12 | NOVEMBER 21 • 2024 

OUR COMMUNITY
COVER STORY

because of the constant political 
ads. 
“It was getting annoying,” he says 
with a smile. 

WISE BEYOND THEIR YEARS 
The Shinshinim are living in the 
U.S. at a time of increased anti-
Israel and antisemitic sentiment in 
the country. They, of course, spend 
time doing work in the community 
to spread the word about Israel and 
Judaism, but they also have specific 
thoughts about the best ways to 
combat that sentiment. 
To Shira, sharing your experiences 
with people is the best way.
To Ori, “starting them young” and 
teaching the younger generations is 
vital. 
To Nisan, it’s simply important to 
talk with people. 
“If somebody doesn’t agree with 
you, you’re not just gonna ignore 
them. You talk with them; you see 
why they don’t agree with you. 
Maybe they think something that’s 
actually not true. Maybe their head’s 
not in the right place. 
“If we just ignore it, nothing is 
going to change,” Nisan says. “You 
need to talk with people and talk 

with people you don’t agree with. 
Not just stay in your bubble. Maybe 
you’ll learn something, too.” 

JUST THE BEGINNING
The Shinshinim stay in Detroit for 
one full year, until August 2025. 
This year’s group is looking forward 
to making the most of the rest of 
their stay.
Shahar and Shira are looking for-
ward to building deeper connections 
with their students and the entire 
community at large, and hopefully 
to form bonds that last a lifetime. 
Alon Lachman, a former Detroit 

Shinshin, returned to the commu-
nity for the Oct. 7 commemoration 
event partly because he built such 
strong relationships during the year 
he spent in Detroit in 2019. 
“And he’s not the only one,” 
Shahar says. “That shows how 
successful this program is; they’re 
building those strong connections 
and relationships. I can’t wait to 
have that, too.”
Other than building strong con-
nections and spreading the gospel 
about Israel, the Shinshinim want to 
explore more of Michigan and the 
country as a whole. And Nisan and 

Ori both want to go skiing. 
“I’ve seen snow only once or twice 
in my life,” Nisan says. “So, I really 
hope to do that.”
Fain sees the program’s incredible 
impact firsthand, and how it 
positively affects not only the 
Israeli teens, but the Detroit Jewish 
community at large. 
“They just bring so much 
excitement, knowledge and 
inspiration, and as they all said, the 
personal connections they build 
are long-lasting and impactful, 
especially with their host families,” 
Fain says. 
“It’s really a gift to have them 
in this community, and for me 
personally, to get to work closely 
with them, learn more about them, 
their lives and their families, and to 
see them develop throughout the 
year as leaders in this community.” 
The Shinshinim encourage the 
community to say hello. 
“We’re always open to having 
new conversations and meeting new 
people,” Shira says. “So, if you’re 
reading this article and then you see 
us in the community, come up to 
us. We’d be more than happy to talk 
with you.” 

The Shinshinim under the sukkah 
with Matthew Gorman and Julia 
Bleznak. BELOW: The five Shinshinim 
with Dona Stillman of Federation’s 
Israel & Overseas Department 
and Community Shaliach Lior 
Zisser-Yogev.

continued from page 11

