Before the Iron Swords War started, Yuval, 22, from Petah Tikva, wasn’t sure if he would be coming to the US for the summer. But following the horrors of October 7, he knew he wanted to be a Jewish Agency summer camp Shaliach (Israeli emissary) for the second time.
“At first October 7 made me worried to come back to the US since the city the camp is in isn’t necessarily the most supportive of Israel. But I chose to come back because frankly, I had a lot of fun last summer, and also I realized what a difference I made,” explained Yuval. “After October 7, some of my old campers reached out to ask if I was okay and it really made me understand how much of an effect I have on them, so I decided to be a camp counselor again.”
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.
Now, Yuval is serving as a counselor at an overnight camp in California for his second summer.
“The Shlichut (Israeli emissary service) program helps give Americans the opportunity to actually meet Israelis and bond with them,” Yuval said. “By making friends and building relationships with Americans at camp, I am giving them a real and personal connection to an Israeli and to Israel.”
Yuval was most looking forward to reuniting with his returning campers. Once camp is over, he plans to travel in the US for a month before going back to Israel. He then plans to engage in a longer-term Shlichut to continue making an impact.
“I love my job, the connections I’m making, and the fact that I’m helping to shape the next generation,” Yuval shared. “I hope to keep helping Israel through Shlichut as much and for as long as I can.”
