11/03/2025
WATCH: Beit Shean and Valley of Springs Mayors Visit Cleveland to Strengthen Partnership
For nearly three decades, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland has shared a remarkable partnership with the city of Beit Shean and the Valley of Springs region in Israel. What began in 1995 as a vision of connection and mutual growth has blossomed into a living bridge—one built on shared values, friendship, and a deep commitment to strengthening Jewish life in both communities.
Over the years, this partnership has launched transformative initiatives in areas like mental health, STEM education, and leadership development for youth and adults. Each program reflects a belief that when communities learn from one another and invest in each other’s success, everyone grows stronger.
Recently, that spirit of collaboration came to life once again when the mayors of Beit Shean and the Valley of Springs, along with their professional teams, visited Cleveland in October 2025. It was the first time a delegation of this level had been to Cleveland—creating a historic opportunity to deepen collaboration between the two municipalities and our local community.
The delegation focused on learning both about Jewish Cleveland and about strategies for regional development. Throughout the week, they engaged with members of our Jewish community and high-level leaders in the greater Cleveland area. Their schedule included meaningful visits and discussions with leaders from the Greater Cleveland Partnership, Team NEO, Destination Cleveland, Global Cleveland, North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation, MAGNET, and the Van Aken District.
A highlight of the visit was an inspiring meeting with Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne and their staff, focused on how city–county collaboration can drive regional growth and innovation. These exchanges offered valuable insights into how Cleveland continues to revitalize its neighborhoods, attract new industries, and strengthen community ties—lessons that resonate deeply with Beit Shean and the Valley of Springs as they pursue similar goals.
Throughout the visit, participants often described the partnership as a “three-legged stool”—Cleveland, Beit Shean, and the Valley of Springs—each one supporting and strengthening the others. Together, they have spent 30 years “planting seeds” of progress, building leadership capacity, and nurturing generations who will carry this work forward.
“This feels like the beginning of a new frontier,” said Mark Holz, Federation’s Overseas Connections Committee chair. “We’ve built this relationship step by step, and we’re inspired to keep going. It reminds us that none of us are alone—we belong to something bigger, a community that truly wants to create change.”
“The partnership with Cleveland is truly life-changing,” said Noam Jumaa, Mayor of Beit Shean. “We want to say thank you to the amazing Cleveland community—for caring so deeply, for standing with us even in difficult times, and for always choosing to stay, to embrace us, and to keep the family strong.”
As the partnership looks ahead to its next chapter, the bonds between Cleveland and Beit Shean continue to exemplify what’s possible when people come together across distance to share ideas, values, and hope for a better future—for both communities and for the Jewish people everywhere.
For more information on our connection with Beit Shean and the Valley of Springs, contact Ilanit Gerblich Kalir at ikalir@jewishcleveland.org.
