2020-21 UK and EU Shlichim | The Jewish Agency2020-21 UK and EU Shlichim

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A Look Back at the Past Year

by our 2020-21 UK and Western Europe Delegation of Israeli Shlichim

THIS WAS THE LAST YEAR

Our Shlichim (Israeli emissaries) share their most meaningful memories from 2020-21. Sign up below for our newsletter to receive updates and join our work next year. And remember, it’s not goodbye, it’s l’hitra’ot!

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Noa Raz, 19, Binyamina

ShinShinit (Gap Year Shlichah) in London; volunteered at JCoSS as part of the Informal Jewish Education team, at Etz Chaim Primary School supporting Hebrew language education and delivering Israel education. Also supported activities of RSY Netzer and the Israel Engagement Hub in Mill Hill

Just a few weeks ago, Raz Perel, the Chairman of the Israeli Scouts, had a meeting here with older participants of the youth movement and the local leaders. I heard them talking about how significant and meaningful the Scouts movement is to them, and they mentioned how important the ShinShinim are – that we make Scouts feel like a home for them. This moment was such an eye opener, realizing how much impact we have here and how important our role is. I hope it will go on for many years and keep growing.

The Shlichut experience was a year-long lesson for me. I learned the value of community, how it ties us all together, especially in times of crisis like a pandemic. I learned a lot more about the Jewish world. I feel more connected than ever to Jewish religious and even ultra-Orthodox communities. And I learned to be even more grateful for the State of Israel.

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Noa
Noa

Dovi Wieder, 29, Bnei Brak

Campus Israel Fellow in London; worked for the Union of Jewish Students creating content about Israel and planning Israel-related activities

The most meaningful moment for me was lighting the Hannukiah in the middle of the Queen Mary University campus, with members of the local Jewish Society. It was a great experience to speak with Jewish students over the course of the year and talk about Israel. I learned that nothing can replace personal relationships.

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Dovi
Dovi

Sara Baruch, 28, Netanya

Community Shlichah in Manchester, England; worked at the UJIA and led its Israel Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program

The most meaningful moment for me was leading the ceremony on Yom Hazikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day). Although it was online, I was moved by the number of people who came to view it, and its importance to the community here.

What I love about my job is that it’s dynamic: I’m always meeting new people, and there is always something to innovate, offer and change.

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Sara
Sara

Shiri Fultheim, 21, Revava

Community Shlichah in Oslo, Norway; volunteered at the Jewish kindergarten and Sunday school, and led community activities

The most important lesson I learned this year was that different Jews express their Jewishness in different ways. There is no one way to be Jewish.

Shiri
Shiri

Nini Milner, 27, Alon Shvut

Youth Movement Shlichah for Bnei Akiva (northern region); managed the Manchester Bayit Community Center together with her husband, Matan

We learned a lot this year from the community about giving, Zionism and following our beliefs. The covid restrictions made the year very challenging, but thanks to online platforms, we expanded our reach to more communities. We held programs for Shabbat and Jewish holidays, gave Torah lessons and led a Bat Mitzvah program and leadership programs. During Operation Shomer Hachomot (Guardian of the Walls) we provided briefings with important information to the community.

Nini
Nini

Tal Grinstein, 19, Ramat Gan

Coordinator of the Israeli Scouts “Shevet Halutz” group, taught at the Akiva Primary School in London, the Shtilim program and the Garin Tzabar program

There were so many things that excited me this year! It was the simple things: seeing a child in the morning who is eager for your lesson or having a meeting about starting a new project. I learned many things this year about myself, my country, my family and Jewish culture. I learned what flexibility is all about and understand its importance in life much better.

Tal
Tal

Omer Shaprut, 18, Kiryat Ono

ShinShin in London; volunteered at JCoSS as a Hebrew, Judaism and Israel teacher, at Israeli Scouts as a community coordinator, at Garin Tzabar and at WZO’s Department of Organization and Israelis Abroad

I learned about the Jewish and Israeli communities outside of Israel, especially the ones in the UK. There is still a lot of work to do. I learned about the importance of education, meaning and values. And I learned a lot about myself – what I’m capable of, and what I’d like to do in the future. And that I have a part to play in strengthening the connection between the Jewish people, in Israel and the Diaspora, and keeping Israelis abroad and their families connected to Israel and Israeli culture.

Omer
Omer

Ofri Ben Tzvi, 34, Ein Habasor

Youth Movement Shaliach for Habonim Dror in the Netherlands

It was a great and meaningful year for me. I got to work with the amazing Jewish communities in the Netherlands, and to see how the youth movement participants developed professionally and socially.

Ofri
Ofri

Letter from Irit Barash

Executive Director, Head of Delegation to the UK and Western Europe To the 2020-21 Shlichim

Letter from Irit Barash

Executive Director, Head of Delegation to the UK and Western Europe To the 2020-21 Shlichim

The Jewish Agency for Israel and the UK Jewish community extend our sincere thanks to our dear Shlichim who are concluding their service this summer. In a year filled with immense challenges, you managed to create educational opportunities, and forge connections to Israel, for countless young people and families. Your passion and energy are infectious, and you have made a deep and lasting impact on us all.

We wish you much success and the smoothest of transitions as you return to Israel and continue on your path.

And to our incoming cohort of Shlichim: you have an exciting journey ahead of you! We are delighted that you were selected to serve in our communities, and we can’t wait to welcome you into our homes and our hearts.

 

Irit