What happens when a group of young Israelis spends a year living, working, and growing inside the Detroit Jewish community? Something meaningful — for everyone. Below, this year’s Shinshinim and several of their host organizations reflect on the connections built, the moments that mattered, and the lasting impressions left on both sides of the Atlantic.
Rachel Ruskin
Senior Associate, Israel & Overseas
Another successful year of Shinshinim in Detroit!
I know firsthand that these relationships with our Shinshinim can last a lifetime. I was in high school when I first met Israelis who came to the States for a significant amount of time. We worked together, spent our days together, made lasting memories together and now, (many) years later, they are still some of my closest friends. They are the first ones who know when I’m coming to Israel, they are the ones I make plans with first, they are the ones who pick me up from the airport, host me for meals and the ones who feel like family.
All these years later, I am so incredibly fortunate to be in the role where I help make those connections. Through all the nostalgia, I am invested in the journey of each of our Shinshinim, current and future. I know that the schools and synagogues where they work aren’t just buildings. One of our Shinshinim this year described Hillel as a magical place that feels like a rainbow. I know that the host families can become true families. Where the hosting experience is reciprocated as soon as the Detroiters visit Israel. I know that the WhatsApp messages between the parents last long after the Shinshin comes home.
The Shinshinim experience is awesome, unique and varied. The backbone of that experience is always the people. The workplace supervisors, the students, the people they mingle with along the way and most certainly the host families. They get to be on this adventure with the Shinshinim in some ways. They can truly shape a Shinshin’s year. We are so grateful to these families.
We are always looking for dedicated family community members who would like to be a part of this experience by hosting a Shinshin. For more information, please reach out to me at ruskin@jewishdetroit.org.
Naveh
Shinshin 2025-2026
During this past year, I had the privilege of working at Farber, HDS, Adat Shalom, and YIS. Each of these places gave me unique experiences, meaningful relationships, and memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I learned so much about life, people, relationships, and what it truly means to build a genuine connection to Israel. One of the things that surprised me most was the incredible level of support for Israel within the Detroit Jewish community. Before arriving, I did not know much about the community, but throughout the year I witnessed a deep love for Israel, a strong sense of responsibility, and unwavering support that should never be taken for granted. It was truly inspiring to see the support system that Israel has here, especially during such a challenging time.
This year was incredibly meaningful, and it will stay with me forever. The bridges I built, the relationships I formed with families, students, and community members, and the feeling of becoming part of something larger than myself have all had a profound impact on me. One of the most meaningful parts of my experience was having the opportunity to speak about fallen soldiers, share their stories, and serve as a representative of Israel for an entire year. It was both a great honor and a tremendous responsibility. As I prepare for my military service, I am excited to carry forward everything I have learned, the conversations I have had, and the values I have worked to represent. I leave Detroit with immense gratitude and with memories, lessons, and connections that will remain with me for a lifetime.
Maayan
Shinshin 2025-2026
Looking back at this amazing year, all I can say is “wow.” This truly has been the best year of my life. One of the most surprising moments was our very first meeting with the community at the beginning of the year. I was amazed by the strong connections people had with one another and by the incredible warmth I received, even though I came from somewhere else.
Throughout the year, I learned how much a community can impact a person’s life and how meaningful it is to build genuine relationships. I especially enjoyed spending time at my main placement, Hillel Day School, where the students, staff, and families made me feel welcome from day one and helped create memories I will carry with me forever. To the next year’s Shinshinim: you have won the lottery with this community. You are coming to one of the most welcoming, caring, and supportive communities out there. My advice is simple: meet as many people as you can and take every opportunity that comes your way.
Ido
Shinshin 2025-2026
Putting my time here into words might be a bit hard, but I can definitely say that my year can be defined by cold weather and warm people. My year in the Metro Detroit community allowed me to develop as a person in ways I could not imagine, while pursuing work that has endless meaning and significance.
My favorite part was getting to perform at Frankel Jewish Academy’s town halls and ceremonies like the October 7th Memorial, as it allowed me to share my love for music while taking part in something much bigger than myself! This year has been one I will never forget, and for which I will forever be grateful!
Or
Shinshinit 2025-2026
This year taught me that even during difficult times, I can overcome challenges and handle things I never thought I could. One thing that really surprised me was seeing how Jewish people in Detroit choose to be Jewish every single day. In Israel, being Jewish is something many of us grow up with naturally, but here I saw how much intention, commitment, and love it takes to keep a strong Jewish identity and community.
