Diller teens in Ashkelon

The Diller CSI teens are in Ashkelon for the "summer mifgash"!

It was a joy to see the teens reunite as the Baltimore teens got off the bus at the Teen Center, straight into the arms of the Ashkelon teens. Screaming, hugging, laughing, kissing - it was great to see!

Since the welcome dinner at Rotem's home on the first night, the teens have been kept very busy visiting Givati Brigade, the Halperin old-aged home, Beit Canada absorption center, Gvanim, the tennis center for youth activities, the Ashkelon National Park (archaeology), Nitzanim, and enjoying home hospitality with the Ashkelon teens and their families.

See photos in 5 x Diller albums (link in the right hand margin or):

http://picasaweb.google.com/nikirose

(See more pics of the teens in The Michael Lapidus Park (Baltimore Park) in the first & third albums). Nicole

CCCD Mission visits Ashkelon

Today we had lunch at the Holiday Inn in Ashkelon with the 130 members of the "UJC Campaign Chairmen & Directors Mission", who had just visited Sderot. I also brought along Alan & Ilana Marcus, Nicole and another seven English-speaking Ashkelonians who each sat at one of the tables to chat with the mission participants. Avi Dichter spoke about the security situation, the return of our two prisoners, and the strong connection between Israel and Jewish communities overseas. Nachman Shai was there, and Levi Shafran popped in to say hello. Above right in the white shirt is Eli Goldshmit, head of Beit Canada absorption center in Barnea, talking to a group of mission participants. It was lovely to see Janis, Linda, & Rachel again. Nicole

CCC&D CCCD

Ashkelon's First Shinshinim to Baltimore

Tal Bouhnik and Liron Menashe, our first "shinshinim"!

In August, our two shinshinim, Liron Menashe & Tal Bouhnik, will leave their homes and families in Ashkelon and head off to spend a whole year in Baltimore.

What is a "shinshin" ? 'Shin Shin' stands for "Shnat Sherut" or 'year of service'. A Shinshin is also called a 'young emissary' or 'young ambassador'. Shinshinim are high school graduates who defer their military service for one year in order to spend that year living and working in the community - doing volunteer work in schools, old-aged homes, kindergartens, community centers, after-school and/or similar programs - usually in Israel (sometimes through youth groups), but also in partnership communities overseas.

They have been specially chosen, and are experienced counselors who have undergone a special JAFI (Jewish Agency for Israel) course and they will use their experience and special skills to make their mark and contribute to the Baltimore Jewish Community. Nicole

(From left), myself, Tal Bouhnik, Liron Menashe, and Maia Hoffman.

June-July Visits

Recent visitors from Baltimore:

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Steve Gevarter spent a day with us, together with his son David. They were on a trip to Israel with Chizuk Amona. The first picture shows all of us at lunch - Steve & David Gevarter, Mayor Roni, Deputy Mayor Levi, Dr Alan Marcus, and myself. The second picture shows David Gevarter - trying out Mayor Roni's seat for size.... who knows?!

Later that day the whole Chizuk Amona group came to Ashkelon for a few hours, visited Park Baltimore (which is looking green and lovely) and the Lyn Stacie Getz Playground, and visited Netzach Yisrael congregation.

Marty Waxman was here on a family trip and took the opportunity to stay overnight in the Ashkelon Holiday Inn, and get an update on economic development projects with the help of Eliezer Priel, Alan Marcus, Moty Harel, Iris Liebovich and myself. The group visited two new small businesses that received loans from the Loan Fund sponsored by the partnership.

Devera Routman - "DeeDee", spent nearly a whole week in Ashkelon and we kept her very busy. Amongst other activities, she volunteered at Gan Hofit kindergarten, she spent a morning with Nicole - visiting the Ladies Ethiopian Art Project, met Liron our young shinshin, ate lunch with Dr Sharf at Barzilai Medical Center, visited with Mayor Roni and Deputy Mayor Levi, walked round Park Baltimore and went to check out the Michael Lapides firetruck donated by the Baltimore community, at the Ashkelon fire-station.

Noa Nagar HaLevy - Diller program counselor, who stayed with Devera's daughter Tammy Heyman while she was on the Diller delegation to Baltimore, invited Devera (as well as Yuval, Nicole and myself) to a delicious and bountiful dinner at her lovely apartment, where Devera met Noa's family, admired the incredible sunset and view of Ashkelon from the 5th floor (top of a hill location), and said of the dinner "Of all the fancy restaurants I visited in Israel, this was the best dinner I have eaten during my whole trip". Nicole