June 25, 2012 / 5 Tammuz 5772
The Assembly and Board of Governors got off to a warm and exciting start, with addresses by the President of Israel and by our own Chairman of the Executive, and afternoon "site visits" to cities around Israel, where members of the Board of Governors witnessed first-hand the work of The Jewish Agency.
The Jewish Agency "studio" at the Inbal Hotel, ready for live broadcasts from Jerusalem of the Assembly and Board of Governors meetings, June 24-27.
Chairman of the Executive Natan Sharansky relaxing for a moment before an interview.
Betsy Gidwitz, Chair of the Russian Speaking Jewry Committee, with The Jewish Agency's spokesman, Ofer Lefler.
President of Israel Shimon Peres and Chairman of the Executive Natan Sharansky talk with Jane Sherman, honorary member of the Board of Governors.
President of Israel Shimon Peres and Chairman of the Executive Natan Sharansky, arriving to address the Assembly at the opening plenary.
President of Israel Shimon Peres addressing the Assembly at the opening plenary.
President of Israel Shimon Peres addressing the Assembly at the opening plenary. Looking on are member of the Board of the Governors – representing the World Zionist Organization – Joan Garson, and Chairman of the Executive Natan Sharansky.
President of Israel Shimon Peres addressing the Assembly at the opening plenary.
Chairman of the Executive Natan Sharansky, addressing the Assembly at the opening plenary.
Members of the Assembly and Board of Governors fanned across Israel to visit cities where The Jewish Agency is helping to bridge social and economic gaps. Here, Karen Pack of the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City poses with the Mayor of Ramla, the sister city of Kansas City. In Ramla, Board Members discussed the state of the city with Mayor Yoel Lavi, visited Ramla's famous shuk, and met with teenagers in The Jewish Agency's Net@ program.
Mayor of Ramla Yoel Lavi discusses with Board Members the challenges and successes of bridging social gaps in a diverse city with many new immigrants.
Young volunteers from Ukraine, Russia, Chile, and the United States have been living and working in Ramla, teaching English in local schools. They came to Israel through Masa Israel Journey, a joint project of The Jewish Agency and the Government of Israel, which provides grants and scholarships for young Jews from around the world to study, volunteer, or perform internships in Israel for five to 12 months. Here, after enjoying lunch with members of the Board of Governors, the Ramla volunteers pose with staff from Oranim, their Masa provider, and with Mayor of Ramla Yoel Lavi.
Members of the Board of Governors enjoying a tour of Ramla's famous shuk, with 10th graders who are part of The Jewish Agency's Net@ program there.
Members of the Board of Governors and of The Jewish Agency staff enjoying a tour of Ramla's famous shuk, with 10th graders who are part of The Jewish Agency's Net@ program there.
Members of the Board of Governors and of The Jewish Agency staff visited Ramla, where The Jewish Agency co-sponsors the local Net@ program. Using a curriculum by Cisco Networking Academy, Net@ teaches computer hardware and software skills to teens from the socio-economic periphery, providing a marketable skill. In turn, participants volunteer their services, repairing computers for elderly or impoverished members of their communities.
Members of the Board of Governors and of The Jewish Agency staff visited Ramla, where The Jewish Agency co-sponsors the local Net@ program. Using a curriculum by Cisco Networking Academy, Net@ teaches computer hardware and software skills to teens from the socio-economic periphery, providing a marketable skill. In turn, participants volunteer their services, repairing computers for elderly or impoverished members of their communities.
Photo credit: Perry Bindelglass