Yoel Lavi, the mayor of Ramla, Kansas City, Mo., Israeli’s sister city, was in Kansas City last week for a “friendly visit.” The cities have had a relationship since 1995. While here he met for the first time with Mayor Sly James. His U.S. trip will also include stops in Detroit and Chicago.
Lavi said his first priority was to meet friends, including Jim Badzin and Karen Pack. He also took the time to help some Israeli friends meet with local car dealers in an effort to import cars to Israel.
Lavi, who has been mayor of Ramla for 18 years, has plenty of friends here due to the local Jewish community’s close relationship with the Israeli city.
“They take care of our society,” said Lavi. “Just a few weeks ago Karen Pack and Alan Edelman were in my office. They delivered $180,000 for afterschool programs, day care and other such programs. This help is very important for our society.”
Pack said the beauty of sister city relationships is the friendships that are formed.
“It’s not just money. It’s a relationship and these friendships last a lifetime,” Pack said.
Lavi spent Shabbat with Federation President and CEO Todd Stettner, who agreed that the relationships between the people in both cities is more than simply a business one.
“One of the nicest things about the relationship is the personal side. We’ve gotten to know people,” Stettner said. “It’s not just some anonymous community we’re helping.”
“This relationship is very special and we are very fortunate,” Lavi added.