News Release - City Youth to Travel to Israel for Sister Cities Exchange

 City of Rochester

News Release

 

(Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren and International Sister Cities of Rochester (ISCOR) President and City Councilmember Carolee A. Conklin will meet with a group of eleven city youth who are preparing to travel to Rochester’s Sister City, Rehovot, Israel on Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 3 p.m. in the Atrium of City Hall, 30 Church St.

The student exchange is designed to help overcome the challenges of youth poverty and is based upon the concept that overseas travel may help at-risk youth envision a “world” of possibilities. The program began last summer when twelve Israeli teenagers visited Rochester to interact with local teens and learn about their respective cultures at various City R-Centers. Select participants from the City’s Youth Voice One Vision – the Mayor’s Advisory Council will be joined by students from Edison Career and Technology High School for the trip.

“We’re working hard to create safer more vibrant neighborhoods, more jobs and better educational opportunities for our citizens,” said Mayor Warren. “This unique educational trip gives our youth the opportunity to share their experiences, promote international understanding, cooperation and development through a variety of dynamic exchanges and will show our young people the world beyond our city limits. I am proud of our local youth delegation and grateful to the community partners who have made this overseas trip of a lifetime possible.”

The group, along with 6 adult chaperones, will depart Rochester on Aug. 21 for Rehovot. While there, the youth will meet with Mayor Rahamim Malul of Rehovot, tour Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and visit the Dead Sea.

Funding for the trip was provided via a grant from the Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation and housing is being provided by the Hebrew University College of Agriculture dormitory in Rehovot.

“Both Rochester and Rehovot are home to young people who could benefit from a strong support network and a better understanding of the value of education,” said ISCOR President Conklin. “This project is a perfect example of what Sister Cities can accomplish in cooperation with volunteers and community organizations. I am confident that Rochester’s youth delegation will be enlightened and I’m excited for them to envision what they might accomplish as adults.”

Rehovot, located southeast of Tel Aviv, was founded in 1890 by Polish Jews and is home to 140,000 people. The diverse and modern city is known for its world-recognized Weitzman Institute of Science and is home to large communities of immigrants from Yemen, Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union. The Rochester-Rehovot Sister Cities relationship began in 1972.

For further information, contact Dan Karin, Chair of the Rochester-Rehovot Sister Cities Committee at 473-7596 or visit www.cityofrochester.gov/sistercities.

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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo, 428-7135.