Welcoming back ShinShinim! 

After a two- and half-year hiatus, we are thrilled to welcome back the Shinshinim program to our community. The Shinshinim program offered through the Jewish Agency recruits and trains Israeli high school graduates to spend a year in the Diaspora during a gap year before their military service. The word shinshin comes from the Hebrew phrase shnat sherut – a year of volunteering.  

During their year here, the visiting teens volunteer as emissaries, educating local students at the day schools, Hebrew schools, summer camps, the JCC and in the regional communities, about Israel and Israeli culture. It also provides the shinshin with an immersive experience of the Jewish community in the diaspora.  

Meet our shinshinim 

This year we are welcoming two shinshinim to our community, Naama Rickel and Shelley Inbar. 

Naama Rickel is from Kefar Blum, a kibbutz located in our partnership region. Her high school majors are biology, theatre and Bible studies. In her spare time, she loves everything theatre, not just acting but also production, costuming and directing. Naama also helps out with kid's activities on the Kibbutz and has been a counselor with HaShomer Hatzair.  

Shelley Inbar is from Hod HaSharon.  Her high school majors are Chemistry and Biology, and has been a part of the Nahson program, a weekly leadership program at her school. In her spare time, Naama likes to read and go to the beach. She has been involved with Scouts for eight years and has been a counselor with Scouts for the last three. 

Looking for host families 

The success of this program relies on finding host families for our shinshinim. We are looking for families to host for four-five months, that have kids at home, and live in Vancouver or Richmond with easy access to transit. Hosting a shinshin is wonderful chance to build a unique bridge with your family and Israel.  

Contact Lissa Weinberger, lweinberger@jewishvancouver.com for more details.