Communities Council:  January 27-29, 2019 in NW IN >>>> Click here to register http://jewishyoungstown.org/2019council

Summit: July 14-16, 2019 in South Bend, IN 

Mazel tov to Michael and Ilana Aaronson on the birth of a grandson, the second son to their second son!

Violin music from the Western Galilee! As part of the Violinists Partnership initiative, violinists Gary Levinson (Ft Worth), Sarah Price (Ft Worth) and Ilana McNamara(Omaha) accompanied by Kim Goldberg (Ft Worth) have spent the week communicating through the language of music - playing, teaching and touching many people around the region.

Gary, Sarah and Ilana gave an outstanding concert in Orit Katzenstein and Amir Guri's home to thank all the donors to the Crowd Funding campaign to bring Community Opinion Leaders from the communities to an experience in Israel. Close to 40 people and the music filled the living room! Our Chair Efrat facilitated the Shabbat Shalom video. The Advisory task force for the Community Opinions Leaders trip will conference  this week to set the date and begin planning for this delegation. Start thinking of the people to send from your communities.

Thank you to the Thomases Foundation (Youngstown) who have awarded funds to six organizations (in this funding cycle) in the Western Galilee to expand their activities. Eran, Nitzan( learning disabilites), Rosh Pina (Arab and Jewish students in Akko), Aharai, Ghetto Fighters' House and the Naval school in Akko all received grants.

Planning continues for the Communities Council. Twenty- four Americans have registered and 12 communities are represented so far. Our chair Michelle has been busy encouraging registration! Fifteen Israelis and Hungarians are joining as well Still time to register to insure that we have lay and professional representation from your community.

The Israelis and Hungarians will visit communities before and/or after the CC to spread the Partnership message and create contacts.  Austin, Buffalo, Des Moines, Ft. Worth, Indianapolis, NW IN, Omaha, San Antonio, South Bend and Toledo will each be hosting someone(s).

Yom Ha'Atzmaout in the communities !! The Partnership is offering 2 options - Yisrael Dayan and his kids to perform rousing Israeli music and Kobi Sibony and Or-nah Ran to give art workshops/lectures for the community. There are still openings!!! Contact Avital avitalbe@jafi.org for more details. The flyers are attached.

Fifteen organizations have sent grant requests to Buffalo for their first time Grant cycle.

The Partnership Center construction is moving ahead. We have floor tiles and windows. Please join us in this exciting next and new stage of the Partnership. Please make your gift or payment through your local Jewish federation. Contact me by return email for more details.

Shabbat Shalom!