After a long 20 hours of traveling from Israel and through the US, Evyatar, 21, from Nesher, a city next to Haifa, arrived in early June at the Jewish overnight camp in Georgia where he would spend the summer. Evyatar is serving as a Jewish Agency Summer Camp Shaliach (Israeli emissary), acting as a counselor for 15—16-year-old campers, the same age he was when he came to the US as a camper for a summer.
“I asked to be a counselor for the oldest unit of kids, those who are going into 10th grade, because I remember how meaningful that age was for me. For these kids, many of whom grew up coming here each summer, it’s their last year at camp, and so it’s exciting and heartwarming that I’ve been entrusted with this great responsibility. And I believe and hope I can make a meaningful impact for these campers,” reflected Evyatar. “This camp is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to, and this beauty is also healing.”
Each year, The Jewish Agency, in partnership with Jewish Federations across North America, recruits charismatic and energetic young Israelis to travel abroad as Summer Camp Shlichim (Israeli emissaries) in North America, where they work in Jewish summer camps as counselors, specialists and educators. They participate fully in camp life, sharing Jewish traditions, teaching Israeli and Jewish culture, building connections, and serving as role models for campers and staff. In 2024, ~1,500 Shlichim are working at over 100 camps across North America, playing an even more critical role in bringing Israel to life in the wake of Hamas’s October 7 attacks.
“The camp strongly supports Israel and has even provided us with an Israeli social worker who conducts workshops and therapy sessions. And us Shlichim are really bringing Israel to camp, which is great and important because this is how the campers’ views on Israel are being shaped,” Evyatar shared.
It was also while at camp that Evyatar learned of the IDF’s rescue on June 8 of four hostages who had been held captive in Gaza since October 7, when his sister called early in the morning from Israel, waking him up.
“I thought my sister had forgotten about the time difference and ignored her call, going back to sleep. But then when I woke up again a little later, my social feeds were flooded with posts featuring the freed hostages, and I quickly understood the happy news. I immediately called my sister back and cried with excitement,” remembered Evyatar. “In the dining hall, there were tears of joy, there was euphoria. People were hugging, cheering, and singing Am Yisrael Chai.”
Even before Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, Evyatar knew he wanted to be a Shaliach, having previously worked as a deputy spokesperson of The Jewish Agency in Israel. But the horrors of October 7 made him even more determined to be an emissary, and he carries with him the memory of Ayelet Arnin, z”l, his former commander at Galei Tzahal, the official radio station of the Israeli army, who was murdered at the Nova Music Festival; and his friend Netta Epstein, z”l, who was killed at his home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza when he jumped on a grenade to save his fiancee.
“Because of October 7, I knew that now more than ever it is important to bring Israel, and its story, to the Jews living abroad, and specifically to younger Jews, in a positive way. For us to be strong, we must stay united with our brothers and sisters overseas,” said Evyatar. “I am grateful to have this opportunity to come to camp and definitely want to return in the coming years.”
