Shalom Chaverim!  We finally did it!!!  Finally?  Yes, FINALLY!  Well, not really finally because this is only the beginning.  When I first met Miri Shahaf-Levi the summer of 2012 in New York City.  The Annual Dancing Classrooms Site Director’s Conference.  No sooner do I walk into the pre-conference festivities, than Pierre Dulaine grabs me by the arm to introduce me to Miri.  We talked about our programs ( you have heard us talk about “Dancing in Jaffa,” she oversees Dancing Classrooms Israel.) and began a conversation of how can we connect Pittsburgh and Israel.

Fast forward to February 2015.  Miri emails me and she tells me how Pittsburgh’s sister city in Israel, Karmiel, has two schools participating in Dancing Classrooms this year.  We talk details – especially the time difference as Israel is 6 hours ahead.  No problem as they will have their 20th lesson/Culminating event later in the day.  Perfect!  And when does everything go perfect????

Well, we did it.  Wasn’t easy, but it was truly a great experience.  Pittsburgh Linden ( special thanks to Ms Darla Jackson and parent volunteer, Mrs. Lori Smolar for all their help), Pittsburgh Colfax (Special thanks to Ms Conroy and Ms Stefanyak), and Pittsburgh Lincoln (special thanks to Principal Virginia HIll!) Face-timed and Skyped with the students at the Kalanit School and the Hadekel School in Karmiel, Israel.  Wow!  The Pittsburgh kids learned some Hebrew, cheered on their new “chaverim,” did the STOMP along with their chaverim at Kalanit School, and said “Todah Rabah (Thank You Very Much),” when it was time to say goodbye.  Miri, we look forward to SKYPE-ing with our new friends again soon!  Enjoy the pictures from this incredible event!!  Thanks to everyone, but especially all of the kids-both here in Pittsburgh and in Karmiel!  ( Thanks to our photographers from Dancing Classrooms Israel, Mark Rogalsky, Principal Virginia Hill, and Jennifer Hoffman!!!)