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July 09, 2009 - Image 5

Resource type:
Text
Publication:
The Detroit Jewish News, 2009-07-09

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Editor's Letter

WOMEN'S

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN

A Michigan-Israel Bridge

A

s the leaders who represent Michigan Jewry and
the Central Galilee discussed ways to enhance their
fragile partnership, which brings together people
from both regions, I began to wonder if the well-seasoned
experiment had run its course. Successful projects run out of
steam all the time. That's a signal to move on to other pur-
suits.
All accounts point to our partnership bridge having success
in bricks-and-mortar projects and people-to-people con-
nections. Clearly, Israel has benefited
more. But richer opportunities on both
sides could be harvested from retooled
bridgework that spotlights the added
value of a shared identity.
The regional partnership between
the Detroit, Ann Arbor and Grand
Rapids Jewish communities and the
Israeli municipalities of Nazareth
Illit, Migdal HaEmek and the Jezreel
Valley is a means of relating in a way
that ultimately fosters friendships and
interactive opportunities.
Until 15 years ago, those three Central Galilee governments
developed independently. What created a mingling was the
1994 partnership with Michigan Jewry, born from Partnership
2000. P2K is an economic, educational, cultural, spiritual and
social program developed by the Jewish Agency for Israel,
in cooperation with United Israel Appeal and United Jewish
Communities, the umbrella for North American federations.
P2K's intent is to spur kesher lekesher — people-to-people
connections between Israeli and North American Jews. Today,
45 such partnerships worldwide are linked to Israeli develop-
ment areas primarily in the Negev and the Galilee. Michigan
Jewry chose the Central Galilee because of the diversity of its
residents and existing personal relationships. The northern
Israel region is really a microcosm of Israeli society.

Focused Debate

The June 11 discussion I sat in on at the Max M. Fisher
Federation Building in Bloomfield Township marked the
third time since P2K's founding that the Michigan-Israel joint
steering committee met in Michigan. About 20 delegates from
Michigan and Israel came together in a spirited visioning and
planning session. I left 21/2 hours later convinced that P2K
would have staying power under the right conditions.
The burden is on P2K leadership to turn raw concepts into
lasting assets. The steering committee needs to be more than
a facilitating board; it also must engage people in each region
to find reason and benefit to partnering, which requires com-
mitment and money. Let's be honest: Without sturdy roots
and steady nourishment, partnerships that extend 6,000 miles
are sure to wilt under the pressure of more urgent demands.
Michael Horowitz of West Bloomfield and Jeff Schlussel
of Huntington Woods co-chair P2K's Michigan delegation.
Schlussel gave this refreshing and blunt analysis of P2K's cur-
rent standing: "It's a little tired. It has lost its passion, its focus.
We need to take a hard look at it:'
He asked what Michigan Jewry wanted and needed as the
partnership moved forward. Plenty of debate ensued, rang-
ing from the challenge of making the Central Galilee the
home base of Michigan Jews visiting Israel to the prospect of
exchanges and experiences that nurture trans-Atlantic ties.
As the ideas poured forth, I thought Horowitz gave an
intriguing perspective: "Let's use the partneri/tip to strength-

en our Jewish community here in Michigan."
Horowitz envisioned P2K helping excite Michigan Jews
about their heritage and what Israel means to them as well
as how Federation bolsters Jewish life through communally
funded services, activities and leadership building.
Getting more Michigan Jews to make the Central Galilee at
least a stop on their Israel itinerary, whether during a mission
or a personal visit, has real merit, as does sharpening relation-
ship building between Michigan Jews and Central Galileans
so the people-to-people connections that P2K is supposed to
prompt actually occur. Simply put, the connections have the
potential to inspire participants to see each other as family
bound by a common faith (Judaism) and cause (Zionism).

DESIGNER

CLOTHING COLLECTIONS

ACCESSORIES

HANDBAGS

SHOES

The Idea Mill

The steering committee talked about having Israeli families
host visiting Michigan Jews for Shabbat or for longer periods.
It talked about Michigan Jews going to the Central Galilee for
extended ulpans, archaeological digs, sports programs, arts
programs, farming, wine-tasting and volunteerism.
The proposed scholarship/incentive programs to attract
American young professionals to settle in the Central Galilee
and to bring American college students there to tutor in
English also have resonance.
I liked the steering committee's decision to generate solid
ideas and then figure out how to fund them as opposed
to thrashing over finances. For example, why couldn't the
Michigan Jewish community send a sha-
liach — a young, engaging emissary — to
the Central Galilee for a year to gauge the
worth? The shlichim who have come to
Michigan over the years have personalized
Israel for us; current shaliach Yoav Raban,
from Kibbutz Ramat David in the Jezreel
Valley, is among the best we've had.
The Central Galilee is a growing region
with young families, developing indus-
try and a pioneering drive. The region
has 120,000 residents, including many
low-income Russian immigrants as well
Shaliach Yoav Raban
as many people with a spiritual sense
of belonging. The vast majority of residents are Jews. Arab-
dominated Nazareth is nearby, but some Arabs are moving to
the Jewish town. There's a fear that Jews soon may become the
minority in Nazareth Illit.
Jewish identity no doubt is a great tool to connect. P2K has
laid out an ambitious, layered school program to deepen this
identity within the Central Galilee. Students will study the
Holocaust, learn about multiculturalism, acquire leadership
skills and be empowered to excel not only in artistic expres-
sions but also other spheres.
To further the Jewish search for identity, CEO Robert
Aronson of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit has
pitched the innovative notion of "community houses" within
the Central Galilee to welcome Jews seeking meaningful
Jewish experiences within or outside the traditional syna-
gogue structure. The goal would be to help Central Galileans
tap into Jewish culture, spirituality or practice without con-
fines. Interplay with Michigan Jews would be a key as would
a willingness to travel between Michigan and Israel. Perhaps
the best reward would be engaging Jews who have little con-
nection to Israel or organized Judaism.

LE

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