Linking St. Louis with Israel

About the Program
Partnership 2000 was created to meet the challenge of developing Israel’s priority areas – the Negev, Galilee and Jerusalem, and transform the Diaspora-Israel relationship into a partnership of peers working to strengthen ties between Israel and the Jewish people. 

Partnership 2000 has built partnerships between more than 550 Diaspora communities in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Australia and South Africa and 41 regions in Israel. P2000 was created in 1994 by the United Jewish Appeal (now part of the UJC, the United Jewish Communities), the Jewish Agency for Israel and participating Jewish Federations.

In 1995 the St. Louis Jewish community joined with the Jewish community of Atlanta in a “sister-city” relationship with the town of Yokne’am and the surrounding region of Megiddo (which is comprised of 13 rural settlements, mostly kibbutzim). Yokne’am and Megiddo are situated in the central Galilee, adjacent to the West Bank. More than 20,000 people live in the region, including immigrants from the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia and Argentina.

Yokne’am-Megiddo is about 20 minutes south of Haifa. The region is geographically significant as a transportation gateway between the northern Sharon coastal plain and the central Galilee. The region is also known internationally for its significant archaeological site Tel Megiddo. Another archaeological site, Tel Yokne’am, is currently under excavation.

At first, most P2000 programming focused on economic development and social welfare issues. Today, the emphasis has focused on developing and strengthening relationships between the people of St. Louis and Atlanta—and the people of Yokne’am and Megiddo. Exchanges of professionals, summer camp counselors, young leaders and frequent visits by delegations of leaders have fostered strong bonds between the communities, despite their vast geographical separation.

Two major initiatives currently funded through the Partnership, in collaboration with the municipalities, are a citywide youth center in Yokne’am and the Safe and Supportive Rural Community Project of the Megiddo Regional Council, which targets seniors in the regional council’s 13 jurisdictions.

Initiatives in Yokne'am-Megiddo Include:

• education programs
• child enrichment and development programs
• after-school activities
• senior programs and services
• family education programs
• business forums to promote economic development
• school security systems
• assistance to immigrant families in distress
• subsidized text books for schools
• civil patrol car

P2000 Updates Online

For current news about Partnership 2000 programs, visit the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI)  web page devoted to our partnership with Atlanta and Yokn'eam-Meggido region.