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Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met todat, with a group of Project Masa participants. Jewish Agency Chairman Zeev Bielski, Prime Minister's Office Director-General Ilan Cohen, Cabinet Secretary and Project Masa Steering committee Chairman Yisrael Maimon and senior Jewish Agency officials also attended the meeting.
Prime Minister Sharon said that he ascribes great importance to Project Masa: "The future of the Jewish People and the state of Israel depend on cooperating and tightening links with world Jewish communities. Each one of us shares in the responsibility for the future of the Jewish People."
The Project Masa participants discussed their experiences and studies in Israel. Rachel, 21, from North America, who volunteers in Ofakim, said that Project Masa and Chanukah symbolized the building up, and the education, of the Jewish People.
The Project Masa participants gave Prime Minister Sharon a Chanukah menorah (candelabra) that they had made and said that, for them, it symbolized the various streams and movements in the Diaspora Jewish communities.
Prime Minister Sharon told the Project Masa participants: "You are our ambassadors abroad, in movements and on campuses; each one of you can represent Israel and describe your experiences and studies here. Israel seeks peace and a secure place for the Jewish People."
Prime Minister Sharon wished his guests a Happy Chanukah.
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