Shinshinim are Coming to San Diego

The Jewish Federation of San Diego County is pleased to announce the launch of the Shinshinim program in San Diego.  A “shinshin” is an 18-year-old Israeli emissary who defers army service for one year to volunteer in Jewish communities around the world, with the goal of educating people of all ages about Israel and Israeli culture. This August, San Diego will proudly welcome Amit Katz and Michal Sharon to our community.

The Shinshinim (shanat sherut, year-of-service) program offers a unique opportunity to provide Israel education enrichment and to deepen personal connections to Israel. Amit and Michal are seniors in Israeli high schools who were selected to participate as young emissaries to San Diego as a gap year project, prior to serving the IDF.

Amit and Michal will live with host families and become an integral part of the community in which they live. The people around them will learn about the life of a young Israeli in the most comprehensive manner, and they will get to know our San Diego community from the inside out. Through this experience, they will learn more about the dilemmas that lie at the core of the lives of Diaspora Jews, and the connection will continue for many years to come, long after their trip has ended.

Connecting the next generation of Jews in San Diego to Israel is crucial to ensuring a strong and bright future for the State of Israel and world Jewry. Bringing Israeli students to San Diego for a year allows the community to benefit from Israeli culture, and build personal relationships that will cement the bond between young Jews in San Diego and Israel.

Federation is excited to offer our community this incredible opportunity, and we cannot wait for you to meet Amit and Michal. Please take a moment to get to know them by CLICKING HERE.

For more information contact Jane Fantel, Director, Israel Connections

 

 

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