Baltimore Hebrew Congregation visit Ashkelon on Purim

 To see full photo album click here

On Purim, 20th March, about 40 members of the Baltimore Hebrew, the largest reform congregation in Baltimore, visited Ashkelon.

Their first stop was a quick view of the Michael Lapidus Baltimore Park and Lyn Stacie Getz Playground. At  Netzach Yisrael Conservative community in Afridar Ashkelon they were welcomed by Marcelo Burdman and the leadership of the community, as well as the NOAM youth group. Deputy Mayor Shlomo Cohen welcomed the group on behalf of the City of Ashkelon.

After dressing as pirates, together with the NOAM kids, the group marched in the colorful  ADLOYADA (Purim Parade). This is the first time a delegation has ever taken part in Ashkelon's Purim parade. The NOAM and Baltimore group greeted the crowd from the front of the parade, behind the Mayor.

After lunch back at Netzach Yisrael, the group prepared "Mishlochei Manot" and presented them to the kids at Bet Canada new immigrant absorption center at the Purim party there.

A day to remember!
 

Rabbi Michael of Ashkelon welcomes Rabbi Andy of Baltimore to Netzach Israel

Sigal with Shlomo Cohen - Deputy Mayor, and Partnership Chairman

Dressing up as Purim pirates

The group leaving Netzach Yisrael for the Adlouyada

Adlouyada

mini Ashkelon pirate crosses swords with Baltimore pirate

Chief Pirate

Greeting the crowd

VIP catches lift in fire-truck



Preparing mishlochei manot - Purim parcels - for the kids



Purim party with Ethiopian kids at Bet Canada

Erez Menashe giving at a magic show at the Bet Canada Purim party

 To see more photos CLICK HERE

TAGLIT in Ashkelon 10 January 2011

Three busloads of happy university students from Baltimore spent a night in Ashkelon as part of their Taglit-Birthright tour of Israel.

The next day they volunteered at locations all over Ashkelon; making their presence felt by teaching English and talking with students at high schools; planting trees and teaching songs at kindergartens; planting vegetables at the Ashkelon Community farm; and painting walls and beautifying Beit Canada, the absorption center for new immigrants.

The Taglit students also visited Michael Lapidus Baltimore Park and Lynn Stacie Getz Playground.

At lunch, the Taglit students enjoyed meeting Otzma participants and hearing about the Otzma ITC volunteer teaching program in Ashkelon. Many Taglit participants expressed interest in coming to work and volunteer in Israel for 10 months with Otzma and other programs.

To see more photos click HERE

To see more photos click HERE

To see more photos click HERE

Volunteer Day with the Family Mission 30.12.2010

Beit Canada in Barnea Ashkelon, was a hive of activity on 30th December 2010 as participants in the Family Mission from Baltimore joined volunteers from Ashkelon to beautify the Absorption Center for new immigrants.

The night before, Family Mission was hosted by Ashkelon families, many renewed connections forged during previous Missions

More photos can be seen HERE and HERE

Shani Yamin (right) and her family hosted the Geller family

Carly Geller and Shani are Diller partners from last year

Einat (second from left above) and Shulamit (below)

renewed their Mom's Mission connection with Harriet Weiner and her family.

Vered and Dotan kept the Mission kids busy

SOME OF THE BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS

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The outdoor living room (below) - BEFORE

The outdoor living room (below) - AFTER

Entry mural (below) - BEFORE

Entry mural (below) - AFTER (not yet complete)

The dove, with Ashkelon artist Hana Raviv BEFORE

The dove, in place, - AFTER

Shlomo Cohen accepted a gift...

The Diller teens arrived to lend a hand

more photos can be seen HERE and HERE

more photos can be seen HERE and HERE