Partnership 2000, sometimes abbreviated as P2K, is a new and powerful way for Israelis and Diaspora communities to get to know each other.

The Partnership brings people in Jewish Federation communities together with Israelis to develop relationships through joint projects and shared experiences. The Partnership is truly a "people-to-people" connection.

Visit the Modi'in Rochester Partnership website.

"The Rochester Jewish community and the community of Modi'in have a great deal in common," commented Howard Grossman, Federation president at the time the Rochester-Modi'in partnership was formed. Howard added, "we are both largely suburban communities. There are wonderful opportunities for young families in Rochester, for example, to get to know young families in Modi'in."

Partnership 2000 was launched internationally in 1995 and concentrates on Israel's peripheral areas, like the Negev and Galilee, which hold more than two-thirds of Israel's land reserves, yet house only 17% of the population. Today, over 40 regions have been matched with 550 Diaspora communities.

Volunteers and professionals from our Federation in Rochester went on a fact-finding mission in June 2003 to explore Partnership communities for Rochester. Modi'in, one possibility, was conveniently located half way between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Modi'in was selected by the Federation after a year long process as a perfect place to begin to build "people to people" relationships between Rochesterians and Israelis. 

Steering Committees were formed both in Rochester and in Modi'in. Several members of the Rochester Committee, including then Co-Chairs Don Onimus and Lorraine Wolch, traveled to Modi'in during a visit to Israel for the 2003 General Assembly, held in Jerusalem, in November.

Mission participants were warmly welcomed by Modi'in's eminent Partnership steering committee, headed at the time by General Amos Malka, who retired from the Israel Defense Forces in 2002 after a long, distinguished career. General Malka last served as Head of IDF Ground Forces and as Director of Defense Intelligence. Avi Golan, past Jerusalem Post Board Vice Chair and Executive Director, is another distinguished member of the committee, which includes professionals, entrepreneurs, and educators.

While in Modi'in, the Partnership 2000 steering committee met with their Israeli counterpart committee and developed a plan for a variety of projects and programs to bring our communities closer together. Others on the mission got the flavor of life in Modi'in, visiting schools, the community center, and the YOZMA reform synagogue and kindergarten.

The two groups came together mid-afternoon for a moving tree planting ceremony, creating a new grove overlooking the center of town; this future forest symbolizes the beginning and growth of our new long term relationship. A festive dinner with Modi'in residents at a wonderful local restaurant capped off the day.

Get caught up on our Partnership 2000 activites below or go directly to our Rochester-Modi'in website:

Read more about the original Modi'in Mission and see photos by visiting the Mission log. 
View photos from the performance of Modi'in's own "ZOOZ N' DANCE," in April 2004.
Check out more photos from the group's week-long visit here.
Visit photo galleries from the June 2004 visit of Modi'in's Partnership Chair Major General (Ret.) Amos Malka and the delegation from Modi'in.
Read about our Camp Counselor Exchange of 2005.
View photos from the visit of the Modi'in Steering Committee to Rochester in July, 2005.
Learn about the Journey for Identity - 14 teens from Rochester and 14 teens from Modi'in went on an intercontinental Journey for Identity, July-August, 2005.
The Education Bridge - here and in Israel in 2006-07.
The Artist Exchange in 2006-07.
Learn about Koreh Rochester, 2008-09.

Scroll down for more Partnership links below...

For more information, write to jazoff@jewishrochester.org.