Pictured: Zehava Levy, Rachel Alchiani, and Miriam Soriano receiving the prize awarded to Community Builders for contribution to the community from Meitali Rothschild, the evening’s emcee. 

This week, at a ceremony marking the end of the season of the Literature Caf? club on Kibbutz Ein Hanatziv, graduates of Community Builders were awarded a prize in recognition of their contribution to the community.  Community Builders was voted one of the six most significant people or organizations that have benefited the community.  The six recipients of the award were: Yael Shaltieli, for her dedicated public service, Yael Yadidiya, the Malkishua Drug Rehabilitation Center, the Jewish conversion ulpan at Ein Hanatziv, the staff of the Nir David tourism branch, and, as mention, Community Builders.

More than 200 Valley residents were present last Monday in the dining hall of Ein Hanatziv, to honor organizations and people that have contributed to the community in the spheres of education, agriculture, tourism, etc.

Yisrael Nedivi was called on to say a few words on behalf of Partnership 2000.  He described the program and its beginnings as an initiative of the late professor Art Naparstek.  Following the screening of a short film on Community Builders, Zehava Levy and members of Women Helping Women recited a poem by Rakefet Ben-Haim.  The poem expresses the need to continue moving forward despite (and perhaps because of) the experience of bereavement.  Following this, they were awarded the prize along with a wreath of flowers.

A new director of Community Builders was recently selected, Ruthie Shimron-Vadai.  Ruthi holds a master’s degree in political science from Hebrew University and possesses vast experience in guiding social change and leading groups.  In her last position, she accompanied and guided—with great success—a group of cadets in the leadership program “Atidim – Cadets in Service to the Public”.  We wish her the best of success in fulfilling the mission of Community Builders.