Women's Health, a new program in the framework of the Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000, was launched last week when a group of ten women from South Palm Beach County visited Kiryat Bialik. They spent four amazing days with 10 women from Kiryat Bialik; together they visited various places in and out of the city and met the Mayor, Dr. Rafi Wertheim, who introduced them to Kiryat Bialik's history and demographics and gave them a tour of Beit Yad LaBanim (local memoriam hall).

The partnership between Kiryat Bialik and the Jewish Federation of SPBC was established some 5 years ago and operates various projects in the fields of Jewish education, culture and welfare. The main goal of the current program is to create a Living Bridge between women of both communities and seek together avenues for joint activities in the field of women's health and wellness, which is a shared interest for all.

The joint group shared several thought-provoking as well as emotional experiences throughout the week: from an enlightening lecture on positive thinking from Prof. Tal Ben Shahar, IDC-Hertzliya, to meeting with the active women's forum of Karmiel-Misgav-Pittsburgh P2K, to visiting the Z'vulun Women's Health Center and several social programs in Kiryat Bialik and Kiryat Yam. In four days, participants from the two sides of the ocean developed tremendously close friendships.

An afternoon of home hospitality gave the guests a chance to meet their new friends' families and become even more familiar with their everyday life. "This is not another tourists' visit - this is the real Israel", American participants said; "The term 'Sister City' has now become literal, since we have new sisters."

The successful encounter was concluded with a festive event honored by KB Mayor, Dr. Rafi Wertheim. Mr. Gidi Shilo, Steering Committee co-chair, and members of the committee welcomed the guests, as well as Mr. Eshel Fram, Partnership Director for the Jewish Agency.

The Bialik Youngsters Group and musicians from the local conservatory performed in music and dance and everyone was overwhelmed by their talent and spirit. Farewell the next day was really hard for all participants, who are now looking forward excitedly to seeing each other again in Florida, in March 2008.