By Carmel and Ori, ShinShinim
Carmel and Ori came to Ann Arbor to strengthen the connections between the greater Ann Arbor Jewish community and Israel through informal education – interactive lessons that include music, culture, Israeli childhood games, food, and more.
Carmel and Ori met up with local high schoolers at Blank Slate Creamery just days after arriving in Ann Arbor.
They arrived in Ann Arbor in August 2025 for a service year as Israeli emissaries between their high school graduation and military service through the ShinShinim program of the international Jewish Agency for Israel. They share here what they’ve been up to around town recently. To learn more about the program, contact Amichay Findling at the Jewish Federation at amichay@jewishannarbor.org.
It’s amazing to think that only a short time ago we arrived in Ann Arbor to begin our year as ShinShinim — young Israeli emissaries serving in the Jewish community. Since then, our days have been filled with excitement, learning, and a growing sense of connection to this warm and welcoming community.
Our first month coincided with the High Holidays, giving us a beautiful opportunity to celebrate Rosh Hashanah together with local families. We shared songs, stories, and reflections about new beginnings — both for the Jewish year and for our own journey here. Experiencing these holidays so far from home reminded us of the strength of Jewish unity and how tradition can bring people together no matter where they are.
As we began working with local Jewish children, we introduced students to Israeli geography and culture, helping them explore the many layers that make Israel unique — from its landscapes and languages to the people who shape it. In the Ann Arbor Public Library, we read Hebrew storybooks with children and families, creating moments of curiosity and connection that reached beyond the Jewish community and into the broader local population.
We also celebrated Sukkot with the community, building and decorating the sukkah, sharing food and songs, and feeling the joy of togetherness that the holiday represents.
Ori (L) at an Interfaith Leaders Lunch in the Sukkah at the JCC.
Of course, starting a new chapter in a new country brings excitement, curiosity, and a little nervousness. But each smile, question, and conversation reminds us that we are exactly where we are meant to be. We’re grateful for this community’s warmth and openness and are eager to keep bringing Israel to life here in Ann Arbor — through stories, culture, language, and friendship.