You have put your whole selves into volunteering to improve the wellbeing of the Israel community at large and the English speaking community in particular. It amazes me how from a seed that was thrown into the air in April 1979 at a meeting of veteran and immigrant English speakers in Israel, we have grown into a tree with deep and solid roots in the country we love and believe in. ESRA has had its own dynamism and spontaneity. It never was planned. We never set long term goals. We went step by step and ESRA unfolded into this eclectic organization with its own unique and original character. It is a product of the communities’ needs and those you expressed or identified, of the ideas and solutions you devised, of the work, time, energies and moneys you have invested in making it happen. Our vision was and still is that we, as immigrants from English speaking countries who brought with us a culture of volunteerism, should help others and enrich the quality of life of our communities and of this country we love and have chosen to live in – Israel. Israel has flourished in its 60 years of existence despite the struggles and difficulties. ESRA in its own small but determined way has contributed to Israel with our positive energies and belief in it. This 30 year celebration is a tribute to you the volunteers who have made ESRA what it is and what it will be in the future. Merle Guttmann ESRA Founder and Life President Close