March 2009

Dear Friends,

In November 2007, we announced Ner Tamid’s exciting new partnership with the Ironi Hey High School in Tel Aviv. For the past fifteen months, our staff, Ironi Hey’s staff, and that of the Jewish Federation here in Los Angeles have been working together to plan the launch of this exciting initiative. With my involvement and Ami Berlin’s close guidance, Amy Berg has been serving as our synagogue’s Partnership Coordinator. The program is set to launch this month, as a delegation of Ironi Hey’s ninth-grade students will visit with our community for the first time!

Our guest- students will stay in the homes of some of our own ninth-graders from USY High, accompanied by teachers from Ironi Hey who will serve as their chaperones. The entire group, including Ironi Hey and USY High students, will explore together issues of Jewish identity and Jewish Peoplehood, as they get to know one another and learn about their similarities and differences, all the while forging common bonds that have the potential to last long into the future and to help ensure that the next generation of young Jews develops meaningful ties that will connect Jews from all around the globe to one another.

Let me take this opportunity to thank the Jewish Federation, once again, for its support of this important program in our community. As well, personally, on behalf of Ami Berlin and Amy Berg, and on behalf of our ninth-grade students and our guests from Tel Aviv, it is my pleasure to invite our entire community to join together for a special Shabbat Kiddush Lunch, immediately following Services on Saturday, March 28th, at which time we will have an opportunity to extend a more formal welcome as a community to our guests and during which we will hear from our own ninth-graders and from our guests about some of their shared experiences while visiting together.

B’Shalom - With Blessings of Peace and Wholeness,

Rabbi Isaac Jeret
Spiritual Leader