About Partnership 2000
JUF’s Partnership 2000 (P2K) works in conjunction with the Jewish Agency for Israel. P2K links communities in the Diaspora with communities in Israel, predominantly in the Negev, the Galilee and the Jerusalem areas. Chicago is partnered with Kiryat Gat-Lachish-Shafir, located in Israel’s northern Negev. Through P2K, more than $1.2 million of funding from JUF’s annual campaign supports projects that promote the region’s development, improve the quality of life for its residents and connects them with Chicago Jewry through “people-to-people” programs.
Location
Chicago’s P2K Region of Kiryat Gat, Lachish and Shafir is located in the northern Negev and is 45 minutes by car from Tel Aviv and approximately one hour from Jerusalem.
Challenges
Although a huge wave of new immigration enabled the Region to expand in many ways, it also placed a significant strain on local educational, social and medical systems.
Allocations
The money that Partnership 2000 allocates annually to the Region is for enrichment programs such as leadership development for teens and English advancement in the schools. Additional funds from the JUF/JF is allocated to promote religious pluralism, a long school day and for the Ethiopian National Project.
What’s Happening @ JUF’s Partnership 2000?
A Busy December-January in Kiryat Gat-Lachish-ShafirThe months of December and January were filled with welcoming our partners –our friends from Chicago to the Kiryat Gat-Lachish-Shafir Region. Eleven Birthright groups made significant visits to the region. These visits not only had an impact on the visitors but they also impacted the many children and adults that enjoyed the opportunity to meet young Jewish Chicagoans. In addition, the region hosted two groups of high school age students from the Kolot program and the Chicagoland Jewish High School, as well as the P2K steering committee meetings and site visits. The Sigale and the Lavin Family also visited the region and participated in activities. And the Chicago Winter Mission also enjoyed time in the region. Additionally we welcomed four Otzma volunteers in early January for a three month stint. |
