Israel & Overseas

Around the World, Keeping Jewish Life Strong

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Current affairs, history, culture, amazing people, places and things. Discover the best of Israel, the Middle East, and our Michigan–Central Galilee partnership region with a Jewish Detroit flair.

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Doing a World of Good

Federation’s Israel & Overseas department is all about celebrating, advocating and building meaningful relationships with people in Israel and around the world. We’ve helped hundreds of Detroiters and Israelis forge lasting connections through immersive experiences and programming. When Israel and Jewish communities worldwide are threatened, we come immediately to their aid. Amid rising anti-Semitism, Jews around the world know they can rely on our unwavering support. Because no matter where we live, we’re all part of one global Jewish family.

Israeli Camper Program

Over 1,600 Israeli campers, 500 host families and countless memories. Since 2002, Federation, Tamarack Camps and Michigan’s Partnership2Gether region in Israel have joined together to bring Israeli youth to summer camp in our community.

The Israeli Camper Program is a cultural exchange with the purpose of building Jewish identity in both the Israelis and Americans. Creating personal connections that foster lasting friendships based on a shared Jewish experience.

Want to know more and get involved? Contact Olivia Berlin at oberlin@jewishdetroit.org or 248-203-1498.

Be a Host Family

Shinshinim (Young Israeli Emissary) Program

Shinshinim are high-school graduates who choose to defer their military service for a year of service abroad. These young Israeli ambassadors are carefully selected, recruited, trained, and sent to Jewish communities around the world to share their youthful and enthusiastic Israeli spirits.

The Shinshinim bring their energy, love of Israel and unique perspectives to our synagogues, religious schools, pre-schools and Jewish Community Center through educational lessons, presentations, arts and crafts, music and personal connections with community members of all ages.  They participate in special ‘chagim’ happenings, adult programming, weekend retreats and Shabbatonim, youth group conventions, summer camps, and other events.

One of the main objectives of bringing Shinshinim to our community is to encourage Israeli engagement that ultimately builds a bridge between Michigan and Israel.

Meet this year’s Shinshinim and apply to be a host family

Held Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at Newlab in Detroit. Twelve years ago, NEXTGen Detroit laid a foundation as the hub of a young, vibrant Jewish Detroit. And year after year, we have built upon that foundation, expanding our reach and revolutionizing what young adult engagement and philanthropy looks like not only here in Detroit, but across North America. As we begin our 13th year, we invite you to join us as we celebrate our past, but more importantly, look to our future and recognize the young leaders who continue to further our impact and construct the next chapter of bold leadership, inspired giving and diverse experiences.

Shaliach Community Emissary

Each year the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) sends over 1,000 Israeli emissaries (schlichim) to live and work in communities like ours, to assist in the strengthening of local Jewish identity and our connection to Israel. They provide a living bridge to Israel by promoting Israeli experiences, facilitating Jewish social activism and speaking authentically about faith and culture.

Federation’s Israel & Overseas department is proud to work with JAFI to bring our current Shaliach, Lior Zisser-Yogev, to our community. We can’t wait for you to meet and work with her to help forge a more meaningful bond between Israel and Jewish Detroit.

For more information, please contact Dona Stillman at stillman@jewishdetroit.org or 248-833-2527.

Teen Mission Experience

Awe-inspiring. Life-changing. Breathtaking. Visiting the land of Israel is unlike anywhere else in the world. Here’s how Federation helps young Jewish Detroiters experience the country for themselves

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Get There! Israel Travel Grants

Ever thought about going to Israel? We have money to help you get there. The Jewish Federation of Detroit’s unique Get There! program provides funding to help defray the costs of trips to Israel to study or volunteer. Available for a wide variety of programs, Get There! Travel Grants help young Detroiters experience the journey of a lifetime and build a lasting foundation of Jewish identity.

More Info

Birthright Israel Onward

Detroit’s Birthright Israel Onward program gives you the chance to travel to Israel to explore your professional interests, experience Israel like a local, and make new friends while living in Tel Aviv, Israel’s 24-hour cultural and economic center.

This once in a lifetime opportunity helps you grow personally and professionally as you explore contemporary Israel, gain valuable international work experience and travel with fellow Detroiters your age.

Read More and Apply

Missions to Israel

Did you know that the Detroit Jewish community sends more people to Israel on missions than most communities in the country? Every year Federation helps over 1,000 people of all ages from Detroit experience our homeland.

Why go to Israel? Ask anyone who has been to Israel on a mission organized by the Detroit Federation. Most will tell you that their experience was eye-opening, inspiring — even life-changing.

Behind the scenes on every mission from Michigan, there’s a team of extraordinary professionals and community leaders, Israelis and Detroiters — working together to pull itineraries, logistics and memorable events seamlessly together.

Let us help you find the mission that’s right for you. Please contact Jennifer Levine, Director of Israel and Overseas Department, for more information at jlevine@jewishdetroit.org

Partnership2Gether

Since 1994, Federation has partnered with three Israeli municipalities in a region known as the Central Galilee. Partnership2Gether turns Israel from a homeland to a home away from home, and everyone is invited to participate.

Visit the Partnership2Gether page

Upcoming Events

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Meet our Staff

  • Jennifer Levine
  • Senior Director, Israel & Overseas
  • Email Jennifer
  • 248-203-1471
  • Dona Stillman
  • Associate Director, Israel & Overseas
  • Email Dona
  • 248-833-2527
  • Olivia Berlin
  • Senior Associate, Israel and Overseas
  • Email Olivia
  • (248) 203-1498
  • Naomi Miller
  • Director of Missions and Israel Representative
  • Email Naomi
  • 011-972-2-655-7577
  • Lior Zisser-Yogev
  • Senior Community Shaliach
  • Email Lior
Yoav Raban
  • Yoav Raban
  • Director of Grants & Outreach in Israel
  • Email Yoav
  • 011-972-4-605-5297
  • Bracha Katz
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Email Bracha
  • 248-203-1465