Sandy Springs Welcomes Delegation From Israel's Western Galilee

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- Next week, the city of Sandy Springs will welcome a delegation from the Western Galilee, Israel, to celebrate its new Sister City relationship.

The visit will kick off on Sept. 11, and the relationship is designed "to explore business and cultural partnerships between the cities," the city of Sandy Spring said.

The Western Galilee is a small region in Israel’s northwestern corner. It is comprised of 12 independent local authorities that formally joined in 2009 to promote more efficient governance. Sandy Springs and the Western Galilee Cluster officially became Sister Cities in October 2015 during a delegation visit by Sandy Springs to the Israeli region.

The delegation from Israel will visit Sandy Springs Sept. 11-18.

“I am delighted to welcome my friends from the Western Galilee to Sandy Springs to return the hospitality demonstrated during our visit last fall to Israel,” said Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul. “In addition to the cultural and tourism possibilities, there is great potential within the business sector, and we are excited to assist in making those valuable connections.”

The delegation from the Western Galilee includes Mayor Shlomo Bohbot (Maalot Tashiha); Mayor Sivan Yechilei (Kfar Vradim); Mayor Shimon Gueta (Maale Yosef); Mayor Yoram Israeli (Mateh Asher); Deputy Mayor Moshe Davidovich (Mateh Asher); Yael Ron (Western Galilee Cluster); and Yariv Hameiri (CEO, Treasures of the Galilee).

As part of the Sister City agreement, the communities have agreed to focus on three core sectors for exchange: medical technology, information technology and cyber security and tourism.

During their visit to Sandy Springs, the delegation will visit with hospital leadership, meet with business leaders as well as provide local tourism operators with an overview of the Western Galilee region. The delegation will also visit The Weber School and Heards Ferry Elementary School and meet with Fulton County School System leaders to learn more about the city’s educational system. An agenda for the visit is below.

Monday, Sept. 12

-10 a.m.: Tourism in the Metro Area

• Tour Georgia Aquarium
• History of Tourism Development in Atlanta; Location: World of Coca-Cola
• Meetings with Hotel Developers; Location: World of Coca-Cola

-2 p.m.: city of Sandy Springs Driving Tour

-Evening: private reception hosted by Mayor Paul

Tuesday, Sept. 13

-8:15 a.m.: Medical Industry Focus

• Tour Emory-St. Joseph Cancer Center
• Tour Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
• Lunch meeting with Hospital Administration from Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital, Northside Hospital and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta; Location: Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

-2:30 p.m.: Business and Industry Briefings

• Location: Habif Arogeti & Wynne (5 Concourse Parkway)
• Participating Companies: TAG, Wandering Wifi, AirWatch, Conexx, Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber, Habif, Arogeti & Wynne

-6:30 p.m.: Community Reception

• Location: Congregation Or Hadash

Wednesday, Sept. 14

-9 a.m.: Education: Private Schools

• Location: The Weber School
• Tourism & Culture: Tour Operators Meeting; Location: The Weber School

-12:30 p.m.: Education: Fulton County Public Schools

• Lunch and Tour - Heard Ferry Elementary School

-2 p.m.: Education: Fulton County Public Schools

• Location: Fulton County Schools Administrative Offices

-Evening Private Reception: Israeli Consul General

Thursday, Sept. 15

-9 a.m.: Building a Community Gathering Place: tour of City Springs development

-noon: Lunch at Hammocks Trading Company

-1:30 p.m.: Governing Models: city of Sandy Springs/Fulton County overview

• Location: Sandy Springs City Hall

Friday, Sept. 16

-9 a.m.: Medical Device / Logistics Industry

• Location: UPS

-Afternoon: Free Day for Delegation

-6:30 p.m.: Shabbat Service: B’nai Torah Synagogue

Saturday, Sept. 17

-Free Day for Delegation

Sunday, Sept. 18

-Delegation Departs for Israel

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