The ShinShinim at the Jewish Agency for Israel ShinShinim Conference earlier in November. Courtesy: Michal Ilai 

It may seem as if the Austin ShinShinim (young emissaries) arrived from Israel recently, but Ariella Goldstein and Eyal Butbul see themselves as part of the community already.  It has taken them only two months to feel at home.  

 Goldstein and Butbul are recent high school graduates from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, respectively, who applied to a rigorous Jewish Agency for Israel training program during their senior year. The program which prepares high schoolers to become young Israeli ambassadors provides practical experience to help navigate life in a Jewish community outside of Israel. Out of thousands of applicants, only 250 teens are chosen for this special role. Those who are accepted are matched with a diaspora Jewish community are sent there for a “year of service” (Shnat Sheirut in Hebrew). Shinshin is the Hebrew acronym used to describe the role.   

“In the two months that we have been here, I personally have worked with young children at IAC’s Keshet, students at Congregation Agudas Achim school, teens in high schools around town, university students from Texas Hillel, and students in some of Austin’s synagogue schools,” Goldstein explains. “I would have never been able to meet so many Jewish Austinites if it weren’t for this great program.”  

Smiling, Butbul adds, “For me, meeting older adults when we visit retirement communities is very special. They are curious about our role in the community and ask questions about the military service.” Both ShinShinim feel that this year provides them with the opportunity to deepen connections with Jewish Americans and to strengthen the mutual understanding between Israel and Jewish Butbul volunteers weekly with the Israeli Scouts (Tzofim), the Dell JCC’s Teen Connections, Temple Beth Shalom, and the Zeifman Family Early Childhood Program. Both ShinShinim visit IvriTime sessions – an Ulpan style total immersion class of Hebrew, where they contribute to the conversation and offer their language skills.   

Congregation Beth Israel, Chabad and Congregation Shir Ami are scheduled to begin meeting the ShinShinim regularly as well. In addition to synagogues and organizations, the two are here to get to know individuals and visit with families interested in hearing about Israel from the ShinShinim’s  perspective.   

Hosting ShinShinim is a great way to engage with these young emissaries. Butbul’s host mom, Dr. Julie Gorn, speaks warmly about Butbul joining her family.   

“From the moment Eyal arrived it’s as if he has always been part of our family. He is truly enriching our lives as a family and the lives of everyone in our community that he comes in contact with. Our twin boys have gained a triplet. We absolutely love having him with us!”  

Karine Gordon, Goldstein’s host mom talks about the benefits of hosting Israelis. Her family has hosted Shlichim (emissaries) a few years in a row. “Hosting Israelis is something we are committed to doing as a family. Ariella has been a gift to our children both in the way of strengthening their Hebrew skills and by way of exposing them to Israeli culture,” she said.  

Michal Ilai, Shalom Austin’s senior Israel educator who supervises the ShinShinim explains, “Short of spending time in Israel and meeting Israelis, this is the most effective way for Americans to get to know Israel authentically. Through the eyes of the ShinShinim.” She adds, “We learn everything from how it feels to be a teenager before beginning the military service in times of war, all the way to learning the most current Hebrew slang.”  

To learn more about the program, contact Michal.Ilai@ShalomAustin.org