By Amichay Findling, Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor
This August, the Ann Arbor Jewish community welcomed its second cohort of Israeli gap-year volunteers dedicated to the local community – the “ShinShinim.” The name ShinShinim is an acronym for the Hebrew phrase “Shnat Sherut,” or year of service. This new set of elite Israeli volunteers arrived following a successful inaugural year of the program in Washtenaw County with former ShinShinim Danielle and Lahav, who have now returned to Israel for their military service.
Carmel and Ori, both 18 years old, have decided to dedicate a whole year of their life to community volunteering right as they graduate from high school, postponing their military service and academic studies for a year, to come serve here in Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor’s newest ShinShinim, Ori and Carmel.
ShinShinim are carefully chosen from thousands of applicants after a lengthy and thorough selection process which evaluates candidates’ personality traits, creativity, interpersonal skills, knowledge of Israeli culture, fluency in English, and much more. After a rigorous selection process, these young Israeli ambassadors/emissaries engage in a 9-month training program before being sent to Jewish communities around the world to share their youthful and enthusiastic Israeli spirits and serve as outstanding representatives of Israel.
ShinShinim bring their energy, love of Israel and unique perspectives to worldwide synagogues, religious schools, preschools and Jewish Community Centers. In addition to Jewish organizations, they often serve as informal educators in public schools and other venues in the community. ShinShinim provide an authentic Israeli perspective, sharing on a range of topics including Israeli culture, Jewish identity, Jewish celebrations, and life in Israel in general, through creative programs and challenging discussions. One of their main objectives is to promote lasting engagement between their host community and Israel by forging personal relationships with community members that ultimately build strong, meaningful ties for the future.
In Ann Arbor, Carmel and Ori will work with youth and teenagers in multiple local Jewish institutions, including Hebrew Day School, the JCC, and the religious school at Temple Beth Emeth. In addition, they will participate in and initiate a variety of community activities in the Ann Arbor area’s public sphere, bringing with them strong experience as youth movement counselors, as well as expansive artistic and intellectual interests.
Carmel comes to Ann Arbor from a Moshav in the Hefer Valley region of central Israel. She studied biology in high school and has been an educational entrepreneur from a young age. Carmel’s interest in early childhood education inspired her to tutor younger children and establish camps in her community. She has also danced professionally and loves sports.
“I would like to show a real, Israeli person and not just statistics and stories,” says Carmel about why she wanted to join the ShinShinim program. “I love Israeli nature, the Kinneret, the wide south, the birds. And of course, the diverse cultures in Israel that arise from the melting pot. If there is something I will be proud of and fill my heart, it is to represent our beautiful Israel.”
Carmel’s accomplice in all things for the coming year will be Ori, also hailing from central Israel, the city of Ramat HaSharon. Ori studied biotechnology and chemistry in high school and brings to Ann Arbor significant experience organizing thoughtful, meaningful events. He is an experienced counselor in Israel’s scouts and a member of his school’s and scouts’ events committees. In addition to being a competitive swimmer since age six, Ori is an active photographer and enjoys acting and music.
Ori shares the moment he realized he wanted to be an Israeli emissary. “On October 7th [2023], I was in London with my father. While talking to my British cousin and her friends, I realized that, even though they are Jewish, most of them didn’t know much about Israel or our culture. That’s when I started thinking about how I could contribute and help Israel after everything that has happened.”
Carmel and Ori’s time in Ann Arbor is made possible by the Jewish Agency for Israel, the generosity of the Zeff Family Foundation, and, most of all, the generosity and enthusiasm of many community volunteers, including those who will host the ShinShinim in their homes for the year.
For further information about engagement and volunteering opportunities with Carmel and Ori, contact Amichay Findling, the Jewish Federation’s Israel and Overseas Programs Manager, at amichay@jewishannarbor.org.
And most important, if you see Carmel and Ori around, make them feel at home; don’t be shy, say “Hi!”