Living Bridge

Initiation, development, and reinforcement of ties between local residents and members of the Jewish Community of Chicago through meetings, visits, joint activities, and study about and with each other’s communities, while developing common experiences.

Developing a common language between the Jewish Community of Chicago and residents of Kiryat Gat, Lachish, and Shafir, seeking to bridge differences, strengthen the common, and create and extend significant ties.
Reinforcing Jewish consciousness, intensifying a sense of mutual responsibility, and reducing alienation.
Forming a living bridge between communities through ongoing dialogue, and shared experiences between local residents and the Chicago Jewish Community.
Educate stakeholders such as teachers, council members, and civil society activists about the history, present, and future of the Chicago Jewish community

Children, youth, young adults, professionals, and elderly in Kiryat Gat, Lachish, Shafir, and Greater Chicago.

Children, youth, young adults, professionals, and elderly in Kiryat Gat, Lachish, Shafir, and Greater Chicago.

Education Living Bridge (formal education) – a yearlong joint study program and reciprocal visits are planned during the school year:

1. Mifgash- Annual program with 8th-grade students from schools in the partnership region and 8th-grade students from Bernard Zell Jewish Day School and Solomon Schechter Jewish Day School. The program includes an in-depth study of Jewish identity and Peoplehood, counselor skills, and Israeli education. The program has two highlights, the first is an educational mission to Chicago and the second is a mutual visit of the schools from Chicago to Israel.

2. Israel Now - Working with 8th-grade students from all high schools in the partnership region who join the Mifgash with the Israel Now delegation in order to deepen the experience of the Israelis with enriching sessions mostly on the subject of Jewish Peoplehood.

3. P2Gan - P2P program between Israeli kindergartens and Bernard Zel, Moriah synagogue and CJDS  kindergartens - joint activities about Israel and the partnership and joint training for the educators.

Living Bridge (informal education and community) 

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1. Diller – Joint leadership program for youth (20 on each side) dealing with Jewish identity, pluralism & Tikun Olam, Israel and Leadership.

2. P2Lead – A two-year leadership program, the program starts at the 9th grade and  includes full activity with frequent meetings, sabbaticals, and CIT training. In the 10th grade, after receiving the counselor certificate, the teens will guide in the Partnership activities (Israel Now, Mifgash, Birthright, etc.), and will deepen their knowledge of the Jewish community in Chicago and the Jewish camping world. In 10th grade, they will participate in an educational delegation during Hanukkah to Chicago, during which they will get to know the Jewish community, volunteer with youth organizations, lead activities about Israel, and stay with host families from RZ High School.

In the summer of 10th grade, the teens will become full-fledged staff in the Kefiada.

1. P2Include- An umbrella program that brings together a variety of initiatives and collaborations in the field of disabilities.

• Keshet–Shekel Partnership Program- An annual program of Zoom meetings held throughout the year, organized around the Jewish calendar and Jewish holidays. The program connects Beit LaChaim in the Shafir Regional Council with the “Gadol” day program of the Keshet organization in Chicago, creating a space for getting to know one another, learning, and building meaningful connections.

• Choir Connection Program- In Kiryat Gat, the “Lev” Choir operates, composed of children and adults with disabilities. As part of the program, a musical and community connection is created with the Keshet Choir in Chicago, enabling joint creative activities and strengthening the sense of belonging and inter-community ties.

• Mothers’ Connection Program- A series of Zoom meetings held throughout the year for mothers of children with disabilities. The program was developed out of a desire to create a supportive and meaningful group that combines enriching content with a platform for sharing knowledge, information, mutual support, and enjoyment.

1. Momentum – Mothers’ Connection- A connection between mothers through the Momentum Journey. The journey takes place in Israel, lasts about a week, and includes mothers from around the world. The goal of the program is to connect mothers from the Partnership region with mothers from Chicago, and to enable meaningful relationships to develop through a shared, significant, and empowering experience.

2. Community and Alumni Relations - Establishing and operating a network of partnership program alumni to deepen their connection to the community and partnership. Creating this network will strengthen influence among different communities, serve as a platform for social and community activities, and enhance familiarity with and participation in partnership activities in the region and with Chicago.

3. Training for outgoing Shlichim to Chicago– Shinshinim that will be selected and trained to bring Israel to schools in Chicago, counselors from the partnership region at JCC camps in the Chicagoland area, and Hillel Shlichim in the Chicagoland area. 

4.  Jewish Summer Camp in Chicago - Sending 10 campers from grades 9 and 10 to a Jewish summer camp in Chicago. Establishing advance contact with the camp, preparing a selection and training program, and creating spaces in the camp where participants can deliver educational content about the partnership and Israel.

5. NGO forum - A round table that brings together the variety of social organizations operating in the area. As part of the forum, we give organizations the opportunity to expand their knowledge of social work in the area, create collaborations, and deepen their acquaintance with the various factors operating in the area and with the partnership's activities.

6. Hosting Visits & Volunteers – covering expenses for hosting Missions, families & volunteers from Chicago including Federation and synagogue missions, Birthright, Masa, honeymoon Israel, YLD, Onward Israel ext.

7. Israeli Tzofim (Scouts)- Development of an annual program to connect the Tzofim from Eliav, Kiryat Gat, and Chicago through two youth leaders (Shahbagists) from each chapter who will coordinate the joint activities and develop connecting programs for the different age groups in each chapter, based on the Jewish and Israeli calendar.

8. Impact Program for Partnership Alumni- The Impact Program is a young leadership track designed for Partnership alumni in grades 11–12. It serves as an educational bridge between the stage of being a participant and entering young adulthood. The program provides participants with tools for social entrepreneurship and fosters a deep connection to Jewish and community identity, while turning ideas into practical initiatives in the field. Through professional training and personal mentorship, participants develop local initiatives as the next generation of leaders within the Partnership. Idea for Strengthening Reciprocity – A connection with TOV and VOICES in Chicago where future projects would be created and implemented through joint selection and collaboration between both sides of the ocean.

9. Development of  P2P Education / Community programs – The development of new reciprocity programs in response to the significant needs emerging from the Partnership communities. There is a growing need to design these programs in a way that is precisely tailored to the needs of the local community, while creating meaningful collaborations with local organizations and community leaders. These partnerships will ensure relevance, lasting impact, and a genuine response to current challenges, while strengthening inter-community connections over the long term.

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General

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1. Coordinators’ Salaries – Salary for operating partnership P2P programs and providing support to non-profit organizations and flagship programs.

2. Equipment, Maintenance, and Publicity – expenses for P2P office operating, promotion, advertisements, computer maintenance, etc.    

3. Miscellaneous & Unforeseen Expenses, Virtual Tours and Special Projects – to enable our quick reaction to new initiatives and requests for P2P projects that will arise during the year.