The document summarizes activities from the Youth Futures program in Arad, Israel, which is funded by a partnership between communities in Arad/Tamar and New Jersey/Delaware. It describes events over the 2010-2011 school year that involved 160 youth participants, including opening a library, decorating benches, and ecological workshops. It also discusses Israeli youth representing the partnership at the Maccabi Games in the United States and the involvement of youth in National Service programs in Arad.

1. Our
Youth Futures - For Our Children
ARAD - TAMAR Leah Samuch Tal, Program Director in Arad
NEW JERSEY
Partnership
DELAWARE
Youth Futures is a Jewish Agency national program is used as a relaxation place during the breaks in the
for children and youth. The program's main goal is school day; Benches throughout Arad were decorated
to reduce disparities by providing the participants by the program's children as a contribution to the
December 2011 equal opportunities in education and excellence. community in which they live in; An exhibition of
The program allows children to develop their abilities characters from famous stories, made by the middle
through empowerment and encouragement and school children of plasticine and beads, was shown
Partnership2GETHER New Jersey/Delaware-Arad/Tamar build self-confidence and capability with the help of
adults called "trustees", who work with them, both
at the city library; Creative and studies workshops
during the holydays vacation, as well as a visit the
individually and in groups, in cooperation with the
educational and welfare entities. Arad fire station, field activities at the Yeruham Lake
From the Partnership Director's Chair The 2010-11 school year was the program's fourth
year in Arad, with some 160 participants. The year was
with a carpet, cushiony seats and chairs, all of which
and a ceremony at an Air Force Base during which
new pilots received their certification. We would like
full of activities, combining education and enjoyment contribute to the pleasant atmosphere; An Ecological to thank the Heiman Foundation and the Jewish
The Jewish Agency's Our partnership is between the city of Arad and the members, and they want to be involved and provide
such as opening a library for the program's children, Community Garden was established at the Ort high Federation of Central New Jersey, without whose
Partnership 2000 project Tamar Regional Council (at the Dead Sea) with a few real assistance in the region's development.
first began operating in Jewish federation in New Jersey and Delaware in thanks to the generous donation of Bank Hapoalim. school by middle school children participating in generous support, this program would not be able
This past year was full of activities, which about
the 90s, based upon the United States. The partnership was established some you can read in this issue. We are eagerly In addition to the books, the library was equipped the program, their friends and trustees. The garden to carry on.
the concept of uniting more than 16 years, and we are proud to be a part
communities and of this success. The goal of our partnership is, to
looking forward to the new year and everything
that it will bring. The Elite Youth
organizations from all
over the world with
be a partnership that aims to work for a better
future, particularly for our children, in both sides
I would like to thank the Arad Municipality and the
Tamar Regional Council, for their cooperation, and Hall of Fame - Here We Come… Spending National
the State of Israel. Over
the years the project
of the ocean.
Throughout the years our partnership has helped
the Steering Committee members, volunteers and Service Year in Arad
professional, in Israel and abroad, for dedicating were hosted at the homes of families from the
developed and progressed and changed its name to make the Arad-Tamar region stronger, by funding so much of their valuable time in order to achieve community and were very warmly welcomed and
Partnership2Gether. In order to focus on its Jewish projects in various fields, such as: education and were spoiled by many treats and outings, such as
and promote the goals the Partnership. Special
connections and on the unity of the communities, community, economic and tourism development, a trip to the Six Flags amusement park, where they
thanks to our partner communities in New Jersey
a new and unique logo was designed, containing a empowerment of women and the most important rode the scariest and craziest roller coasters, which
and Delaware, without whom we would not have
number of small Jewish stars which together create subject: strengthening and expending the ties with were of course the most fun!
been able to achieve all of this wonderful work.
one big Magen David, as can be seen at the top the people at our partner communities. And indeed,
After four days of getting to know the rest of the
right hand side of this page. Currently there are 44 we feel that our partners in the other side of the
Nili Avrahami Atlantic delegation members, they set out for the
partnerships, uniting over 550 Jewish communities ocean, see Arad and Tamar as the home away from
Maccabi games, to the competitions in Springfield,
all around the world with regions in Israel. home of each and every one of the federation's Partnership Director Tsameret is the Hebrew word for treetop. It is often
to join some 750 young participants from all over use to express the elite of something or someone.
The Maccabi games for youth takes place in the
the world. Tsameret is also the name or an organization in
Climbing to New Heights United States every summer. For over a decade,
athletes from Arad and Tamar have participated in One of the basketball games in which Noy and Israel that have a special program for high school
these games, as part of the delegations from our Nadav participated was held in the basketball Hall graduators, who postponed their army service in
Mor Nadler, Director of the College for All Center in Arad
The Return of the For the past four years the College for All has
partner communities in New Jersey and Delaware
to the games.
of Fame, which was a special event, not experienced
by many basketball players.
order to volunteer in the community.
