FedRadioDetroit welcomed Nina Yahalomi Klevitsky, JAFI’s shlicha (emissary) assigned to the Detroit Jewish community, into the socially distant studio this month for a farewell and reflection on her time here in Detroit. Nina arrived three years ago with her husband and two little girls. She leaves with one new family member (a son), countless connections and priceless memories. “I came here more Israeli, and I’m leaving here more Jewish,” Nina said.
The job of a JAFI (Jewish Agency for Israel) shlicha is to “build bridges,” Nina explained to FedRadioDetroit hosts Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss. “You can’t love a country, it’s too big. You love people. And the relationships you build between people builds the love for the country.”
During her time here, Nina has provided education programs about Israel throughout the community, spent summers at Tamarack helping to oversee the Israeli Camper Program and facilitated conversations and experiences that have allowed Detroiters to feel closer to Israel. Nina and family will head back to Israel at the end of July. When asked, Nina said there is no doubt that what she will miss most about her time in Detroit is the people. “We were so lucky to have a second family in our home away from home.”
FedRadio Detroit is Federation’s podcast series hosted by Sam Dubin and Beverly Liss and featuring big personalities from Jewish Detroit’s diverse cast of characters. Explore previous episodes and stay tuned for a new episode next month here.
