Thirty-nine students from the Western Galilee College recently received scholarships from the Israel Emergency Campaign monies that were contributed by the UJC Central Region Consortium and the other Central Area Consortium communities linked to the Western Galilee through Partnership 2000.

According to Dr. Yehuda Ben-Simon, the Western Galilee College Dean of Students, "This is the second year that the IEC monies have enabled us to give "Campus Security Scholarships" to eligible students. "Campus Security Scholarships" are granted in return for a student's commitment to contribute at least 190 hours per academic year assisting campus security personnel, serving as selectors at the campus's gates and conducting patrols across campus grounds. The idea for this type of scholarship was developed in 2002 shortly after the terrorist attack at the Hebrew University campus restaurant in Jerusalem. With the deterioration of the security situation, Israel's universities also became targets in the terrorists' eyes." he noted.

Ben Simon continues, "The students are the college's primary resource and provide an excellent response to our new on-campus security needs. This project allows us to further foster and encourage academic excellence together with a sense of communal responsibility. These funds provide much needed financial assistance to many area students and enable a large number of them to continue their post high-school education."

The idea was developed together with the Jewish Agency and the Partnership partnered communities. The UJC Central Region Consortium together with the other Consortium communities designated over $700,000 to particular security needs in the Western Galilee from their IEC campaigns.

Among the students selected as a scholarship recipient is Eli Lachiani, 25 from Akko. Eli is a tutor of young children, volunteers as a social guidance counselor at both the "Hermon" Correctional Institution and "Mazra" Psychiatric Hospital. Eli is a member of the Students' Association and a candidate for the body's vice chairmanship. He is active in the "Peace at Home" project, funded by the Jewish Agency, a program that encourages dialogue between the Jewish and Arab students on campus. During his service in the army in Lebanon he was wounded in action.

In the framework of the "Campus Security Scholarships" program, Eli also serves as a campus guard and received a promotion to the rank of "security coordinator". For his outstanding service to the community he will be presented with a Certificate of Excellence by Mr. Shimon Lankry, the Mayor of Akko.

Anna Litbin, age 25 immigrated to Israel from Siberia in 1996 as a high school student without her parents as part the Jewish Agency's "Na'ale" program. Following her army service, Anna entered "Shachar Ba'Galil", a project operated by the Jewish Agency only in the Western Galilee for newly released immigrant soldiers. The objective of this project is to strengthen the Galilee region by making it attractive to a younger and better-educated segment of the population through the appropriation of economic assistance to this sector of the population.

Anna is also among the recipients of a "Campus Security Scholarship" in return for her service as a campus security guard. Anna noted, "This scholarship has helped me significantly by allowing me to concentrate on my studies and aspire to high academic achievements."

In February 2004, as part of an Israel Police alertness exercise, Anna thwarted an "attempt" to plant a terrorist explosive device on campus. For her actions and for excellent service as a security volunteer she was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the Israel Police.

Partnership 2000 promotes people-to-people relationships between our Jewish community and Israel's Western Galilee through cultural, social, educational and economic programs. The UJC Central Region Consortium, along with 12 other cities in the central United States, is linked with the Western Galilee, located in the most northern part of Israel on (along) the Mediterranean coast.

  Iyyar 5764 - April 2004