Commander - it was fun! This was how Shimon, from the Havat HaShomer army base, summarized the planting ceremony where members of his division joined students of the ORT School and youth from the Partnership 2000 Noar L'noar Youth Group.

The special connection between Beit Shean and the Havat HaShomer army base starts in Cleveland. The Cleveland Jewish, in addition to its wide-ranging activities in Jewish Agency Partnership 2000 and the Community Foundation, invests in other projects throughout Israel.

At the Havat HaShomer army base, the soldiers have an opportunity besides army training, to complete their education. A few years ago, Cleveland donated a computer classroom in the army base, and since then the community has a warm and continuing connection with the soldiers and commanders on the base.

On Sunday, a division from Havat HaShomer arrived in Beit Shean for a special and moving planting ceremony. The soldiers joined the Noar L'noar youth and together planted trees along Nahal Harod. A second group of soldiers went to ORT school in Beit Shean. Shmulik Afuta from ORT Clali told the soldiers about the afternoon programs he directs in the school and promised the soldiers that the students will take care of the trees that they'll plant together with the soldiers at the school until they graduate.

Anat Sharvit, Jewish Agency Partnership 2000 manager, lauded the new connection, noting the symbolism of it being started by planting a tree. Rivka, the Havat HaShomer Commander, emphasized the connection between the Jewish people and its country and land, thanking the participants and organizers.

The day ended with a spontaneous soccer game between the soldiers and students - all of whom promised to continue the connection.

Shvat 5764 - February 2004