One of the most meaningful moments for me was seeing so many people come to the Holocaust survivor event that I planned for the community. It reminded me how much people care and how powerful it is when a community comes together for an important cause. I also really enjoyed spending time with the children at my placements, creating fun activities, teaching them about Israel, and building relationships with them. During the year I worked at Temple Israel, the JCC, FJA, and the Federation, and each place taught me something different.
To the next Shinshinim, I would say: enjoy every moment and take every opportunity you get to experience the community and meet new people. Try to do everything you can to make this year meaningful and fulfilling. A year sounds like a long time, but when you’re in a place you truly enjoy, it goes by much faster than you expect.
Bosmat Dovas
Hebrew Dept. Chair & Shinshinim Program Supervisor, Frankel Jewish Academy
Over the past year, our incredible Shinshinim—Oded, Or, and Ido—have brought an unforgettable energy, spirit, and creativity to the FJA community. From Oded’s brilliant tech skills, multimedia projects, and ready-to-help smile, to Or’s stunning, professional graphic design and vibrant wall decorations, they have truly left a lasting mark on FJA. Ido kept us all smiling and brought our school ceremonies to life with his incredible dedication, humor, and musical talents, both singing and playing the guitar. Together, their unique personalities, deep friendships with our students, and unwavering dedication have profoundly enriched our school’s connection to Israel and filled our year with joy. Students love spending time with the Shinshinim during classes, lunch, hanging out in their room, and seeing them at school sporting events. The Shinshinim form lasting relationships with FJA students, who even visit them when they go to Israel!
Rabbanit Jenna Englender
Judaic Studies Teacher, Hillel Day School
Each year, Hillel welcomes a group of young Israelis in their shanat sherut, a post-high school, pre-army year of service. These young adults work tirelessly throughout the year, joining classrooms, running programming, and finding unique ways to bring the culture and spirit of Israel into school each day. This year we welcomed Leayah, Maayan, and Naveh. While every cohort leaves its mark on our community, these three quickly became an integral part of school life, building relationships with students and faculty that were genuine and lasting. I would frequently walk the halls in the morning and see children dashing past to greet them with hugs or eager questions about when they would next be visiting their classroom.
One of the goals of Israel education at Hillel is for students to feel deeply that they belong to Israel and that Israel belongs to them. The shinshinim program brings that vision to life. Each year, through their warmth, energy, and authenticity, the shinshinim give students a daily connection to Israeli culture, language, and life that can’t be found in the pages of a textbook.
This year, Leayah, Maayan, and Naveh hit the ground running, finding creative and meaningful ways to bring Israel into the life of our school. Whether helping students experience the atmosphere of Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron as they are observed in Israel, inviting them to engage with current events and Jewish values through collaborative art installations like Wings of Hope, or introducing them to the diversity of Israeli society through a month-long exploration of Israeli food, they consistently transformed abstract ideas into personal experiences. They connected Tanach learning to modern Israeli geography, created opportunities for students to practice conversational Hebrew over lunch, and, in countless small daily interactions, made Israeli culture feel accessible, relevant, and alive.
Most importantly, they made Israel feel personal. For that gift, and for the countless relationships they built along the way, we are deeply grateful. Although their year at Hillel has come to an end, the connections they fostered, the programs they created, and the love for Israel they inspired will continue to shape our students for years to come.
Gail Greenberg
Yachad Hebrew School
Israel and Hebrew were once concepts we taught at Yachad, the combined Religious School of Temple Emanu-El and Congregation Beth Shalom. Then we welcomed shinshinim onto our staff and into our community, and everything changed.
Israel was no longer just a place on a map—it was where Itamar made the best shakshuka and taught us how to make it ourselves. It was where Oded showed us how innovation and technology thrive, bringing Judaism and Israel to life through engaging STEM projects. It became a country where snow is a rarity except in a few special places, where you can drive from hiking in the desert to milking cows on a kibbutz in the north (which we did!). Hebrew was no longer just the language of the siddur; it was the language of everyday conversation and became integrated into our school language and culture. Kol hakavod!
Most importantly, Israel became the home of our newest family members—our shinshinim. Through them, Israel was no longer an abstract idea. It became personal, familiar, and deeply connected to our students’ and community member’s lives.
