October 24, 2007 / 12 Cheshvan  5768

Click here for schedule of: 
Board of Governors' Plenary and Committee
AGENDAS 
October 28 – 30, 2007
Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem 

Site Visits

Board of Governors October 29, 2007 

Route 1
Moving Forward: An Inside Look at Israel Emergency Activities
Departure at 8:00 am 

The past few years have not been easy on Israel’s citizens. The 2005 disengagement from Gush Katif and Northern Samaria, the 2006 Lebanon War, and ongoing crisis in Sderot and Gaza Perimeter communities. For all the people affected by these emergencies, the Jewish Agency is providing assistance, relief, and hope.

Travel to the Eshkol region where you will meet with Gush Katif evacuees who have benefited from critical Jewish Agency initiatives including academic scholarships, business loans, and children’s recreational activities. Evacuated from their homes, these people now find themselves in the line of Kassam fire; the region is being hit nearly as often as Sderot and other Gaza Perimeter communities.

Hear their heroic stories, of how they are rebuilding their lives, moving past the hardship, and working through the difficulties. See the new settlement these evacuees have built and learn of the security conditions they are now experiencing. You will tour the exact location where missing soldier Gilad Shalit was kidnapped over one year ago, and meet with the community leaders who are guiding the evacuees through their new lives.

We will visit a gallery of evacuated Gush Katif artists located in Nitzan where you will be able to purchase their wares, hear their stories, and support them as they continue to move forward.

Route 2
Partnering with Purpose
Departure at 8:00 am

Partnering the Jewish world with the people of Israel is vital to securing the promises of our future. Nothing is more powerful than the impact of our collective action. Come see our efforts in action as we experience the Jewish Agency’s activities in the Northern city of Acco.

In one day, we will cross Israel’s history-looking at the past and experiencing the present and future. With a visit to Kibbutz Lochemi HaGetaot, we will learn about the Zionist pioneer spirit that built Israeli society. Visits to Acco’s Youth Futures and Ayalim Student Village. Meet participants of these programs and learn how our work is making a difference in the lives of Israel’s citizens. See how we are working today to build Israel’s tomorrow—providing transformative educational and social programs for children and young adults. We will also have lunch with a group of students who received educational scholarships made possible through the Israel Emergency Campaign allocations. These students are an integral part of rehabilitating the region and infusing new life into schools and communities

Route 3
Land of Opportunities
Departure at 10:30 am

Aliyah is a remarkable experience—one that is wrought with excitement and opportunity, joy and renewal. More than just bringing immigrants on aliyah, however, the Jewish Agency is committed to being there for them every step of the way, providing them with educational and social programs that facilitate their integration as Israel’s newest citizens.

On this one day tour you will experience the excitement that is the Jewish Agency’s vocational and educational programs for young immigrants, individuals who come from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds and are shaping Israeli society.

Visit the Calanit Absorption Center in Ashkelon and the Freidman Youth Village Ibim where you will meet young adults from around the world who have chosen to leave their families and build their lives in Israel. Ibim is located in Sderot—an area currently experiencing extreme security concerns. The Calanit Absorption Center is just a few minutes away… See how these students are managing in light of this extraordinary situation and appreciate what the Jewish Agency is doing to care for them.

Route 4
Transformative Israel Experiences
Departure at 10:30 am

Nothing can equal an Israel experience for building a Jewish identity. MASA is the definitive identity builder and the ultimate investment we can make to secure the Jewish future. Come experience this innovative partnership between the Jewish Agency, the Israeli government, worldwide Jewish communities, and hundreds of educational and experiential programs throughout Israel and see just how transformative these Israel experiences really are.

We will visit the new Young Judea campus in the Masua neighborhood of Jerusalem and meet the students who are currently on their year-long course in Israel. We will learn about their volunteer activities and participate in one of the many programs that take place on campus. We will also go to Midreshet Amit where we will see how young volunteers from abroad are learning and volunteering side-by-side with their Israeli peers to improve the lives of special needs children. Our last stop will be to the Government Fellows Program at the Begin Heritage Center. This program is a unique opportunity for young people from abroad, interested in politics and government, to experience Israel’s dynamic political scene.