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March 5, 2004/Adar 12 5764, Vol. 56, No. 24
Sister cities clears one more hurdle
BARRY COHEN
Editor
The Phoenix Sister Cities Commission voted to approve Ramat Gan, Israel, as a sister city on Feb. 25, but the final decision still requires a visit to Ramat Gan and an official vote by the Phoenix City Council.
"This is an opportunity for the sixth largest city in the country to have a sister city relationship with a growing city in Israel," said Rabbi Robert Kravitz, executive director of the Arizona Chapter of the American Jewish Com-mittee and co-chairman of the Phoenix-Ramat Gan Sister City Founders Council.
As sister cities, Phoenix and Ramat Gan would exchange business and cultural infor-mation, high-tech and bio-tech research, and even advice for disabled people and sports.
"Ramat Gan has the largest sports facility for disabled people in Israel," said Kravitz.
Phoenix's having a sister city in Israel "will provide a wonderful opportunity for the community to learn about Israel from a different perspective," said Cathy Wolf, director of the Jewish Com-munity Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. "We'll learn about the positive things that don't make the news."
The visit to Israel by officials from the City of Phoenix, the Phoenix Sister Cities Com-mission and the Founders Council may take place this spring, said Paula West, executive director for the Phoenix Sister Cities Com-mission.
Ramat Gan officials may also schedule a visit to Phoenix, she added.
The next step of the process, which began 20 months ago, would be for the Sister Cities Commission to request the city council to approve the sister cities' relationship, said West.
Phoenix already has nine sister cities.
"I urge for all who are interested to join the sister cities group," in part to provide needed funding, said Kravitz.
Approximately $50,000-$60,000 is needed per year to fund the Phoenix-Ramat Gan sister cities program, to pay for staffing, correspondence and travel, he said.
Call 602-534-3751 or visit the Web site, www.phoenixsistercities.org.
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