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Shira Parshan
Living The Connection
Akiva graduate begins her year of
national service in Israel.
Yaffa Klugerman
Special to the Jewish News
W
hen Shira Parshan began
ninth grade at Akiva
Hebrew Day School in
Southfield, she forged a bond with the
bnot sherut le'umi, two young Israeli
women who spent the year volunteer-
ing at the school.
"On the last day they were there
recalled Shira, "they said, 'It's not
goodbye. It's l'hitraot, which means,
see you soon. That line really stuck
with me:'
Now that she has graduated, Shira,
17, is getting ready to emulate those
bnot sherut: This year, she, too, will
be participating in Sherut Le'umi, or
Israel's National Service.
The program is typically meant for
young religious Israeli women in place
of mandatory army service in the
Israel Defense Forces. Participants may
work at schools, nursing homes, hos-
pitals, immigrant absorption centers,
disadvantaged communities and many
other organizations. Service usually
involves 30-40 hours per week for one
to two years.
But some Americans also volunteer
for National Service. Shira, who gradu-
ated high school in June, noted that
many Akiva alumni have opted to sign
up for Sherut Le'umi following a year
of studies in Israel.
But, she added, "I think I'm the
first one ever to do it right after high
school:'
The step might be an unusual one,
but not for Shira, who feels deeply
connected to Israel. She credits her
Zionism to her education at Akiva
Hebrew Day School as well as her
leadership involvement in the Bnei
Akiva youth group at Young Israel of
Oak Park.
"The reason I am doing this right
after high school;' she said, "is because
I feel Israel is my country, and I have
to give back:'
She will be the first Michigander
to be doing National Service in the
Ramat Gan neighborhood in Tel Aviv.
In the mornings, she will be working
in a nursery where children of various
backgrounds will be enrolled. In the
afternoons, she will be working with
neighborhood teens. On weekends, she
will be running programs for youth.
"We see Shira as a unique example
of an individual living Bnei Akiva's ide-
als to the fullest," said Maayan Ditcher,
who heads the Bnei Akiva group in
Ramat Gan. "We also believe she will
be an excellent example to her Israeli
friends in the group, who already see
her as someone willing to go a long
way for ideals and values:'
Shira's volunteer work will earn her
a small stipend, but will not be easy.
She will be tasked with building posi-
tive connections with the Israeli youth,
many of whom come from troubled
homes. And she will need to do it all
in Hebrew.
"In my group, there are no
Americans," Shira said. "I chose that.
I really wanted to understand what it's
like to live in Israel, like a sabra, an
Israeli who lives the lifestyle, with par-
ents and grandparents that fought for
the country:'
In the meantime, Shira has been
learning about Israel's language and
culture by watching Israeli TV shows.
Her parents have been helping her
prepare for her trip abroad and are
thrilled with her choice.
"When she was looking for a pro-
gram to do after high school, I told her
that I was totally OK with her doing
something out of the box," said her
mother, Lisa. "I thought this was a per-
fect fit for who she was:'
Lisa's husband, David, agreed. "I
think it's very exciting," he said. "She's
very Zionistic, and she's helping out
Israel. It's a win-win situation:'
25a
Fred Astaire Dance Studio performance:
Ballroom Dancing Extravaganza at La Place
Broadway Musicals & Entertainment:
The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage
26thi
Champagne, Sparkling Wine & Swarovski
Crystal at Fleming's Steakhouse
Oyster 101 at Mitchell's Fish Market
Caribbean Escape at Bahama Breeze Island Grille
27thi
National Wine Event at Fleming's Steakhouse
Destination France at Giovanni's Ristorante
BHS Rededication Ceremony
281k
Cask Wine Tasting from Ohio Medal
Winning Wineries at La Place
Live Fashion Experience at Beachwood Place
Get Appy at The Microsoft Store:
Interactive Games, Tech Tips, & Snacks
BHS Public Tours
2 91k
Brunch presented by Chef Rob at Cedar Creek Grille
Cleveland Clinic 5K Run
❑
Yaffa Klugerman is a public relations
consultant for Akiva Hebrew Day School.
The SLAP Jazz Trio perform at the Beachwood Library
More Details at VisitBeachwoodOhio.com
Beachwood Convention a Visitors Bureau 216.378.9333
August 29 • 2013 11