I want to share with you my deepest gratitude for our USA operating team who dedicated four full days to participate in our annual meeting. This meeting is a cornerstone for our team’s cohesion and growth, and, for some is the first time meeting face-to-face, rather than by Zoom. The camaraderie built during these days is invaluable. We convened in Montgomery, Texas, reviewing our program, policies, procedures, and processes based on feedback from teen and host family surveys.
This summer’s program was a resounding success. Good leadership, along with the enthusiasm of our teens and host families in all US venues, has left all with lifelong lessons and memories. For many reasons, we held our Middle East program in Israel this year, which exceeded expectations thanks to the meticulous planning of Rivkah Hanssen, David Rodich, Yasmine Masri, Hala Saris, and Valerie Warshaw.
Looking ahead, David and I will travel to Cyprus and Israel in mid-October. We’ll celebrate the Cyprus teens’ graduation on October 18 and meet with our Cypriot coordinators to review proposed changes and prepare for the 2026 program year. From there, we’ll head to Israel to honor our 2024 and 2025 graduates and hold strategic meetings to deepen our local presence and plan for the future.
I remain inspired by the extraordinary work our team does and the impact we’re making. In a world that urgently needs peace, CFP continues to provide a platform for young people to experience new narratives, build trust and friendships, and feel empowered to become voices of change in their communities.
Tammy Haas
CFP Executive Director