Shinshinim are high-school graduates who choose to defer their military service for a year of service abroad. The Shinshinim bring their energy, love of Israel and unique perspectives to our synagogues, schools and Jewish Community Center through educational lessons, presentations, arts and crafts, music and personal connections with community members of all ages. 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.
Maayan
Hello, I’m Maayan, a Shinshinim serving this wonderful community in Detroit. I was born in Connecticut, but at the age of six, my family spiced things up and made Aliyah to Israel and moved to a small town called Givat Ella.
You could say I’m a naturally calm person, but “naturally” might be giving me too much credit. It is more like a defense mechanism, a quiet superpower I developed while being stuck with two human-shaped noise machines—my brothers.
While the old saying goes, ‘a jack of all trades is a master of none,’ well, in some way that saying is me. Curiosity has been a big factor in my life and is most likely the reason for my different hobbies. From photography and sports to books, movies, music and many more.
I’m here because I have some questions of my own to explore, and I’m ready to share and serve the Jewish community that I love so dearly. I’m excited to get to know you all, and I promise to bring my calm and curious self along for the year.
Leayah
Hey my name is Leayah, I’m 18 years old and I live in Afula, which is in the north of Israel.
I’m the youngest in my family, and I have two incredible older sisters. Noyah who is 24 who lives in Ramat Gan and works as a nurse, and Shirayah who is 19 and now traveling the world.
My mom’s name is Moran and she works with a high tech company in Israel.
In my two weeks here I already fell in love with America and all the fast food it has to offer, although I love cooking and baking (and I’m pretty good at it). Another hobby of mine is art because I find it very fun and relaxing.
I grew up in the partnership region and was a part of the leadership program from 9th to 12th grade. I even got to go to Tamarack Camps as a TLV and I had an amazing experience. On the way home from camp I already started thinking of a way to come back to Michigan and I decided the perfect way to do it is to come here for my gap year and give back to the community that gave me so much throughout my years in the partnership. Now that I’m here I’m so excited to share my passions with the community and have a meaningful year.
Or
My name is Or, I’m eighteen years old from Kibbutz Ein Dor which is in the Jezreel valley. Originally I was born in the center of Israel and moved to the Kibbutz when I was 7. This year I’m living at Lainie and Josh Sack’s.
I have three younger siblings at home, a sixteen-year-old sister, a twelve-year-old sister and a seven-year-old brother. I also have one dog and one cat.
Because I live in the Jezreel valley, I got to be part of a leadership program that sent me to Tamarack camps when I was 16. I did a teen mission (three weeks traveling in Israel with American teens from Detroit) and then I did three weeks at camp as a TLV (Teen Leadership Village, I was a counselor). That summer my life changed, I learned so many things about myself, fell in love with the community and realized how much I love to explain about my country and share my experiences. On the flight back home, I knew I had to come back and do something even bigger. I applied to the Shinshinim program more than a year ago and now I’m here, willing to give back to the community, to bring Israeli spirit into everywhere I’m going and mostly to be significant and contributing.
I wish everyone a wonderful year full with good memories and positivity.
Oded
Hi there! My name is Oded and I am a part of this year’s Shinshinim.
I am 18 years old, born and raised in a small town called Givat Elah, Jezreel Valley.
I live with my parents, who are both working in high tech, my two brothers and my two cats.
My older brother has just finished his military service, and my younger brother just started the ninth grade.
In school, I majored in robotics and physics, and since I really enjoyed these classes, I joined the local robotics team in which I served as team captain for two years.
Other than robotics, I played Under Water Hockey (Yep, it’s a real thing!) and ultimate frisbee.
For our chaggim (holidays) at home, we would usually make a big dinner and invite all of our family over.
I’m really looking forward to meeting people in the community and having meaningful and interesting conversations with them.
Ido
Hi! My name is Ido and I am 18 years old from Kibbutz Yifat in Israel.
I have three sisters , two older sisters and one younger sister!
My oldest sister Noa was a Shinshinit here four years ago and worked at Hillel Day School.
I majored in three different subjects in high school: Theater, Music and Radio!
I play the guitar and I sing.
Two years ago I went on teen mission to Israel and then went on to become a TLV at Tamarack Camps.
I love doing sports and I used to be a rock climber.
I became a Shinshin to spark meaningful debates and have deep conversations while sharing my views on Israel, life and so much more!
I am very excited to be here and sure we are going to have a great year together!
Ido
Naveh
Hi! My name is Naveh, I live in Modi’in and now I’m the shinshin here in Detroit.
I’m working at Adat Shalom, Hillel day school, Farber Hebrew Day School and Young Israel of Southfield.
I really like doing any kind of sport such as Running, playing soccer and anything else.
Very excited to be here and celebrate the chaggim in a place different from home.
Can’t wait to see you all!!