Shira, Leah, Yael, Liran, Tehila, Shir, Gilad and Shaul
Emissary been running a center in Arad, which aims to
help children to realize their abilities and even to
This year, the games took place in Springfield, Tal, Nadav and Noy fit in with the Atlantic are such young people, meaning the elite of the
youth who finished their National Service year in
Massachusetts. We received a request from the delegation very well, and proved once again that
Abir Malianker from Arad, who served as the achieve excellence. The College for All Association is Arad. They left behind lots of amazing activities and
Katz JCC in Atlantic Cape May for three teens to the children of Arad are outstanding and can
Partnership's shaliach to Central operating 25 centers in cities and towns, working to achievements, and many people who will miss them.
join their delegation to the game. Noy Raskin and represent us with great respect.
New Jersey, recently completed reduce social disparities, and helping children from In September, the third year of the Tsameret National
Nadav Okanin represented us in basketball, and Special thanks to Jack Fox and the JCC of Atlantic Service year in Arad began, a project funded by the
a year of shlichut and came back the geographic and social periphery of Israel, by
to his first home in Arad. Abir Tal Amar in tennis, chaperoned by Yoram Egozy, a Cape May Counties for funding and hosting our Partnership. This year there are 10 young people:
way of a high level comprehensive multidisciplinary
did outstanding work in the sports teacher at the Arad Ort High School. They wonderful athletes. Yishay, Shani, Tsahala, Itai, Chen, Lia, Sivan, Hadar
educational program. The program includes
community in bringing people reinforcement and expansion upon the core subjects and Ravid. In the mornings they help out in the
closer together, deepening Schools all over the city, and in the afternoon they
Jewish roots and reinforcing the ties to Israel among
studied at school, personal empowerment, social
involvement and generally broadening horizons in
participation of College for All students from all over Counterpoint Israel continue their great work at the youth clubs, the
our partners on the other side of the ocean. the country. To wrap up the mathematics lessons Community Center Youth Department, the Tsameret
as many ways as possible. A new summer camp started operating in Arad: All the activities were in English and has been
During this intensive year, Abir met a wide variety of in which the children learned about geometry, youth movement that they established in the Arad, in
Last year, 70 children in the third to eighth grades,
people: children, young people, students and older ratios, how to read a map and more, a competition Counterpoint Israel. It is a Yeshiva University program described by Amy cooper, Director of Financial the Orly Absorption Center for Ethiopian immigrants,
participated in the activities in the Arad center,
adults, and made a huge impact on the community, was held for planning and building a palace. The taking place during three consecutive weeks Resource Development of the Jewish Federation Ran's Place and the Warm Home for Girls, both clubs
supported by the Jewish Agency through the for youth at risk and other projects, some of are also
benefiting both Israel and Arad. students from the Arad Center won 2nd place in throughout the summer. The program, aiming for of Central New Jersey who saw the summer camp
Partnership, the Arad municipality and other entities. funded by the Partnership, such as Gesher - Teens
We want to take this opportunity and thank Abir the competition and 3rd place in the map reading children ages 13-17, has three main goals: to instill in action as "an excellent example of how the
In addition to the studies, the children enjoyed Leadership Development in Arad, New Jersey and
for everything he had done. competition. Well done! Jewish values; improve English skills and develop Partnership2GETHER connects Jews from New Jersey
enrichment classes such as dance, nature and Delaware . They will be closely supervised by Idit
Abir was replaced by, Natalie Elgrabli from Jerusalem, Participation in the program instills real hope for personal empowerment, through talent-building and Jews from Israel in significant ways".
environment, drama, drawing, astronomy, football Shor from Tsameret, who will also join them in the
who will continue this important work. change in education and gives the children in the workshops and field trips; fun. YU Projects Director Gila Rockman remarked that
in cooperation with the Hapoel Tel Aviv football wonderful work they are doing in the city.
We wish her much success! program equal opportunities to succeed, excel in The staff is comprised of YU students and volunteers “Counterpoint is a meeting place between Israel
school, and debating with the debating league
from Ben Gurion University. their studies, get a good education, integrate into from the United States. The program in Arad began and the Diaspora, emphasizing ‘togetherness’ for
Just before the end of the year, a highlight day society and to develop as contributing citizens and in 2011 with 50 students from the Ort High School. the benefit of the partnered communities”.
of the Association took place in Tel Aviv with the future leaders of Israeli society.
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