Message From The Rabbi

If you haven’t had the pleasure of interacting with the Shinshinim or Shlichim who come to Atlanta, let me tell you a little bit about them. 

Shinshinim are recent Israeli high school graduates taking a gap year before their military service begins. They have chosen to serve the Jewish communities in America before serving their country back home. Those who come to Atlanta work all over the city with synagogues, schools, and other institutions of Jewish life. Not only do they teach our communities about Israel, but we teach them about being a Jew in the Diaspora.  

Ask any of our older Diamond Family Religious School students. Many will be able to tell you the names of our former Shinshinim: Omer, (‘18–’19), Nicole (‘19–’20), Amit (‘20–’21) Nave (‘21–’22), Naama (‘22–’23), and Naama (‘23–’24). 

While Covid interrupted our ability to build relationships with Nicole and Amit, Rabbi Max and I have continued to be in touch with Omer, Nave, and the two Naama - or as we like to say, Naamot (a play on the Hebrew feminine plural ending).  

But Atlanta is blessed to have even more Israelis serving our community. 

Jewish day camps and overnight camps welcome Shlichim to their communities. Shlichim are young, post-army Israelis who come to build bonds in the camp setting.  

When the Shinshinim and Shlichim come to Atlanta they stay with host families. Currently, our family is hosting one of the MJCCA Day camp’s Shlichim, Yoav. He has quickly become another member of our family. Yoav comes with incredibly powerful stories (he was part of the military response on October 7th), he brings the familiarity of the Israel we love right into our home, and he was a professional soccer player in Israel - so we’ve been watching a LOT of soccer (which we love).  

If you’ve ever considered stepping up to host, we have zero regrets. While the opportunity to host one of the Shilchim is over, you can learn more about hosting someone from the Shinshinim program. Click HERE to learn more.

Finally, don’t forget to join us this Thursday as our first Shinshin, Omer Noy, returns to Temple Emanu-El to speak to us about his time on the edge of Gaza post-October 7th. 

Register HERE.

Shavua Tov, 


Rabbi Rachael