NOVEMBER 21 • 2024 | 9
J
N
T
he 2024-25 Detroit
Shinshinim arrived three
months ago, and Shahar, Ori,
Ofir, Shira and Nisan’s intentions
are clear: They want to leave a
lasting legacy here.
The individuals in the
Shinshinim (Young Israeli
Emissary) program are 18-year-old
high-school graduates who choose
to defer their military service for a
year of service abroad.
The ambassadors are carefully
selected and brought over by the
Jewish Federation’s Israel and
Overseas Department to share
their Israeli spirit, energy and
unique perspectives in their work
at Jewish day schools, synagogues,
religious schools and more through
educational lessons, presentations
and personal connections with
community members of all ages.
The Shinshinim also participate
in wide-ranging community events
on a weekly basis. Their presence in
the community is wide in breadth
in an effort to present Israel in as
many places as possible with as
many perspectives and personal
experiences as possible.
The Shinshinim cohort of five
marvelous young men and women
were selected out of more than
2,000 applicants.
“Our community is truly
indebted to the Jewish Agency
and our own Federation Israel and
Overseas leadership for bringing
such a marvelous group of special
and impressive young people to
work and uplift our community,”
says Gary Torgow, president of the
Jewish Federation of Detroit.
MEET THE SHINSHINIM
Shahar, from Givat Ella in the
Partnership region in
the Central Galilee,
is the eldest daughter
of three siblings. Her
father is a diver in the
IDF, and her mother
is director of an
association for bilingual
kindergartens that includes Arabs
and Jews from the region. She plans
to be a diver for the IDF just like
her father.
Ori is from moshav Tel Adashim
in the Partnership
region. Her father is
a freelancer, and her
mother works in the
Herzliya municipality.
She has an older sister
serving in the IDF as a
paratrooper instructor
and a younger sister in the eighth
grade.
She was a counselor in her youth
movement Hatnua Hadasha for
three years where she worked with
kids of all ages. It was there that
Ori says she found her calling. “I’m
passionate about teaching,” she
says. “I hope to be able to do that in
the army as well. That’s kind of why
I came here.”
Ofir is from Kfar Saba. His oldest
brother has served as a
major in the army for
10 years and another
brother is a teacher, is
married and a proud
father, making Ofir an
uncle.
His sister, who
recently got married, is studying
speech therapy. Ofir has always
loved playing basketball and guitar.
This is his first time outside of
Israel.
Shira lives in
Kibbutz Hanaton
in the Partnership
region. Her brother is
currently serving in
the IDF and studying
at Hebrew University
and her sister is in 10th
grade. In Israel, Shira was a concert
violinist and was very serious about
it. She was a part of the Israeli
Youth Philharmonic Orchestra
and a participant of the Jerusalem
Music Center programs for gifted
musicians.
“I decided to come here and kind
of stop what I was doing because
I see the importance in what we’re
doing here that much,” says Shira,
who still plays the instrument
occasionally.
Nisan was born in Chicago and
spent his early years in
Austin, Texas, before
moving to Israel at
8 years old, where
he now lives in Hod
Hasharon. His journey
has been shaped by his
“incredible” parents and
two brothers, one older and one
younger, as well as his involvement
in the youth movement Hanoar
HaOved VeHalomed. Nisan is an
adventurous person and a big fan of
extreme sports.
A SECOND HOME
The Shinshinim arrived in August,
and they’ve been feeling the Detroit
Jewish community experience every
day since.
They’re invited to dinner at a
different family’s home every week.
“It’s been incredible. I’ve been
telling people I can’t believe this
is an actual program we get to
take part in,” Shira says. “Meeting
so many people from so many
continued on page 10
Ori
Shira
Shahar
Ofir
Nisan
JOHN HARDWICK
LEFT: The Shinshinim at the
Oct. 7 commemoration event at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
BELOW: Community members have
been showing the Shinshinim a good
time. Here they are at U-M.
FACING PAGE: The Shinshinim
at the Friends of the IDF dinner.