Shalom magazine - The Atlantic Jewish Council

p 2 K
continued from page 7
from the funds but it also strengthens
our communities (to see the caring). The
projects focus on education, from youth
to teaching leadership skills to midteens,
through young adults who have
completed their military service. We’re
working hard to keep our young people
in our area rather than seeing them
emigrate to larger centres.”
He said his Israeli committee identifies
the needs “because we live there” but the
decision on what projects to undertake is
made by the overall Coast-to-Coast and
Israeli groups.
Kathy Zilbert of Halifax, completing her
three-year term as Canadian co-chair,
Summer in Nova Scotia is all
about visitors, sunshine and
Camp Kadimah.
Friends from Vancouver to Halifax
and from the Galilee Panhandle took
full advantage of those Nova Scotia
splendours as Halifax and the Atlantic
Jewish Council were honoured to
host the annual Canadian meetings of
Partnership 2000. Although it took a lot
of organizing and planning, the meetings
were a tremendous success during a
says she received a connection stronger
than any other volunteer group with
which she’s been associated. “There
have been many changes, particularly
the global look the Israelis have
toward projects in their region, rather
than concentrating on their specific
communities. The move to lay leadership
has ensured that. Initially, it was a
Canadian-driven partnership because
we raised the funds and recommended
where they should be used but now,
because of lay leaders, it’s really taken
off.”
She praised Aharon Valency, mayor of
Galil Elyon, who had a regional approach
when he was in the partnership and
stressed the need for lay leaders.
sun-drenched weekend of socializing and
meetings.
Activities began Saturday night with
a welcome dinner at the home of
Howard and Karen Conter. Partnership
participants and a number of local
guests enjoyed an informal evening
of reconnecting with old friends and
meeting new ones. The evening was
also an opportunity to thank outgoing
National Chair, our own Kathy Zilbert,
for her efforts on behalf of Partnership.
Kathy was honoured
by Guy Lipkin,
Israeli Co-Chair,
new Canadian Co-
Chair Ron Weiss
of Ottawa, and
Rick Schreiber of
Vancouver, Kathy’s
predecessor.
The next morning
we boarded an
early bus to Camp
Kadimah for
our first day of
meetings. We were
met by director,
Page 8 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2
Zilbert said it’s been a privilege for
her to be co-chair, “coming from the
smallest member of the (Canadian side
of) partnership. I was welcomed by the
larger communities, showing this is truly
a Coast-to-Coast venture where large and
small can flourish to do more for Israel.”
The group spent a day touring and
meeting at Camp Kadimah where dozens
of children from Northern Israel have
spent six-week camp experiences in the
last several years.
“I never saw such a camp,” Lipkin said
with awe in his voice. “I can imagine
what the kids go through when they get
here.”
He laughed. “I want to go live there.”
P2K Steering Committee Meetings
June 19-21, 2010, Halifax, Nova Scotia
by Karen Conter
Coast to Coast held their first meeting at Camp Kadimah.
Joanna Wexler and associate director,
Jared Goldlust. Morning meetings were
held in the RCC and followed by lunch
in the Chadar. Camp Kadimah co-chair
Victor Goldberg welcomed everyone to
our jewel in the woods.
Joanna gave an informal talk about
Camp Kadimah and its importance in
Nova Scotia and to our Partnership with
the Galilee Panhandle. As part of the
Geisher Chai program, Atlantic Canada
has hosted a number of CITs from the
Andrea Freedman, National Director Planning
& Development ,UIA Federations Canada,
chats with Kfir Maoz, Dorin Eilon-Heiber and
Ifat Eilon-Heiber, during the P2K dinner.