Congressman Ron Klein Highlights Visit at Jewish Federation

The distance of 6,500 miles presents no obstacle to twenty Jewish educators from South Palm Beach County and its Israeli sister city within the framework of JAFI's Partnership 2000 - in their latest teachers exchange project or in developing close relationships. The recent working visit by teachers and principals from Kiryat Bialik, a growing area near Haifa, was only one step in the third such collaboration between educators from the two communities.

"Responding to teachers' requests, and in celebration of Israel's milestone 60th anniversary, this time we've engaged our congregational and day school teachers with their Israeli peers to develop a middle school level civics and contemporary history curriculum," explained Marilyn Nachman, Professional Development and Education Resource Center Director for the Jewish Education Commission (JEC) of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, which is co-sponsoring the project with Federation's Israel and Overseas Committee.

"We are extremely proud and excited that it will be used in both here and in Kiryat Bialik, and made available to others as well," continued Nachman. Written for both communities, the curriculum will cover independence and formation of the government, and 20th century conflicts and leadership. "And it will expand our 'Gesher Chai,' Living Bridge, with our sister city for both the educators and students," she explained. "While working together, the teachers build relationships. And the curriculum will be taught simultaneously here and in Kiryat Bialik, with students from each community working together on projects."

Congressman Ron Klein with Jewish Education Commission Executive Director Dr. Leon Weissberg, Education Resource Center Director Marilyn Nachman, visiting educators from Kiryat Bialik, and local day school spokespersons

The educators met first in Washington, DC, before returning together to Florida for several busy days of workshops and planning. The educators met with AIPAC leadership and with the Religious Action Center in DC to learn how to influence public policy, and toured sites relevant to creating their curriculum. Kiryat Bialik school principal Avigaiel Greenberg shared an experience the Israelis found deeply moving, "Especially because many of us are children of survivors, we were amazed and deeply gratified to see such a huge Holocaust Memorial Museum in the U.S. We were moved to tears seeing all the diverse people so powerfully affected there."

Back at the Jewish Federation, Congressman Ron Klein provided a highlight of the trip with a personalized civics lesson for the Israeli teachers, along with the eighth grade students of Donna Klein Jewish Academy and Hillel Day School of Boca Raton. "Fortunately there is very strong support of Israel in the U.S, but Jews are only 2% of the American population," Klein explained in the interactive assembly. "It is up to us to keep up the drumbeat to make and maintain allies among Democrats and Republicans, Jews and non-Jews, who recognize Israel's moral and strategic value - as our true ally, as the only true democracy in the Middle East, and as a true sharer of our Judeo-Christian values." He went on to discuss the importance of working to affect public policy, and some ways to do this.

The Israeli teachers were grateful for the lesson in advocacy. They also lauded a local workshop by the Anti-Defamation League's Yael Hershfield. "Learning about how Israel is portrayed in the media, and about Jews and their experiences worldwide was powerful and frightening - especially the situation in Venezuela and the dangers of the Iran regime," said one first time visitor to the U.S. "The reality is that we must all work together to acknowledge and fight anti-Semitism."

The Kiryat Bialik teachers also toured local day, congregational, and public schools, and experienced American Jewish life through home hospitality. "We are extremely impressed with the students' knowledge of Hebrew and connection to Israel, and how Jewish values and spirit are taught and carried out throughout the day in the local Jewish schools," said one teacher. "The students' Jewish pride is heartwarming and will make me feel stronger back in Israel. I will go back telling everyone how our community extends all the way to South Palm Beach County."

"The Jewish schools' enthusiastic participation and contributions show their deep commitment to building relationships with Israel. Kiryat Bialik has become a home away from home for many of our teachers," said Nachman. Donna Klein Jewish Academy, Hillel Day School of Boca Raton, B'nai Torah Congregation's Mirochnick Religious School, Temple Beth El's O'Brisky School of Living Judaism, and Temple Sinai's religious school are taking part in the current educator exchange, which includes seminars to enhance their overall programming in addition to their curriculum development.

Dr. Leon Weissberg, JEC Executive Director; Nachman; Ami Reuven, Kiryat Bialik Education dept Head; and Chaim Feder, educational facilitator, are leading the project, which will continue uninterrupted through videoconferencing, email, and a visit from the local educators to Kiryat Bialik in June.

The Jewish Education Commission, a department and beneficiary of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, provides Jewish learning opportunities for residents of all ages in the greater Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Highland Beach areas. Through Partnership 2000 (P2K), the Federation fosters and engages in exchanges and other projects to strengthen relationships with sister city Kiryat Bialik. Now in its 5th year, this local innovative "Living Bridge" improves the lives of many Israelis while invigorating local Jews to rededicate themselves to Judaism and Israel.

Congressman Ron Klein addresses visiting educators from Kiryat Bialik and 8th grade students from Donna Klein Jewish Academy and Hillel Day School of Boca Raton