An Update from our Sister City
By Yedidya Yosef, Assistant Head of the Council in Mitzpe Ramon
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In 2025, Jewish Federation of Delaware established a connection with the desert city of Mitzpe Ramon. This union was fostered through The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership2Gether (P2G) Global Network. P2G works to promote, empower, and develop deep connections to strengthen Jewish communities in Israel and worldwide by creating revitalized, ongoing and meaningful engagement based on mutual endeavor and shared Jewish identity.
Through this partnership, Jewish Federation of Delaware offers support to Mitzpe Ramon in ongoing projects, making a day-to-day impact on the community. The following offers a tangible glimpse of that support in action.
Agricultural Research
The Mitzpe Ramon Branch of the Arava and Dead Sea Science Center is a leading research and development organization in Israel. Located in Mitzpe Ramon, the center includes researchers in geology, hydrology, ecology, anthropology and social studies, and environmental education. The research team consists of five researchers with PhD degrees, seven research assistants, and an administrative staff. The center initiates and promotes local, national, and international projects in the fields of education, community, urban agriculture, and tourism, including: CraterLand Geopark, LTSER platform and research station, emergency preparedness, urban desert agriculture, developing rock painting tourism, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
The researcher of the spectral bands project, Ariel Maroz, has a PHD from Hebrew University. His research focuses on developing tools to distinguish between direct human impact and climatic influence on the natural environment in arid regions, with an emphasis on natural vegetation and groundwater salinity. His primary research tools are remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), combined with artificial intelligence models to advance our understanding of complex spatial and environmental processes.
This research aims to ensure sustainable national food security and high-quality produce without degrading natural ecosystems or exhausting finite resources.
Competitive Sports Program:
Archery Club
The Mitzpe Ramon Archery Club continues to be a source of pride for the community and a powerful example of how access to quality extracurricular programs can foster excellence, discipline, and confidence among young people. The club brings together children and youth from diverse backgrounds, offering them a meaningful framework for personal growth, teamwork, and achievement.
An important part of this activity is made possible thanks to the support Jewish Federation of Delaware, which enables children who would not otherwise be able to participate.
Earlier this year, 13 of young archers traveled to the Wingate Institute to compete in the 2026 Israeli Youth Archery Championships, one of the most significant competitions of the year. Nearly 100 archers from across Israel participated in a long and demanding day of competition marked by focus, excitement, and impressive achievements. Our athletes returned home with outstanding results, including national champions, podium finishes, and several first-time competitors who achieved remarkable success. The next target is already in sight: the Israeli Adult Championships.
Apprenticeship in the Community
Apprenticeship in the Community is a year-long educational program for middle school and high school students that integrates two complementary components. The first is community-based apprenticeship learning, in which students are placed with local professionals in fields such as arts, services, science, food, and entrepreneurship, where they acquire practical tools and skills through real world experience. The second component is ongoing personal and educational mentoring provided by the program’s professional team, using a shared educational language developed specifically for the program. This mentoring focuses on interpersonal communication, reflective thinking, and transforming challenges into opportunities for personal growth.
The goal of the program is to cultivate young adults who are independent, responsible, and confident, with a strong sense of belonging and a deep connection to meaningful action within their community.
For students, the program strengthens motivation and a sense of meaning in learning; develops personal responsibility, choice making, perseverance, and depth; and provides real exposure to the adult world through hands on experience. It also deepens their connection to the local community.
For educational staff, the program offers a practical emotional educational language and strengthens relationships with students.
For the community, the program builds bridges between schools and local professionals, reinforcing local identity and a shared sense of belonging.
“A Club for Every Child” program
The extracurricular programs in Mitzpe Ramon can too expensive for a many people in the population. Thanks to this program, Mitzpe Ramon can strengthen and expand a diverse array of high-quality classes for children, parents, and family programs which serve as vital anchors of stability, enrichment, and connection in a geographically remote community. Beyond the activities themselves, this support has helped foster a sense of belonging, continuity, and opportunity, ensuring that families in Mitzpe Ramon can access educational and cultural experiences that are essential for community resilience and long-term wellbeing.
There are 28 new children coming to year-long after-school activities due to this new program.
The Impact is Only Growing
All these programs were able to grow due to significant help through the partnership and support of the Jewish Federation of Delaware. This partnership is only beginning, but it already enables these programs to operate at depth and scale, ensuring that students who need it most have access to meaningful educational experiences beyond the classroom.
The Federation’s support is not only financial, but strategic, allowing the program to grow, deepen its methodology, and reach young people at critical stages of their personal and educational development.
