said that during his visit to he became aware that the media often present a situation that is worse than the reality. In addition, he said that he would convey these feelings to the leaders of the Michigan community.

  Tevet 5761 - January 2001