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• Congregation Shaarey Zedek of Oakland County
• Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit

A Perfect Match

New Israel shaliach
brings familiarity,
enthusiasm to job.

Vivian Henoch
Special to the Jewish News

y

oav Raban, the community's new
shaliach (emissary) is from the
Jewish Federation of Metopolitan
Detroit's Partnership 2000 Region in the
Central Galilee. He comes with a personal
knowledge of our community and is excited
to return in his new role working for the
Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI).
JAFI, a Federation partner, recruits
and trains young, dynamic and talented
Israelis as emissaries for educational
placement in Jewish communities, youth
organizations and campuses worldwide.

Q: Among this elite group selected by

JAFI, you were essentially groomed
for the role through your previous
connections with Birthright Israel,
the Federation's Teen Mission and the
Israeli Camper Program. Would you say
you represent a new model of shaliach?
A: "For many young people and their
families in the Detroit Jewish commu-
nity, I am already a familiar face. That in
itself is a tremendous privilege and an
advantage as I move into the role of the
community's shaliach. For me, the selec-
tion process was intensive and accelerated
by the mutual desire of the Detroit-Central
Galilee Partnership that I return to the
community for a full-time two-year com-
mitment to Federation's shlichot program.
"It's great to be back; I will say it feels
like home away from home. A much colder
home, I would have to admit. But even
though it can get freezing cold here, the
community has been very warm and wel-
coming — the experience has been over-
whelming and heartwarming."

Q: At age 28, you have had
Participating in a
a variety of experiences
Birthright Israel student
that have prepared you
exchange from Hillel of
well for your assignments
Metropolitan Detroit
here. Tell us a little more
in Israel, I came to
about your background.
Michigan for the first
A: "I graduated in 2006
time in September 2001
from the University of
to meet again with the
Haifa with a B.A. in social
group. I have made
work and served in the IDF
long-lasting connec-
Intelligence Corps from
tions through that expe-
1998 to 2001.
rience. One in particular
"I would say that many
with my good friend
_
things in my background
Jason Cooperman of
Yoav Raban
have led me to Michigan,
West Bloomfield, for
where I now have the opportunity to 'con-
whom I came back this May to be best
nect all the dots.'
man in his wedding.
"I grew up in Kibbutz Ramat David
"Additionally, I was a counselor at
in the Jezreel Valley and played on the
Tamarack Camps in 2002, and then
regional basketball varsity team. As a
returned to Tamarack as the supervisor
10th-grader with this team, I came to the
of the Israeli campers from the region
U.S. for the first time in December 1994.
in 2003. In the summer of 2004, I was a
Experiencing Jewish life and the celebra-
counselor on Federation's Teen mission.
tion of Chanukah outside of Israel greatly
impacted me.
Q: So with your love of basketball, you
"Working through the Federation's
must be a Pistons fan?
Partnership 2000 connections, I
A: "I must say that I have the highest
started my first program in May 2001.
respect for them, but I am a Celtics fan.

0,-O CC O

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