Partnership 2000 was established in 1994 by the Jewish Agency for Israel, United Jewish Communities and Keren Hayesod/UIA. The program links Jewish communities abroad and regions in Israel in a mutual effort to strengthen Israeli society while promoting unity and Jewish identity. At present, 39 Israeli regions are linked to over 500 communities worldwide. Programs are planned and budgeted on an individual region basis and are approved by a regional steering committee composed of residents of the region and representatives of the linked communities from abroad.

The mountainous Confrontation Line sub-region sits along Israel's northern border with Lebanon, and incorporates the Shlomi municipal council, the Merom Hagalil and Ma'ale Yosef Regional Councils - comprised of 45 rural settlements, primarily moshavim. The region covers 450 square kilometers.

Urban centers serving the Confrontation Line's residents are Tzfat, Nahariya and Carmiel. Located in the geographic area are five non-Jewish local councils.

The region has several industrial and crafts centers, most specializing in agricultural processing and traditional industries. The region is relatively distant from major transportation routes and access is difficult, rendering it difficult to attract industries. Shlomi has several metalwork factories and seasonal packing plants.

Tourism is another extensive sphere of economic activity in this region, which has several sites of interest to tourists, such as the Tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar-Yohai, the Mt. Meron Nature Reserve, the National Park at Baram to the east, the Betzet and Keziv Streams, Montfort Fortress and Goren Park in the west. Rural accommodations have developed around these sites (especially in the Merom Hagalil region). The largest among them is at the vegetarian moshav Amirim, the pioneer of rural accommodations in the region, with 80 rooms.

Contact Us at:

phone: 04 9572967 9972073 9972074
fax: 04 9972188

(Israel)

Linda Futterman, Partnership Director - lindaf@jafi.org