In his greeting Consul General Dr. Hans-Jürgen Heimsoeth emphasized the importance of promoting the Jewish religion and lifestyle among German students:“This program cannot be underestimated and builds up mutual trust and understanding between young Jewish-Americans and Germans.” He also pointed to the rather unnoticed fact that the European Union and Israel are only 150 miles apart as opposed to the geographical distance between the USA and Europe. This is why “the exchange with European countries in general and Germany in particular is intensive and common interests and challenges of real life (…) bring them together”. To form the same human bond and let relations grow steadily there is the ongoing necessity to have American Jews and Germans get to know each other better.

How much the German government appreciates this program was made clear in a welcome address from the Minister of State at the Federal Chancellery, Hildegard Müller. She pointed out that the “unique qualitiy of German-American relations is based on shared values” and is “constantly given new life by the close network and commitment of organizations” like the North American Board of Rabbis. "This is a fine contribution towards the goal of tikkun olam, repairing the world!"Karsten Voigt Coordinator of German-North American Cooperation at the Federal Foreign Office also sent his regards and sees the program as “a solid pillar in the architecture of the intensive German-American-Jewish dialogue for many years”.

A vital factor of the thriving program is the generous contributions of some of the largest German corporations in the USA. The annual exchange program has been made possible for seven years now with their donations. Among others, Deutsche Telekom, Mercedes and KPMG participate in the program.
This year, the president and CEO of Deutsche Telekom, Klaus-Peter Statz, was honored with the “Tikkun Olam-Award” (“Repair the World”) for his support.

Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum, who presented the award, explained the name “Tikkun Olam” as a part of an expression from the Jewish Wisdom Literature, reflected in the Old Testament stating, that by loving all people of all faiths, races and ethnities the world will eventually become a better place. Statz praised the exchange as “a finest of its kind” and was “struck by the passion of everybody involved”. He underlined that it is an honor for him to help transforming hearts and minds: “With exceptional energy and skill, building is precisely what NABOR is doing in its youth exchange program. The uniqueness of the program lies in its focus. It encourages the participants not only to learn about the past but to turn toward the future and to assume their places as partners in the building of a better world. The young participants are made to come face to face with the fact of our shared humanity. The one who had formerly been the “other,” or worse, the “enemy” has become the “partner” or the “friend.”

How many great memories the students bring home was shown by the very refreshing speech of one of the participants of the exchange program and one parent of an exchange student. Wayne Price whose son went to Germany three years ago found it remarkable that “we have much more in common than we thought we would have originally”. The 18-year-old Merrick Stone, who also took part in the program, told the guests about the deep friendship she built with her German host Svenja and how she still keeps in touch with her thanks to technological gadgets like notebooks and cell phones. Very vividly she described her stay in Berlin, her surprise about the meaning of the 18th. birthday for Germans and the importance for them to be able to vote and be involved politically. Besides, Merrick was completely stunned to find family members attending the proms of German students whereas in the USA this is an event explicitly for the entertainment of the students without any parental supervision or participation.

Literally exchanging cultures, the two girls grew very close and after all Merrick noticed that “while we’re different we’re the same”.

May 30, 2008