Last May, we were fortunate to host the Ashkelon teachers in Baltimore, and in late January, I visited them in Ashkelon. These delegations allow teachers to immerse themselves in their partner’s schools, engage with students, plan the year’s lesson plans, work on their final project, and gain a deeper understanding of each other’s cities. 

This year’s delegations were especially significant—they were the first ones since 2019! Between COVID-19 and the ongoing war in Israel our ability to travel was non existent. 

A Moment in History 

Before diving into some details of our Shevet Achim delegation to Israel, I have to acknowledge the timing of it.  

Originally, we planned to visit Ashkelon on October 14, 2023. When the war broke out, we had to postpone and find other ways to support our partners from afar. At the time, we weren’t sure if or when a new date would be possible. 

Ultimately, our trip was rescheduled for January—before the latest hostage release and ceasefire deal had been signed. While in Israel, we witnessed history unfold as three hostages—Agam Berger, Arbel Yehud and Gadi Moses—were released from Hamas captivity.  

This wasn’t just something we watched on our phones. While traveling to the Nova Festival memorial site, we saw the helicopters transporting Agam back to her family. It was a deeply emotional and unforgettable moment for all of us. 

The past 16 months have been incredibly challenging for students in both cities—whether living in a war zone or facing the rise of antisemitism. But through it all, they had each other. They had someone to talk to, someone who understood their struggles, and someone who truly cared. 

Highlights from Our Delegation 

One moment that truly encapsulated the depth of these connections came from a 7th-grade student at Ohr Chadash. When asked to write a letter to her partner so the teacher can bring it with her to Israel, she was confused.  

She didn’t understand why she needed to write a letter when she had just spoken to her partner on FaceTime the night before. They created such a strong bond that I was told her partner, an only child, had told her she was “the sister she never had.” 

This is just one of many stories that highlight the profound impact of people-to-people programs. These are more than just exchanges—they are relationships that transcend distance, creating lifelong bonds. 

Beyond the Classroom 

What I love most about Shevet Achim is that it goes beyond its original goals. While the program’s primary focus is on connecting students, it also fosters deep relationships between the program’s teachers, schools and even families. Some of these connections have lasted for years, strengthening ties between Baltimore and Ashkelon in ways we never could have imagined. 

Shevet Achim is more than just a program—it’s a bridge between communities, built on friendship, understanding, and shared experiences. 

Shevet Achim is a school twinning program run by Jewish Educational Services and supported by The Associated’s Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership. Its mission is to foster meaningful relationships between students in Baltimore and Ashkelon. This two-year program (per cohort) includes three schools from each city. The schools involved are: 

• Ohr Chadash Academy with Madayim school (7th and 8th grade) 

• Krieger Schechter Day School  with Omanuyot (7th and 8th grade) 

• Baltimore Hebrew Congregation with Nof Yam (5th and 6th grade)