Austin’s ShinShinim Eyal Yehonatan Butbul and Ariella Goldstein. Courtesy: Michal Ilali

As a part of Shalom Austin’s Israel initiative, a Zeff family grant and generous local donors, for the second year in a row, two ShinShinim are coming to Austin. ShinShinim are young emissaries from Israel who are sent here by The Jewish Agency.

In September 2024, 17-year-old Eyal Yehonatan Butbul of Jerusalem and 17-year-old Ariella Goldstein of Tel Aviv come to Austin before entering the Israel Defense Forces. While in Austin for one year, they will be a part of the Austin Jewish community as shlichim (emissaries) to educate and engage while experiencing the world of diaspora Jewry in Austin.

In anticipation of their arrival, The Jewish Outlook interviewed Butbul and Goldstein.

Eyal Yehonatan Butbul

1. Tell us a little about your family.
2. I have three little sisters, Inbar, Roni and Hila. We all live together with our amazing parents Eran and Limor. We also have a dog called Nala. We love going on family trips around the world.
3. What are your hobbies?
4. I love going off-road with my dad, where every trail and obstacle brings us closer and makes our adventures special. I really miss playing volleyball, which I stopped doing last year. The excitement of the game and the connection with my teammates are things I still think about, and I hope to get back to it soon.
5. Which topics do you enjoy studying?
6. My majors in high school are biology and computer science. I had a lot of fun studying those majors, I also enjoyed having a connection with my teachers.
7. Is there anything else you would like people to know about you?
8. I took part in the StandWithUs organization youth program, “TEVEL.” In this program I learned a lot about leadership and public diplomacy. This program made me who I am. I was in the scouts for 6 years, I had so much fun there.

Ariella Goldstein

1. Tell us a little about your family.
2. I live with my parents and our dog, a Samoyed named Lexi, in north Tel Aviv. I enjoy playing with Lexi and found that, much like my three older brothers, she is motivated by food and treats.
3. What are your hobbies?
4. I love walking my dog, playing tennis, and spending time with friends and family. I consider myself a typical Israeli teenager.
5. Which topics do you enjoy studying?
6. I studied at Meitarim, a pluralistic high school in Raanana that includes both secular and observant students. Our school encourages diversity and stresses the importance of inclusion and acceptance of all beliefs. The school philosophy views differences between students as an opportunity for us to learn together and from each other. Although my family is secular, I met and became friends with many kids from different religious backgrounds and learned to appreciate and respect practices and beliefs different from my own. I graduated this past June with a major in Jewish studies.
7. Is there anything else you would like people to know about you?
8. For the past five years I have been an active member of an Israeli youth movement called “Krembo Wings.” The Krembo youth movement focuses on creating meaningful opportunities for friendship, fun, and enjoyment for all kids, including many who may have special needs. Like my high school, the Krembo movement stresses inclusion and acceptance of kids of all abilities. It creates opportunities for us to interact, become friends, and learn from each other.

I also volunteer at Raksharim, an Israeli singing group that uses music to create connections between people with different abilities. In this Israeli music group, we meet weekly to create friendships and understanding through music and song.

As part of the year-long program, the ShinShinim are provided with their own transportation, cell phone, health insurance, and a stipend. Their host families provide a private, designated, clean room along with a bathroom in a safe and loving home. Additionally, host families provide daily meals and include the ShinShinim in their family’s activities.

“Hosting [ShinShinim] helped us build community. This past summer, we hosted one of the Israeli shlichot at the beginning of her time in Austin. We felt a need to say goodbye, so we hosted all the hosts for a final send-off. It was great to meet so many people who opened their doors!” said previous host Kelly Finkel.

Lecia Sud, a local community member instrumental for helping bring the ShinShinim program to Austin shared, “Going to Israel, at 16, ignited within me my own personal passion for Israel which has guided me my entire life. When I was introduced to the ShinShinim program it became important to me to help bring this amazing opportunity into our homes, our schools, our congregations. I knew this would be a powerful way for everyone to strengthen their own personal connection to the modern-day people of Israel and the value Israel gives to the world. It will be through these young emissaries that when we hear news about Israel, Israel will no longer be an abstract idea, we will think of our new friends!

“Having this bridge and connection to Israel is more important today than ever before. I truly believe because of this program, we will be prepared to stand up to what is happening in the world, to understand the value of Israel in our lives and in the lives of the entire world, to fight against evil and raise proud Jews.”

Shalom Austin Senior Israel Educator Michal Ilai added, “We would love to offer Austin families the opportunity to host these remarkable young ambassadors. In the world of Jewish peoplehood, the ShinShinim program is the most impactful vehicle connecting people to people. These young ambassadors bring with them the flavor of Israel to every space they visit. They share with our community what Israel is like from their own experience, as young people before their military service.

To learn more about the ShinShinim program, contact iris.bartov@shalomaustin.org.