When Partnership 2000 was founded some thirteen years ago, it had three main goals: to promote personal connections between Jews in Israel and in the Diaspora, to connect communities in the Diaspora with regions primarily in the Negev and the Galilee and to enhance the quality of life in the periphery. Developing these outlying areas has been an overarching strategic goal of the Jewish Agency since its inception and remains so today.

For the past thirteen years, the numerous partnerships have achieved not only these three goals, but a fourth major objective as well - the empowerment of the younger generation, both in Israel and in the Diaspora, through a number of creative programs initiated by P2K. These programs equip the youngsters with tools that enable them to become the next generation of leaders and educators in Jewish communities worldwide.

The Israel Department of the Jewish Agency, together with the UJC and Keren Hayesod, united in 1995 to form an innovative project – Partnership 2000.  The program creates a living bridge between the Jews of Israel and the Jews of Diaspora to strengthen Jewish identity and form a strong, stable and united global community with Israel at its center. Over 40 different Partnership regions were developed to connect community to community, people to people.

Delaware’s Partnership 2000 program has developed strong connections with its sister city in Israel, Arad -Tamar.

The central components of Partnership 2000 are in the category of “living bridge” projects. These projects consist of encounters on a people to people basis, between residents of Arad Tamar in Israel and Delawareans.

They include welcoming young athletes to join our teens at the annual JCC Maccabi Games, sending summer camp counselors to Arad through the Kefiada program and adults volunteers who help in a variety of settings including the senior center and local schools.

Kefiada volunteers have been Nathan Cohen, Greg Eng, Sara Leviton and Pamela MacDonald.

Adult volunteers have been Faith and Lou Brown, Howard Cohen and Iris Tocker.

What is the Young Volunteers' Unit?

The Young Volunteers Unit of the Education Department of the Jewish Agency for Israel sends young, idealistic and dedicated Israeli volunteers (Shaliah) to serve in Jewish communities and with Jewish organizations throughout the world.  The Young Volunteers (Shaliah) remain in their communities for a minimum of one year, initiating a variety of cultural, educational and social activities geared toward community members of all ages.  The Young Volunteers (Shaliah) serve within a variety of frameworks including informal community education, Jewish schools, Jewish Federations, synagogues, youth movements, Hillel campus foundations, etc. 

Who are the volunteers?

The candidates represent the various streams of Israeli society, and a variety of academic and professional backgrounds.  All Young Volunteers (Shlihim) share a strong commitment to the Jewish people and knowledge of Jewish history, judaism and Zionism.  A Young Volunteer (Shaliah) is selected on the basis of proven commitment to Jewish education, the ability to reach out and involve the unaffiliated, and a willingness to work with all people.  The candidates are hand-picked through a comprehensive screening process, during which we make the match between the specific needs of each community, and the skills of Young Volunteers (Shaliah).

Past Shlichim who have volunteered in Delaware:

Idan Kligerman- 2005-2006
Hila Elhayany- 2006-2007
Anat Shteinberg- 2007-2008
Hadas Amster - 2008-2009

Learn more:
For more information about this program, contact Karen Venezky at Karen.Venezky@ShalomDel.org or call 302-427-2100.