The initiative "WE ARE CONNECTED." invites German partner organizations and young people from youth, school and volunteer exchange projects to stay in close contact with their Israeli partner organizations and friends. "We are connected. That is a statement. A declaration. An assurance. A commitment. An affirmation of the deep and diverse connections between young people and people of all generations from Germany and Israel" said the head of ConAct – Coordination Center for German-Israeli Youth Exchange, Christine Mähler, at the launch of the initiative "WE ARE CONNECTED.".

It encourages people to send visible signs of connection, support aid projects and develop fundraising ideas. On the evening of December 5, the initiative was presented to the public at an event in Berlin with more than 120 representatives of exchange cooperations between Germany and Israel. In addition to musical contributions from former exchange participants from the Leo Kestenberg Music School and the Israeli-Berlin Lechaim Band, as well as greetings from representatives of the Israeli Embassy and the German Federal Ministry of Youth, representatives of Israeli youth movements read eyewitness accounts from survivors and a commemorative prayer "Yizkor" for those murdered in the attacks on October 7, 2023.

The activities of the youth movements in the current war situation in Israel were also in the spotlight. One of the actors actively involving young people to help others is the Council of Youth Movements in Israel. The youth movements offer support to the families of the victims in various ways: They organize extracurricular activities for children and young people, they offer school lessons, they provide logistical help and emotional support for people of all ages in more than 100 places where the victims are currently staying. The main aim of "WE ARE CONNECTED." is to give these aid projects a platform and to make the solidarity of the partners in Germany visible and tangible.

All those interested, (former) participants and those responsible in the network of youth contacts between Germany and Israel are cordially invited to take part! Email: contact@we-are-connected.org

The initiative is supported by an alliance of organizations in Germany and Israel:

ConAct – Coordination Center German-Israeli Youth Exchange / ConAct – Koordinierungszentrum Deutsch-Israelischer Jugendaustausch

Israel Youth Exchange Authority (IYEA) / Israelische Behörde für Jugendaustausch

Council of Youth Movements in Israel (CYMI) / Rat der Jugendbewegungen in Israel

German Federal Youth Council / Deutscher Bundesjugendring (DBJR)

German Sports Youth / Deutsche Sportjugend (DSJ)

Maccabi Israel Sports Organization / Maccabi Israel Sportorganisation

Young Forum of the German-Israeli Society / Junges Forum der Deutsch-Israelischen Gesellschaft (JuFo DIG)

Educational Service for School Exchange Partnerships / Pädagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD)

German Association of Cities and Communities / Deutscher Städte- und Gemeindebund (DStGB)

Federation of Local Authorities in Israel / Verband der lokalen Behörden in Israel