youth exchange between Düsseldorf and Nir Haemek: A report by Sharon Nir-Bar
As part of our scholarship program “Network Israel – Solidarity with Democratic Civil Society in Israel” funded by the Remembrance, Responsibility and Future Foundation (EVZ), we welcome 15 scholarship holders in different partner organisations in Germany. By that we strengthen the civil exchange, Sharon is a great example for that.
Sharon came to Düsseldorf with a clear goal: to lay the foundation for a future youth exchange between WIZO Nir HaEmek and Düsseldorf. Supported by the Israel Scholarship Network, she visited WIZO Düsseldorf to work on this promising initiative.
She was warmly welcomed by the dedicated people of WIZO – Miel, Efrat, and Irit – who enthusiastically embraced the idea of a future youth delegation. Their meeting created space for dialogue, a shared vision, and concrete next steps in their collaboration.
This wasn’t Sharon’s first time in Düsseldorf. As a teenager, she had visited the city 34 years ago as part of a delegation within the framework of the city partnership between Haifa and Düsseldorf. Now she returned in a new role – as an educator specializing in sustainability and Holocaust education. Her mission is to empower young people to act responsibly in ecological matters, while encouraging deep reflection on Jewish identity and history.
Participating in the exchange program provided Sharon with fresh ideas and new international perspectives. Especially valuable was her close collaboration with WIZO Germany. The visit laid the groundwork for a youth delegation next year and marked an important step towards strengthening global partnerships and exploring new educational approaches.
“We are an international women’s organization dedicated to supporting those in need in Israel, regardless of origin or religion,” say the WIZO women.They volunteer in six local groups in Germany for the community in Israel. WIZO supports and strengthens people in need in Israel, regardless of religion or origin.
Through their volunteer work, they make an important contribution to peacebuilding and to shaping Israel’s multicultural society. They support initiatives that promote resilience and gender equality within the Israeli population. This approach also defines their collaboration with partners like Sharon – built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to advancing social change.
In addition to the exchange with WIZO Düsseldorf, Sharon’s visit to Germany was also the starting point for a new educational cooperation with the teacher Tomer Goldfarb from a Düsseldorf secondary school. The focus is on the topic of “water diplomacy” – a forward-looking teaching project that deals with the challenges of cross-border water resources such as the Jordan and the Kishon River. It is based on the EcoPeace education program, which specifically places ecological education at the service of dialogue and conflict prevention.
The collaboration with the school goes beyond technical exchange: it is about building bridges. When students learn together about water scarcity, environmental protection, and cross-border responsibility, they create a shared space for reflection, tolerance, and a vision for a more just future.
Alongside the working meetings, Sharon’s visit also included a rich cultural program. She visited the Holocaust Memorial, the Chagall exhibition, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Neanderthal Museum. A particularly moving moment was when she lit a memorial candle at a Stolperstein – honoring the Jewish victims of Düsseldorf.
“More than 30 years ago, I came here as a student as part of a youth exchange between Haifa and Düsseldorf. Now I’ve returned as a teacher – to prepare the ground for the next generation. It was deeply moving and inspiring,” Sharon reflected.
As a parting gift, she presented her hosts with a jar of honey from the school beekeeping program at WIZO Nir HaEmek – a sweet symbol of a new connection. Her conclusion: “This is just the beginning.”
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