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16 | JANUARY 4 • 2024 J
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scared to lose their friends. For
me, hearing this was like, ‘Oh,
my God.’”
Hearing firsthand about
the antisemitism some Jewish
students experience at their
public schools and jobs has
been eye-opening for the
Shinshinim.
“To me, it was shocking
because as an Israeli I don’t feel
a lot of antisemitism — all of
my friends are Jewish, and I go
to a Jewish school. But here it’s
not the situation. It was such a
shock,” Erela said.
Every single time the
Shinshinim have been asked
to appear and speak around
the community, they’ve said
yes. The teens even built and
ran a conversation circle pro-
gram taking place at various
synagogues in the community
called Cafe Dilemma, where
they present dilemmas Israel is
facing right now and dilemmas
about the war.
“That’s how we show our
perspective,” Erela said. “
Also
making people talk to each
other about the situation
because, yes, it’s been months,
but it’s still going on. We’re
here to remind them it’s not
over and present that perspec-
tive from an Israeli.”
WELCOMED WITH
OPEN ARMS
The Shinshinim have received
an unbelievable amount of
support from the Detroit
Jewish community since
Oct. 7, from their worksites,
host families, Federation and
beyond.
Before this gap year, Itay
knew nothing about the
Detroit Jewish community.
But since Oct. 7, and even in
the month before, he says it’s
been an amazing place.
“We get so many invitations
for dinners and other things
just to support us and talk to
us, just because we’re Israelis,”
Itay said. “It makes us feel bet-
ter when we are here and not
at home.”
Immediately following Oct.
7, Shahaf and Itamar could
feel the love and support at
Hillel.
“You could feel the change
in the school atmosphere,”
Shahaf said. “Without even
saying anything, you could
feel everybody cared.”
Teachers will often stop them
in the hallways, asking how
they’re doing and asking about
their families, Itamar noted.
“
And people around the
community we’ve never even
met, everybody wants to hear
about the war, about what’s
going on and about our fami-
lies,” Shahaf said. “The fact it’s
months later and people still
do this shows they truly care.”
Ofri’s experience at FJA in
the days following Oct. 7 were
similar, feeling the support,
love and worth the students
gave her and Itay.
“
And it’s hard, because some-
times you have those voices,
like what if I was home now
with my family or friends in
the army. But then you think
to yourself, I won’t be any good
there. I know what I’m doing
here in this amazing role help-
ing the community understand
what’s going on in Israel,” Ofri
said. “Hearing an Israeli’s per-
spective opens minds and ways
of thinking. It’s important that
we’re here.”
LASTING COMMUNITY
CONNECTION
The Shinshinim have had
many impactful experiences
the past few months, encap-
sulating the strength of the
Detroit Jewish community and
the support they’ve received.
The Shinshinim led thou-
sands of community members
in the singing of “Hatikvah” at
the Oct. 9 solidarity event at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
At the same event, Erela
delivered heartbreaking testi-
mony from a friend who man-
aged to escape from the music
festival. Itay also delivered a
testimony from a friend.
Ofri sang the Shir Hama’alot
prayer at the event. Singing
that prayer on stage in front of
thousands of people, especially
so soon after the attack and in
a time of great mourning, was
incredibly meaningful for her.
“I’m so glad and honored
I had the opportunity to do
that,” Ofri said. “I think this is
the moment I realized I’m so
grateful and happy to be in this
community.”
All five teens traveled to
and took part in the March for
Israel in Washington, D.C., on
Nov. 14, where three planes
full of nearly 1,000 Detroiters
made their presence known.
“Seeing that many people
coming together on such short
OUR COMMUNITY
ON THE COVER
The Shinshinim
celebrate
Chanukah.