Four volunteers from the Jewish communities in Washington and South Africa are currently working in Beit Shemesh as part of the volunteer program of the Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000 project. The volunteers are involved in a variety of activities: assistance to residents from the North who were staying in Beit Shemesh during the recent fighting; working as counselors in summer camps; volunteer work in the Day Center for the elderly and in the local libraries; and even writing for the local newspaper.

In view of the deteriorating security situation in Israel, Jacob Lerner, an 18-year old from Washington, decided to come to Israel to do his share. Within a few days, Jacob was already on the plane to Israel and finally Beit Shemesh. Jacob is no stranger to Beit Shemesh - last March he visited us with his class from Charles E. Smith High School in Washington. They came to Beit Shemesh-Yehuda Plains for a joint weekend with local youth.

Within a few days, Jacob had fit right in as one of the staff at the LeMitnadev summer camp. He and a local youth worked as counselors with the Grade 5-6 campers. Among the campers were about 30 from the North who found refuge in Beit Shemesh. Jacob spent the afternoon hours at the Benyamin Children's Library where he helped kids with English, math and even some Hebrew. At the library, Jacob had the chance to meet children of olim from Ethiopia and children from the North who were staying at the Meyerhoff Community Center. The group activity gave the children a break from routine and some rest for their harried parents. The children warmly accepted Jacob and were able to learn some English from him and to teach him some Hebrew as well. They made him farewell cards wishing him success in his efforts to learn Hebrew.

Jacob has recently been joined by three more volunteers from South Africa. One is Mike Cherney, a 21-year old who has just completed his journalist internship at The Star newspaper.
Mike will write for the Conscience magazine and will help build a therapeutic park at the Indianapolis House Day Center for the elderly.

Elida Shultz and Eina Van Dan Hibber are two energetic volunteers in their fifties who came to work with Golden Agers in the city. They do volunteer work at Indianapolis House and at the Melabev Center for Alzheimer's patients. The combination of volunteers from the two Partnership communities of varying age groups has created a unique and rich synergy.

For additional information and hosting with families: 054-4535140 Dalitn@jafi.org