ShinShinim Young Ambassadors Program

The Shinshinim are high school graduates who were selected to participate in a Year of Service Program that offers Israeli teens an opportunity to share their youthful and enthusiastic Zionist spirits with the diaspora communities. This Jewish Agency for Israel program in partnership with the Jewish Federation of San Diego County allows our community to meet young Israeli ambassadors, and connect with them in a meaningful way through a shared sense of collective responsibility, global Jewish discourse, and collective Jewish consciousness. The ShinShinim share their love and knowledge of Israel through various organizations in our community, synagogues, schools, and senior centers. They make Israel accessible, and help Jews develop a strong, meaningful attachment to Israel through tangible engagement, which cultivates Israel-Diaspora connections. Together with our community, this is one of the important ways we are bringing Israeli culture, experiences, and connections to San Diego.

Meet our ShinShinim!

Gal Atia

Kavod Charter School
Beth El

Yinnon Becker

Beth Israel
Seacrest
House of Israel

Daniel Evenpaz

Kavod Charter School
Temple Emanu-El
Israeli American Council

Noam Kieselstein

Kavod Charter School
Ohr Shalom
Tzofim

Keren Mittler

San Diego Jewish Academy
Beth Am
Tzofim

Yarden Shahar

Hebrew Day
Beth El

Shay Tsuk

Kavod Charter School
Tiferet Israel
Israeli American Council

Adi Waksman

The Ken
Chabad Hebrew Academy
Temple Emanu-El
IAC Israeli American Council

Noya Zager

Kavod
House of Israel
Chabad of East Count

Ofri Ziv

JCC
Israeli American Council
Chabad of Rancho Santa Fe

WHAT IS REQUIRED OF A HOST FAMILY?

A private room in your home for the Shinshin to stay , food for daily meals, and a nurturing home environment for a 3-4 month time period. Each Shinshin is provided with an insured car, a cell phone, health insurance and a financial stipend through Federation and the Jewish Agency. 

Prospective Host Families Resources:

Learn more about hosting a ShinShin here. (pdf)

Host a ShinShin

"There is no better way to connect with Israel than person to person. Hosting a ShinShin was a transformative and enriching experience for my family."


Past host mom, Britney Ewing

For more information on this program please contact Miri Ketayi.