Our Shinshinim predominantly come from our Partnership2Gether region in the Central Galilee. They are hand-picked in a highly selective process to represent the very best of Israel and its diversity.
We are looking for host families to help welcome them to our community. Families provide a spare bedroom, meals, and a welcoming and inclusive home. In return, they form incredible relationships that will endure for a lifetime.
Each Shinshin lives with a Detroit host family for six months at a time, making a switch at mid-year to a second family.
If you’re interested in being a host family, please review and consider the General Host Family Guidelines and sample Discussion Questions below, then complete the application form here.
Throughout the application, there will be questions related to Jewish home observances, language, pets, allergies, etc. Know that there are no “right” or “wrong” answers. We are looking for ALL types of homes.
Once your form is submitted, we will call to meet and further discuss the program and the role of the host family.
If you have any questions please contact Rachel Ruskin at 248-205-2534 or ruskin@jewishdetroit.org.
General Host Family Guidelines
- The Shinshinim will be placed in warm, loving, Jewish homes of all types.
- Family members should have time to dedicate for spending with the Shinshin. Regular family meals and activities are very important.
- Consider your family’s schedule and when you are available to include the Shinshin as part of your family. The Shinshin will be VERY busy and involved in the community but the host family experience is also a VERY important component of the program’s mission.
The Shinshin will have a day off every week to spend with the family and will generally be home/available during the evenings at dinner time. - The Shinshin MUST have a dedicated bedroom that is not used for other family needs (the family computer, the family TV, tutoring, etc.) During their stay, it’s preferred that the bedroom be a guest room or other unoccupied space so that he or she is not displacing a member of the family. Additional private space, such as a bathroom or living area is a plus, but not required.
- The Shinshin will have their own car and all expenses other than room and board will be covered by the program.
- Please note: In order to ensure the best placements for all involved, we cannot guarantee which Shinshin you will host.
Discussion Questions
The following are more detailed questions we might ask during a personal meeting with prospective host families.
- Briefly describe your parenting style.
- Have all members of the family been included in the decision to host a ShinShinim?
- Where would the Shinshin be sleeping in your home? What additional space would there be for him/her to use (e.g. bathroom, den, etc.)?
- Have there been, or do you anticipate, any major life events in your family within the next year (moving, house renovations, birth, divorce, bar/bat miztvah, job changes, etc.)?
- Have you ever had someone not part of your family living with you in your home for an extended period of time? If so, what kind of experience was it?
- In your family, is there usually an adult home in the evenings?
- What concerns do you have about the idea of hosting an Israeli emissary?
- Are there fixed times during the week that it would be important for the Shinshin to be present with your family?
