"To Believe, to Influence and to Create a Change": Community Builders - sixth class begins!

The Community Builders program was established by Partnership 2000 of the Jewish Agency and Zionism 2000 in 1998 with a goal to promote civil activity in Education, Culture and Social Welfare by residents of the region trained to initiate within the community.

To present, over 100 graduates have been trained; some running unique programs and others taking part in community activities in the region.

This year's course, different from previous courses, will continue for a complete year from November through October, 2006; and will include six months of practicum (experience) with service providers from organizations in areas of Education, Culture and Social Welfare. The initiatives for projects this year will be based on needs in these areas and joint work between Community Builder participants and service providers from the different organizations.

The yearly course will include introductory learning about volunteerism, community leadership, practical tools for community initiatives, how to turn an idea into a continuing project that is needed, finding partners and budget sources. The participants will take part in a two day seminar in Jerusalem on volunteer leadership. Those who complete this year's course, and also prove significant community activity, will take part in a ten day seminar in Cleveland.

During the summer months, residents of the city and region applied for the sixth course, and 16 participants were chosen from the city and region after a meticulous process which included interviews by community and Municipality representatives, and Community Builder graduates.

Oshrat Barel is the Director of the program and leads it after being a Community Builder, herself, in the third class. She has a B.A. in Economics and an M.A. in Business Management and has experience in leading volunteer groups. Oshrat leads the program together with Miri Davidovitz, the program coordinator for the past seven years.

A Steering Committee was established which includes professionals, community and Municipality representatives and representatives of Community Builder graduates.