Only their eyes hinted at jetlag as ten energetic teens arrived from Israel at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County recently. And only their overstuffed backpacks and their jackets set these mostly first-time U.S. visitors apart from the local high schools students who rushed to greet them in the parking lot.

Over lunch made late by a flight delay and barely touched in the excitement, this year's participants in the Federation's Jewish Education Commission's (JEC) Jewish Roots Initiative began to mingle in new configurations. Adi Paz, 15, of Kiryat Bialik recognized friends made earlier when they stayed at her home during a class trip to Israel, and others just from Facebook.

Dr. Leon Weissberg, JEC Executive Director, leads a tour of the Holocaust Memorial on Miami Beach.

The Israeli teens talked excitedly about what they most looked forward to, with a clear consensus: going shopping and going to Universal Studios theme park, but during their week, their preferences and priorities changed quite unexpectedly.

"Now in its fourth year, this youth component of the Federation's exchange program within the framework of JAFI's Partnership 2000 has 40 local Roots teens," said Dr. Leon Weissberg, JEC Executive Director. "From Donna Klein Jewish Academy, Weinbaum Yeshiva High School, and other area public and private schools, they build a 'Gesher Chai,' a living bridge with students from the community's sister City, Kiryat Bialik."

"From local discussion groups, email, instant messaging, sharing photos and music, webcams, and Skype, all the way to actually sharing each other's homes and communities, they build enduring relationships," added Justin Pollack, JEC Teen Coordinator, "and the Florida teens really build enduring bonds with Israel."

"It's amazing to have real friends in Israel who are our age, who we are in touch with all the time electronically," said Amy Schwartzer, 16, a student at Donna Klein Jewish Academy. Schwartzer shared how even language is not a barrier, "When I visited Kiryat Bialik as part of the last 'class,' my host family knew no English. But I developed the best relationship of anyone. Through sign language and teaching each other, we got very close, and when my friend came here six months later, she'd learned a lot more English. Pretty soon, we'll be corresponding while she's in the Army."

Teens from Kiryat Bialik tour B'nai Torah Congregation

The week's schedule kept the Israeli teens moving through a whirlwind schedule of visits to local Orthodox, Conservative and Reform synagogues; schools; the Holocaust Memorial, a "Free the Captive Israeli Soldiers" rally, and a boat cruise in the Miami area; as well as shopping malls and time to get to know their South Palm Beach peers.

At their farewell dinner, the hugs and tears and contact information being entered into cell phones made the teens' new bonds unmistakable. And the consensus on the generally non-observant students' favorite activities had shifted dramatically to: a traditional Shabbat and time with their new American friends.

"I loved Shabbat," said Rotem Greshler, 17. "It was so peaceful and stress free, so different from home where we try to get a lot done on the only day we're not in school." Others echoed this sentiment, and added that Shabbat gave them time to "just get to know each other." Several particularly enjoyed the Sephardic service they attended at Boca Raton Synagogue, connecting spiritually as never before with the "shared prayer and beautiful melodies."

And what did they recommend more of for future exchanges? "More free time to get to know each other," as they did on the boat ride that "really brought us together."

They will have that opportunity when they come together again when the South Palm Beach teens share their Kiryat Bialik peers' homes and community this spring.

Kiryat Bialik and South Palm Beach County teens pose while saying good-bye until they meet again in Israel this spring.