About P2G

Partnership 2Gether (P2G; formerly Partnership 2000 or P2K) is the modern-day outgrowth of a relationship between the North American diaspora community and Israel. Most communities with federations have a specific relationship with either a city or an area of Israel, through which people-to-people relationships are developed. Winnipeg, along with Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa and the Atlantic are involved as partners in P2G. Many of the relationships with the northern region of Israel come through visits to these communities in Israel, people exchanges (schools, teachers and adults) and the funding of projects that can aid the Israeli community, but also that have an impact in our own community. Overall, the intention of this relationship is to bring Israelis and diaspora Jews closer together, as one.

The work of the partnership is done through local committees involving lay leadership and staff, and as well, each community has representation on the national joint steering committee. The Partnership meets twice per year, once in Canada and once in Israel. At these meetings important decisions are made regarding funding of various programs and projects. Winnipeg is a partner in funding programs and projects in the region of Northern Israel, including Kiryat Shmonah, Metullah, and 3 regional councils composed of kibbutzim and moshvaim, Galil Elyon, Mevoot Hahermon and  Yesod Hamalah. At the local level decisions are made with respect to potential funding of projects and the coordination of people-to-people projects, such as the school program. The work of the joint national steering committee is focused in three areas: Gesher Chai, Youth and Capacity Building.

Winnipeg Gesher Chai - The Partnership's Living Bridge
In Winnipeg, one strong example of the living partnership is the relationship that we have with several schools in Israel.  – Danciger High School, Nachshonai Ha-Hulah Elementary School, and Ramat Korazin Elementary School. During my time in Israel in December, the Winnipeg delegation was able to spend time at all three schools – meeting with students and also taking in a Chanukah concert. With all three of these schools the relationships are thriving, and we just celebrated the 18th year of this partnership, last fall, when the high school students from Danciger visited Winnipeg. These partnerships create strong people-to-people connections and bonds. These school partnerships are part of the Gesher Chai – Living Bridge relationship with our Israeli friends – a bridge that we want to work on extending to adult relationships. We are looking for great ideas in this area and encourage thoughts from across the community with respect to how we do more in the area of adult living bridge connections. 

The following piece is by Avi Posen, Gray Academy staff representative for P2G:

This year's P2G visit was a resounding success. Eights students from Danciger High School along with two teachers (a teacher from Danciger and the principal of Nachshonei Hachula) came to Winnipeg for 10 days. The delegation had the opportunity to experience all that Jewish Winnipeg has to offer from the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue to Chabad, from the Forks to the Human Rights Museum. The program included almost 30 students hosts who developed close bonds with each of their Israeli guests (as well as many more students who were either involved with the program or came out to school wide activities).
 
The workshops that the delegation did for Gray Academy students were very successful.  Some were more serious, concerning the current political climate in Israel and some workshops were more fun such as Israeli dancing, army training and Israel education board games.  The students seemed to enjoy the workshops and proved to the Israelis that in most cases they knew as much if not more than the Israeli students did. 
 
For the past couple of years, the Israeli Ministry of Education has only allowed the students to come during holidays so that they miss minimal number of school days.  During the 10 day visit, the students were only at school for four days.  Due to the majority of the rest of the visit being either Shabbat or Yomtov, there were a few activities that we didn't have the opportunity to add to the itinerary.  For example, this year we weren't able to volunteer for the greater community at a place like Siloam Mission for example.  Hopefully next year this is something we can re-add to the itinerary.  We are always looking for more ways to engage more students in the program who are not involved in hosting or on the committee so we will continue to try and improve that aspect.
 
Overall, this year's student involvement was at a higher level than in years past.  Last year 5 students went on the P2G program from Winnipeg and this year we already have upwards of 13 applicants who have applied to go on the program at the end of February.  The students are excited and there is a lot of momentum going forward through many different age groups.  We look forward to continuing to grow and expand this program so that as many students as possible can reap the benefits from it.  Thank you for your support!