Tova Dorfman-Jewish Federation of Detroit representative.Marty Rosenthal- chair of  Michigan steering commitee

Central Galilee Partnership 2000 is committed to the goal of advancing education in the region and helping students march forward into tomorrow's world.  Guided by this concept, it was decided to embark on a project for improving and strengthening English language learning—an important and essential tool for higher learning and career advancement.

The decision was to intervene in the early stages of language acquisition in order to prevent scholastic gaps occurring later in middle school and high school.  Partnership 2000 has recruited the Sacta-Rashi Foundation for the project as well as the Ministry of Education and the municipalities of Nazareth Illit, Migdal HaEmek, and Jezreel Valley.

The program is in its second year of activity in the fifth grade and up throughout the region and at middle schools in Migdal HaEmek and Jezreel Valley, its emphasis: English language literacy.  A basket of reinforcement hours was built for the program, making it possible for: students to receive extra lessons, teaching staffs to study teaching methods, and professional instructors to visit schools regularly and guide teachers and auxiliary staff.  All this is carried out in the formal education system.  At the same time, the program seeks to enrich language learning through various methods.  With this purpose in mind a spelling bee competition is held between schools, English language newspapers purchased, and an English corner placed in classrooms.

Today approximately 4,000 students participate in the program, which has won heaps of praise on the ground—for the progress being made by students as well as the program's positive effect on the self-image of many students plus the provision of added tools and knowledge for teachers.  Without a doubt, the program responds to a real need on the ground and fulfills the purpose for which it exists.