Ofakim is a development city of 28,000 in the northern Negev; about mid-way between Beersheva and Gaza. The Merchavim Regional Council consists of 14 small communities (moshavim) in the surrounding area, with a population of 9,000. The relationship between UJC MetroWest and these communities is part of Partnership 2000, a Jewish Agency program which began in 1996. The partnership has evolved from a focus on economic development to a wide range of initiatives designed to enhance the quality of life, with an emphasis on youth activities and thriving for excellence, including:

• Volunteer development.
• Student Leadership program.
• New Horizons Art Project.
• Music and sports activities.
• Enriched School Day including nutrition program.
• Youth at Risk programs.
• Creation of an art center through the generosity of a MetroWest community family.
• Kefiada – an English-speaking summer camp.
• Creation of a youth dance/singing group.
• Living bridge programs including Mifgash/Youth Encounters; Kefiada/English-speaking summer camps; School-to-School activities; Solomon Schechter Day School & Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School visits; counselors from the MetroWest Jewish community and Ofakim/Merchavim who staff the family summer camp in the Ukraine.
• Center for women and outreach to girls at risk.
• Excellence in Motion – a program with the Israel Tennis Center.
• Several educational community programs in the elementary and high schools in the region.
• Special summer camp subsidies and an Intensive Care Ambulance as part of the Israel Emergency Campaign.