Sunday, July 13, 2008

Ashkelon's First Shinshinim to Baltimore

Tal Bouhnik and Liron Menashe, our first "shinshinim"!
In August, our two shinshinim, Liron Menashe & Tal Bouhnik, will leave their homes and families in Ashkelon and head off to spend a whole year in Baltimore.
What is a "shinshin" ? 'Shin Shin' stands for "Shnat Sherut" or 'year of service'. A Shinshin is also called a 'young emissary' or 'young ambassador'. Shinshinim are high school graduates who defer their military service for one year in order to spend that year living and working in the community - doing volunteer work in schools, old-aged homes, kindergartens, community centers, after-school and/or similar programs - usually in Israel (sometimes through youth groups), but also in partnership communities overseas.
They have been specially chosen, and are experienced counselors who have undergone a special JAFI (Jewish Agency for Israel) course and they will use their experience and special skills to make their mark and contribute to the Baltimore Jewish Community. Nicole
(From left), myself, Tal Bouhnik, Liron Menashe, and Maia Hoffman.

1 comment:

Debbie R. said...

Tal & Liron have been a wonderful addition to Congregation Beit Tikvah's Kesher School! The children love working with them, and we have learned so much about Israel and Ashkelon from them. Thank you for blessing our community with your enthusiasm and knowledge. We hope to see more shinshinim from Ashkelon in the years to come. B'shalom, Congregation Beit Tikvah, Baltimore, MD