HOSTING OPPORTUNITIES

EXPERIENCES • COMMUNITY • CONNECTION

Providing housing to Israeli and overseas guests from our Partnership Region (the Western Galilee and Budapest, Hungary), can spark real connections that last a lifetime! It allows us to strengthen our Jewish identity with Israel, build Jewish community, and learn about experiences different from our own. By sharing our world, we create community amongst ourselves in Austin and with Jewish people everywhere.

SHINSHINIM 2024-2025

What is ShinShinim?

As a part of Shalom Austin’s Israel initiative, a Zeff family grant, and local donors, we will be continuing our ShinShinim program for the 2024-2025 school year!

Two ShinShinim, young emissaries from Israel through the Jewish Agency, will be coming to Austin before entering the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), and will be a part of the Austin Jewish community as shlichim (emissaries) to educate and engage while experiencing the world of diaspora Jewry here in Austin.

Interested in hosting? Contact Iris Bartov at iris.bartov@shalomaustin.org.

WHO WE NEED

We are looking for host families for our ShinShinim to provide:

A welcoming and supportive home for 4-5 months.
A private, designated, clean room that is not used for anything else.
Access to a bathroom that can be locked (a shared bathroom is fine).
Daily meals.
Include Shinshinim in family activities in town.

WHAT IS PROVIDED?

Each Shinshin is provided with their own transportation, cell phone, health insurance, and a stipend.

Hosting […] 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 of the hosts for a final send-off. It was great to meet so many people who opened their doors!”

– Kelly Finkel, host