The Jewish Agency for Israel, one of the Jewish Federation’s main partner agencies, will help connect local religious schools with schools in Israel for the purpose of long-term cultural exchange and collaboration. In the photo, Merav Shany, Director of School Twinning for the the Jewish Agency for Israel, is with Jewish Federation CEO Judy Alperin (left) and Ezra Academy’s Head of School Dr. Melanie Waynik (right).

In her visit, Shani met with clergy from Temple Beth Tikvah in Madison, Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek in Chester, Temple Beth Shalom in Hamden and the combined Congregation B’nai Jacob in Woodbridge and Or Shalom religious school Yachad, as well as Ezra Academy, which is currently twinned with a school in Afula. Other community congregations will also be engaged in the hope of twinning with a partner school in Israel, providing the opportunity for meaningful educational and cultural exchange.