Like every year, we once again find ourselves prodding and pushing a tearful group of teenagers onto the bus because it's time to say goodbye and get moving! And like every year, we are amazed at the immediate, warm and wonderful bonding that can only occur among youth…..

"Living Bridge" is an ongoing program of some 4 weeks length during the summer. During this time a group of American Jewish youth aged 16-17 from our partner community in the U.S., West Palm Beach, Florida, come to Israel for touring, learning and experiencing the Jewish state in all its facets. One full week is devoted to the Tzahar region, and especially for the "Ambassadors".

The "Ambassadors" are a group of twenty-one 16 and 17 year-olds from Tzfat, Hatzor and Rosh Pinna that include a nucleus of high-quality, complex youth with true leadership potential. Carefully selected and trained during a long and rigorous process, these 21 individuals form the final diverse yet unified and assertive group.

During their week in the Tzahar area (July 1st-7th), the American youth are hosted by their "Ambassador" peers in their homes, with hosts and guests participating in a full program of fun, learning and enrichment in northern Israel.

In December, 2008, the Ambassadors from Tzahar will travel to West Palm Beach for a reciprocal visit to their American friends, where they will be hosted for 10 days in local homes. They will initiate and participate in a wide range of social, educational and community activities together with their American hosts, and deal with subjects like Jewish identity in Israel and America and everything else that unites Israeli and American Jewish youth.

This is always a one-in-a-lifetime experience for all involved, and no year goes by without new friendships being forged and renewed, including constant intercontinental e-mail, telephone and even video contact long after the formal programs have ended.

The project is being operated by Dusi Ben-Hertzel from Rosh Pina and Sofi Rosh from Hatzor, that not too many years ago was an ambassador herself.

And once again, like every year before, one cannot help but shed a tear at this sight of true Jewish brotherhood, especially when it's time to say Shalom…..