The Canada-Galilee Panhandle Partnership started with the establishment of Gesher Chai. Based on a strategic plan centering on youth education, Gesher Chai creates deep, meaningful people-to-people connections between Canadian and Galilee Panhandle residents. Through a series of informal educational programs, the partnered communities become more closely connected, thereby strengthening the relationship between the Jewish people, its land and its heritage.

Twinning 15 Galilee Panhandle schools with 15 Canadian Coast-to-Coast schools, Gesher Chai activities include:

Mifgashim
Canadian and Israeli student groups visit fellow students in their respective countries. Canadian youth enjoy these Israel Experience encounters, while Israeli youth participate in reciprocal visits to Canada.

Teacher Exchanges
Educators from Israel and Canada visit their respective communities, where they develop joint curricula and school projects that enhance Jewish education and foster greater mutual understanding of each community.

Summer Camps
Israeli and Canadian counselors and counselors-in-training work together at Canadian summer camps, such as Camp Kadimah in Nova Scotia and Camp B'nai Brith in Ottawa.

Virtual Projects
Through videoconferencing and email, students on both sides of the globe participate in online events with their twin schools.

Special-Interest Delegations
Young Galilee Panhandle athletes have participated in summer sporting competitions as part of Vancouver’s Maccabi teams, while dance troupes from Vancouver and Kiryat Shmona have exhibited their talents together.