British schoolchildren and parents experience life in the Galil

Twenty parents and pupils from Clore Tikvah Primary School in London travelled to Israel at the end of May 2010 to spend a week in the Galil with their partner school, the Kerner Ma'ale HaGalil Primary School in Meona.

The visit was organised through the Jewish Agency and supported by UJIA as part of the School to School Partnership Programme that encourages connections between Jewish communities in the UK and Israel.

Whilst being very enjoyable, it was a very intensive week. The delegates met with their host families and their children from the Kerner School and spent a magical Shabbat at their houses living as Israelis. They learnt about their lives and visited various local entrepreneurial establishments that support and enrich this thriving and developing community.

Throughout the school year, children from Clore Tikva share activities with the Kerner School and gain further awareness that we are all part of a larger Jewish world and have a joint heritage and tradition. This partnership is a family affair and involves the whole community both here in the UK and in Israel. In the words of one parent:

"It was a wonderful experience to meet the teachers at the Kerner School. I have made new friends through the delegation and now that we are home, I know they will stay my friends."

You can see more pictures from the trip and read testimonies of parents and pupils in the Living Bridge newsletter.