WelcomeDecember, 2007 Dear Friends: I want to take this moment to welcome you personally to this Arts Midwest World Fest curriculum guide for Israel, which has been used extensivelyÑand very successfullyÑby schools and teachers throughout the Midwest in conjunction with previous visits by Israeli artists. Arts Midwest World Fest fosters an understanding and appreciation of commonalties and differences through the arts and education. With this significantly expanded curriculum focusing on the challenge of understanding and appreciating the other in a global society, Arts Midwest World Fest continues to break new ground in its important work. This curriculum was prepared for us by Shlomo Fox and a team of educators at the Nesiya Institute in Jerusalem, Israel. We are very grateful for their work. We have also included a vast array of supplemental teaching aides that we hope will bring the programÑand its messageÑalive in your classrooms! We feel confident that the combination of your good workÑand the effective use of the curriculum you now have access toÑwill contribute greatly to the educational experience and growth of the many students who come into contact with your programs this year. As always, we rely on and appreciate your feedback on these materials, and look forward to incorporating your insights in years to come. Good luck with your work this year. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions. Sincerely, Sylvia Kaufman |