As part of the Jewish Agency's Summer Shlichim Program and Partnership 2000

The children at the Levis JCC Day Camp in Boca Raton and their two counselors from Israel have brought each other more than they could have imagined this summer, across 6,500 miles. Rona Friefield and Ido Damari were part of a group of IDF soldiers selected to be counselors in the U.S. through the Jewish Agency's Summer Shlichim program.

Rona and Ido’s summer at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County is the latest successful interchange with Kiryat Bialik, the Federation's Sister City within JAFI's Partnership 2000 project. For seven years, the Partnership has forged a “Living Bridge” through professional, women’s and student exchanges and other projects that strengthen relationships between and enrich both Jewish communities. Thus, it seemed only natural when the Boca camp specifically requested that KB residents be appointed as their counselors.
 
Both serving as “specialist” counselors, they had contact with most campers. Rona, 20, taught all about Israeli culture. Ido, 21, conducted music classes and participated in the camp’s Oneg Shabbats on Friday afternoons (see photo).

“Our campers have made a phenomenal connection with Israel by having Rona and Ido as counselors here,” said Elinor Josephson, Levis JCC Camp Director. “Israel has become so much more than a concept, way beyond words the children see in a book or hear from a teacher. Through real Israelis sharing their daily lives, our homeland becomes a reality, not just a lesson.”

On arriving, the counselors couldn’t miss the profound bonds between SPBC and KB. Ido was recognized and welcomed by educators who collaborated (and still correspond with) his mother in the first Partnership 2000 Educators Exchange. Others know Ido’s father, a KB city council member. Rona’s cousins hosted students from Donna Klein Jewish Academy last spring, and she recognized local students who had been to KB on exchange visits.

Rona and Ido have formed their own close relationships with rotating local host families. Ido was overwhelmed that, “When I ran a high fever for several days, my host mother cared for me as my own mother would.” Rona was particularly impressed with a 90 year old grandmother of one of the families. “She is amazingly full of energy though in a wheelchair… It’s very hard to say good-bye, and I know I’ll invite them to my wedding,” Rona said.

Observing Jewish life in Florida has also left deep impressions. Both counselors were quite amazed to attend a Friday night service with a female rabbi in the pulpit and a band playing. While many in KB are not observant, those who are tend to be traditional. “There are real differences,” said Rona. “I’ve learned a lot, not only about the U.S. and this community, but also about myself and my own country. I’ve certainly learned that there are a lot more ways to be Jewish than I knew before.”

”The diversity of Jewish observance and awareness here really surprised me,” added Ido. ”Living in Israel, I had no idea how much harder it is to maintain Jewish identity and continuity in other places. Now I see how important it is to have these exchanges and for American Jews to visit Israel.”