Skip Navigation LinksHome > Israel/World Jewry > Partnership 2000 - Rosh Ha'ayin
Rosh Ha'ayin - Partnership 2000

 

JFGNO Overview of Partnership 2000 (P2K)

An overseas partner of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) is dedicated to continually cultivating the special relationship between Israel and World Jewry.  That is why JAFI developed Partnership 2000 (P2K) together with United Jewish Communities/the Federations of North America and Keren Hayesod serving Jewish communities in the Diaspora outside of North America.  Partnership 2000 links members of over 550 Jewish communities around the world with residents of 38 Israeli cities and regions. The partners work jointly to promote regional development in Israel, Jewish unity and Jewish identity.

Recognizing the vital link to involvement in Israel, the majority of North American communities have chosen to join in Partnership 2000, with most increasing their involvement over time. 650 programs, selected by Partnership steering committees made up jointly of both local Diaspora and Israeli Jews, are taking place in the P2K regions. More than 10,000 people are involved in Partnership 2000 interactions between local Diaspora and Israeli Jews each year.

The primary spheres of activity are:

  • Regional development in Israel
  • Long-term immigrant absorption
  • Population growth
  • Educational advancement
  • Human needs
  • People – to – people exchanges
  • Special assistance to communities along Israel’s Confrontation and ‘Seam’ lines.

Partnership 2000 and the Greater New Orleans Jewish Community

Along with the Birmingham Jewish Federation, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans joined Partnership 2000 to develop a relationship with the residents of the Israeli city of Rosh Ha’ayin.

Rosh Ha'ayin is located in the heart of Israel, northeast of Tel-Aviv on the natural crossroad from North to South, from West to East, neighboring the Efraim Mountains from the east, Kfar Kasem from the north, and agricultural fields from the south and the west.  In modern terms, the city is located on the intersection of the two main roads in Israel, the Cross-Israel highway and the Cross-Samaria highway, situated 15 miles from Tel-Aviv and 40 miles from Jerusalem.

History

Due to its strategic location, the region around Rosh Ha’ayin has a long history of previous battles and wars.  The ancient city of Afek is reminded in the bible as the battle field between the people of Israel and the Phelishtim during the days of King Shaul (approximately 1050 B.C.E).  Archeological findings confirm that an ancient Jewish city has existed in the region since the mid 12th century B.C.E.

Two historical monuments can be found in the surroundings of the city: the Afek fortress (declared as a national Israeli Archeological Garden) and the Tzedek tower (Migdal Tzedek), both located on a highly strategic point.

The modern history of Rosh Ha'ayin started when the British Army took over the region from the Ottoman Empire and turned it into a military camp.  During Israel’s war for independence, this former British military camp was occupied by an Iraqi expeditionary force trying to split the new-born country into two.  The Israeli leadership, understating the severe implications of such an occurrence, allocated two regiments to the battle and through the night of July 11, 1948 the Israeli forces succeeded in taking over the region.

In the years from 1949-1950, in an attempt to absorb the huge waves of olim (immigrants) the young State of Israel settled refugees in camps in various locations around the country, including the Rosh Ha'ayin area.  About 35,000 of these immigrants came from Yemen.  Subsequently, the city of Rosh Ha'ayin was established in 1951 as a small town populated by a few hundred Yemenite immigrants.  Socio-economic problems characterized the small town as an underdeveloped community until the mid 1980’s.

Business & Economy

Over the past 20 years, the city has enjoyed a rapid and vast development process with a highly successful industrial park established and new neighborhoods drawing a higher socio-economic population to the city.

More then 400 industrial and business firms, mostly high-tech companies, have been established in Rosh Ha’ayin.

Challenges & Objectives

The rapid development has emphasized the growing gaps between the original population and the new comers and set new challenges for the community and city leadership.

Therefore, the city’s leadership has decided to focus in several strategic goals:

  • Narrow the socio-economic gaps between original and new residents of the city.
  • Eliminate the geographical and cultural separation between old and new neighborhoods.
  • Upgrade education levels from kindergarten through high school. 
  • Develop programs to strengthen Jewish identity and cherish the Yemenite heritage of original residents.
  • Supply the business community in the city with the proper conditions and atmosphere for growth and success.
  • Reach out for partnerships with sister Jewish communities overseas.
     

A Word from the Mayor of Rosh Ha’ayin, Moshe Sinai

"Rosh Ha'ayin is one of the fastest growing cities in Israel. The city's population has tripled during the last 15 years while new neighborhoods were built, an impressive industrial park was founded, and new young families joined our growing community.

Rosh Ha'ayin is a city full of life, constantly growing and developing, a city with a glorious past and promising future.

The city's unique characteristics as an encounter point for a wide variety of pluralistic communities requires tolerance and cooperation.

I took upon myself, together with City Hall's new senior staff, to lead the city to be in the forefront of local authorities in Israel.  Our development initiatives are focused on education, business and infrastructure as the engines that will pull the city into the future.

It is not an easy task.  In an era of shrinking national budgets, we have to narrow the gaps between different communities in the city, care for our weak citizens, and maintain our heritage and identity.

We will confront these issues with the help of our friends in national leadership, in the business community and overseas.

I have deep confidence in the people of Rosh Ha'ayin and in their abilities. We all love our city and are proud of it.  Together we'll make it even better."

Rosh Ha'ayin - Greater New Orleans Events

Over the past three years, a series of exchanges between Rosh Ha'ayin and Greater New Orleans has taken place. These include a visit to the city of the Teen Mandolin Choir and visits to Rosh Ha'ayin by participants on Federation mission trips to Israel. Below are snapshots from some of these visits.

 


 

 

 

 

 

Gary Lazarus, a participant on the JFGNO Lemann-Stern Young Leadership Program Mission, with members of the Ethiopian community of Rosh Ha'ayin