Picture - from left: Dr. Rafi Wertheim, Dr. Leon Weissberg, Marilyn Nachman, Eshel Fram, Ami Reuven

A delegation of teachers from the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County visited Kiryat Bialik as part of an Educators Exchange project, within the framework of the Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000. They were hosted by a group of Kiryat Bialik's middle school principals and teachers, led by Ami Reuven, Head of the Education Dept. and P2K Steering Committee member, and facilitator Chaim Feder. The joint group had met last December in Florida and everyone was indeed happy to reunite and spend a few days of productive work, as well as fun and joy, together in Israel.

Operating this year for the 3rd time, Educators Exchange is a proven success in the partnership between SPBC and KB. It brings teachers - first from elementary schools, then early childhood, and now the middle schools - to create educational programs, learn from each other and establish tight, long-lasting bonds. While the former delegations dealt mostly with themes of Jewish heritage and identity, this year the focus was shifted to creating a joint curriculum dealing with democracy, government and 20th-century conflicts. Participants from both communities held workshops and discussions comparing differences and similarities between the democracies of Israel and the United States. Additionally, they took tours in KB's two middle schools and participated in some of the many end-of-the-year parties and ceremonies characterizing this time of year.

In a concluding evening event, joined also by a delegation of Federation staff, KB Mayor, Dr. Rafi Wertheim, commended the continuously growing partnership of the two communities. Eshel Fram, Partnership Director for the Jewish Agency, pointed out that the unique relationships developed in this partnership, both personal and professional, are quite outstanding among partnerships all over Israel. Ami Reuven invited to the stage two dear friends, colleagues and partners, whose contribution to the educational programs is unique and priceless: Dr. Leon Weissberg, Director of the Jewish Education Commission, and Marilyn Nachman, Director of Professional Development. "Thanks to the teachers' exchange program, every student, parent and teacher appreciates the connection between Boca Raton and Kiryat Bialik", said Reuven. Together with Mayor Wertheim and Eshel Fram, he presented Dr. Weissberg and Mrs. Nachman with awards of appreciation for their significant contribution to the partnership and to KB's educational system. The two educators were deeply moved and said that credit for the success of this wonderful partnership should indeed go to everyone involved on both sides. "Like Joshua and Caleb in their time, we believed in the good country and succeeded to realize our dream", said Weissberg.

KB's representative dance troupe the Bialik Youngsters, gave a wonderful performance to the delight of the audience. A few days before this event, another group of teachers from Boca - first timers in Israel - visited KB. They enjoyed an extraordinary performance from another local group, the music conservatory's choir, Villanella; following that they were hosted in the homes of teachers from the community. Without a doubt, every such encounter tightens the connections between KB and SPBC's educational systems, as well as the two communities at large.