In August, five incredible Shinshinim arrived in Detroit, bringing their energy, passion, and love for Israel to our community. Since their arrival, they’ve been very busy volunteering, participating in Shabbat and holiday gatherings, and exploring all the exciting attractions around town. We’re proud to introduce you to two of these all-stars.
Shahar
Hometown: Givat Elah, in the Partnership Region
Hobbies: CrossFit, Reading, and Swimming
Why did you decide to come to Detroit?
I wanted to contribute to my partnership region by strengthening the connection between our two communities.
What do you love about Detroit?
I love the people! They are very generous and kind to us. It makes me feel very special. I also think Detroit is a very quiet place, and I really like that.
What do you miss about Israel?
I miss my family, I miss the food, and I miss traveling in the fields in the valley I live in.
What has been a big surprise about living in Detroit?
The diversity of everything. People, fashion styles, and even milk in the grocery stores.
What is something exciting you have done in your community work?
I gave a speech at Temple Israel on Yom Kippur about the unity of the Israeli people after October 7th.
Describe a typical day in your life as a Shinshin.
I’m going to describe my Monday:
- Wake up at 8 AM, make coffee, pack breakfast and lunch
- Drive to ECC (Early Childhood Center) to do activities with the children
- Leave at 2:30 PM (going to physiotherapy due to my leg injury)
- Get back home at 4 PM, plan activities for the next week
- Head to a youth group at 6 PM and stay for a college course until 9 PM
- Come back home, make sure I have lunch for tomorrow, watch TV, and go to sleep.
What is still on your Detroit bucket list?
Snow!!!
Nisan
Hometown: Hod HaSharon
Hobbies: Snowboarding, Sports, and Drawing
Why did you decide to come to Detroit?
I didn’t, Detroit picked me and thank God they did.
What do you love about Detroit?
I love the people, everyone is so warm and welcoming.
What do you miss about Israel?
Outside of my family and friends, the food 100%! I miss the challah schnitzel sandwich place on my street.
What has been a big surprise about living in Detroit?
The youth culture — it’s very different than Israeli and specifically my high school experience. The biggest difference was the idea of college, as a teen in high school here all you think about all the time is going to college and what you’re gonna do after for your job, and I’m thinking about myself and my friends and we all have no idea what we wanna work at. We’re all thinking about the army.
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 high schoolers 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.
I wake up, turn off my alarm clock, go back to sleep, wake up again, now I’m stressed because I’m gonna be late. Go to school (I thought I was done with school, I guess not), spread the love of Israel all day, teach Hebrew, have fun, go home, go to the gym, pet the dog, go to sleep.
What is still on your Detroit bucket list?
Going snowboarding.
Shahar and Nisan’s passion for connecting with the community and embracing new experiences make them an invaluable part of the team. Stay tuned for more stories from our wonderful Shinshinim as they continue to make a meaningful impact in Detroit!