Twinning
Eleven years ago, this program began when an Irishman visited a relative - a member of the Ramapo Council of United Americans - at her home in Montebello. The mountains in Ramapo reminded the visitor of similar mountains in Ireland. Feeling that the two communities had much in common, and wanting to bring the two municipalities together, he asked to meet with Ramapo’s Town Supervisor. The Supervisor liked the idea and asked residents of Irish heritage to meet to discuss the possibilities. One member of the committee traveled to Ireland and visited with municipal officials there. They, too, agreed that it would be a wonderful idea to develop a “cultural exchange” between the countries. The Irish Twinning Committee was formed as a not-for-profit organization. The committee thought it would be a grand idea to sponsor a student exchange between the two towns and, in addition, invite all residents to travel between the twin communities. The committee decided that an essay contest, open to all Town of Ramapo resident students in 10th and 11th grades, should be held in the local high schools. The Irish Twinning Committee sponsored a golf outing to raise money to send the students to Ireland, and so the “Twinning” program was born. Other residents liked the idea so much that they formed committees to follow in the footsteps of the first committee that was formed. Over the past 11 years, the Town of Ramapo has been involved in student exchange programs with towns in Ireland, Italy, Israel, the Philippines, India and Africa. Each Committee is open to all residents of the Town of Ramapo. If you would like to join any “twinning” committee, please contact Anita Finkelstein, 357-5100, x 315.
The following Twinning programs exist: