Ori Herman
Hometown: Tel Adashim
Hobbies: Reading, Hiking and Baking
Why did you decide to come to Detroit?
I wanted to do this “Shnat Sherut” and volunteer in a Jewish community outside of Israel since I believe the connection between Israeli Jews and diaspora Jews is so important. I came to Detroit specifically since I live in the partnership region and I was lucky enough to be chosen for this program!
What do you love about Detroit?
I love the people! Everybody here is so warm and welcoming. I haven’t met one person that wasn’t excited to meet me and I’ve felt at home since my first day here. I also love the weather!
What do you miss about Israel?
I miss my friends and family and the sun
What has been a big surprise about living in Detroit?
How big everything is! The roads, the cars, the drinks, the fridges…
What is something exciting you have done in your community work?
I just came back from a trip to Chicago with Temple Shir Shalom! It was amazing. I’m originally from Chicago and I got to see a bunch of the places where I used to go as a kid, but it was also really amazing to go with the highschoolers in Temple Shir Shalom. I really felt that they bonded with one another and that I got to really talk and get to know each and every one of them. It was my first long bus road trip, which was really cool.
Describe a typical day in your life as a Shinshin:
In a typical day I go to Hillel day school from 8-3:30, after that I either have an event or some other activity such as Hebrew night school. In my free time I try to spend time with my host family and with the other shinshinim.
What is still on your Detroit bucket list?
Meeting more people and creating more amazing memories!
Shira Rafalovitz
Hometown: Kibbutz Hannaton
Hobbies: Music, reading and learning history
Why did you decide to come to Detroit?
It has been my dream to be a shinshinit ever since I was a little girl living in Chicago. I got to meet the different shinshinim and emissaries and was such a big fan of them. They made me feel so proud to be Israeli! That’s when I decided I wanted to be a shinshinit myself, in order to help other people feel connected to Israel.
What do you love about Detroit?
I love the community, ever since I’ve been here the community has been nothing but welcoming and friendly. I also loved the snow!
What do you miss about Israel?
The food, but especially Nadav dessert an amazing and delicious restaurant in the partnership region.
What is something exciting you have done in your community work?
I had a really great time indoor skydiving with Hillel of Metro Detroit.
Describe a typical day in your life as a Shinshin:
I get up, go to FJA and have a blast there. Then I’ll either go to one of the other shinshinim’s house, to Adat Shalom or to a community event. In the evening I’ll typically either go to the gym or practice my violin.
What is still on your Detroit bucket list?
I haven’t gone to Cedar Point yet and even though it’s not in Detroit, it’s definitely somewhere I want to go while I’m here.
Ofir Vitry
Hometown: Kfar Saba
Hobbies: Playing guitar, reading books, hiking, and playing basketball and pingpong.
What do you love about Detroit?
I love that everyone knows everyone. It’s a feeling of one big family!
What do you miss about Israel?
I miss the spirit, I miss my family and friends and of course I miss the great food.
What has been a big surprise about living in Detroit?
The sizes of everything, the snacks and the packaging are much bigger than I was used to.
What is something exciting you have done in your community work?
At Hillel I baked a special Yemenite food with my fifth grade class. It was amazing to share this recipe from my family with the students and they loved it.
Describe a typical day in your life as a Shinshin:
I wake up early, get dressed, put on Tefillin and get ready. I make food for the day (energy for a day as a Shinshin), talk to my host family and make my way to either Hillel Day School or Farber Hebrew Day School. At the schools I am working to bring Zionism, love of Israel, and unity of the Jewish people to the community. After work sometimes I go to Congregation Shaarey Zedek for religious school. After a long day of impact I try to keep good energies so I am going to work out at the gym. After that I go home, pray Mincha and Arvit, eat dinner, take a shower and go to sleep. That is a day as a Shinshin!
What is still on your Detroit bucket list?
Explore the car history of Detroit and maybe play hockey.