OUR COMMUNITY
S
hinshin (ש”ש). It’s the
Hebrew acronym for
Shenat Sherut which
means “year of service.
” Kind of
like our gap year, Shenat Sherut
is a program some Israeli high
school graduates take part in
before starting their military
service. Recently, four such
young Israelis (collectively
known as shinshinim) touched
down in Metro Detroit.
For the next year, Noa Levi,
Itay Schwartz, Ron Harel
and Amit Bellin will make
Michigan their home away
from home … with home
being the Central Galilee,
famous for its kibbutzim,
moshavim, dance and music
festivals. It’s also Metro
Detroit’s Partnership2Gether
region where programs like
the Israeli Camper Program
and Detroit Community Teen
Mission give families in Israel
and Michigan the chance to
connect.
“
Americans often hear and
read about life in Israel,
” says
Dona Stillman, associate direc-
tor of the Israel and Overseas
Department at the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit, “but the shinshinim
help them understand what it’s
really like to be Israeli.
“Synagogues, schools, camp,
the JCC … We hope they’ll be
everywhere and meet every-
one!” she adds. “Their role is
to bring Israel here in a very
tangible way.
”
“Welcome to Detroit” to our
newest shinshinim. We’re so
happy you’re here!
Noa Levi
NOA LEVI
Hometown:
Kibbbutz Yifat
School Majors:
Chemistry and
Biology
Interests: Dance,
technology
What is your favorite food, and
where is the best place in Israel
to get it?
“There are two very clear
groups. First, everything my
mom makes, obviously the best
place to get it is our kitchen.
Second, ice cream and yogurt,
there’s an amazing place in
Ramat Yishay called Aglida.
Best ever.
”
Amit Bellin
AMIT BELLIN
Hometown: Ahuzat
Barak
School Majors: Art
& Music
Interests: Playing
piano, drawing
What is your favor-
ite Jewish holiday? Why? How
does your family celebrate it?
“Sukkot, for many reasons
— especially because I love
decorating the sukkah with
my brother. The weather is
the absolute best, and we love
spending a night outside in
the sukkah that we build with
our father. I also love the fact
that Sukkot calls you to host as
many people, family, friends
or complete strangers. True,
Sukkot does not have any spe-
cial foods, but it just means you
can eat whatever!”
Itay
Schwartz
ITAY SCHWARTZ
Hometown:
Shimshit
School Majors:
Economics/
Business and
Theater
Interests: Sports,
theater, photography
What is one special place for you
in your area? Why is it special?
Is there a story of a particular
memory you have from that
place?
“In Shimshit, there is a special
place called ‘Hamitzpe’ (The
Lookout). First of all, there is
an amazing view of the fields
which represent the Jezreel
valley. Secondly, this is our
‘meeting spot’ to sit down and
hang together with friends.
Therefore, a lot of my memo-
ries with my friends happened
there, and that is why it is so
unique.
”
Ron Harel
RON HAREL
Hometown:
Tzippori
School Majors:
Chemistry and
Theater
Interests: Foreign
languages, crafts,
sports and cooking
What is one thing most people
don’t know about you?
“I am very interested in learn-
ing and exploring new lan-
guages. Before COVID times,
I did it through traveling. I
fell in love with Spain around
a year and a half ago when I
first traveled there and decided
to learn the language and the
culture from A to Z, which
I’ve done every day since then
surrounding myself with the
language 24/7. Plus, in paral-
lel, I began to delve into more
languages, places and cultures,
and the great majority of the
people around me, other than
my family and close friends
don’t know this side of me.
(Fun fact: I started the sortings
for the Shnat Sherut in Spanish
as well.)”
20 | SEPTEMBER 23 • 2021
MYJEWISHDETROIT.ORG
JOHN HARDWICK/FEDERATION
Noa Levi,
Itay Schwartz,
Ron Harel,
Amit Bellin
They’re here! Meet Detroit’s 2021-22 shinshinim.
From Israel with Love