The Davis Academy brought the students to Atlanta through a partnership with American ORT via the organization's Student Leadership Endowment Fund. ORT is one of the largest non-governmental organized educational systems in the world with partnerships in a number of countries.

The program's originator and Davis Academy Head of School, Rabbi Steven Ballaban, said the goal of this cultural exchange program was twofold. First, the program was designed to raise awareness of the hardships these students face during their time of economic crisis and military unrest, and second, to reinforce the idea that, as a Jewish family, it is our responsibility to care for one another.

ORT's National Director, Baruj Zaidenknop, saw this program as a wonderful vehicle for cultural exchange, and said, "this two-month program gave Davis Academy students and Argentinean and Israeli ORT students the unique opportunity to learn from one another and build lasting relationships, while at the same time, helping them gain a greater understanding of their individual and common heritage."

All of the students in the program worked on a variety of projects to help them understand their differences while highlighting the fact that each is a part of the global Jewish family. The students also spent time touring many historical sites and tourist attractions and worked together on community outreach projects. Additionally, the visiting students attended Shabbat dinners and services with Davis Academy students and families to maintain the connection to their Jewish heritage.

The Alfred and Adele Davis Academy is one of Federation's local beneficiary agencies, and received an allocation of $268,608 in FY04.