Shinshinim supervisors from communities supported by the Zeff Family Foundation gather each year with Diana Zeff, along with staff from the Jewish Agency for Israel and The Adelson Shlichut Institute.
For the second time, I had the privilege of serving on the planning committee for this meaningful conference. Working alongside a group of dedicated, talented ShinShinim supervisors, whom I proudly call friends, we designed a program that would educate, inspire, and empower our colleagues.
Over a few days, we facilitated workshops, explored the program’s impact with Diana and Ron Zeff, engaged with thought leaders such as Rabbi David Ingber and Rabba Sara Hurwitz, toured the iconic 92Y, and shared some incredible Israeli meals.
I shared the success story of Tidewater’s ShinShinim program and expressed my deep gratitude to the dedicated staff at Jewish Agency for Israel, whose tireless work makes this program possible. Thanks to the unwavering support of our community, Tidewater is viewed as a model for this program.
I left the conference energized and eager to bring new ideas home to our program. As we approach our fourth year of hosting ShinShinim, I remain grateful for the warm embrace of our community, the extraordinary Shinshinim past and present, the host families who open their homes and hearts, the generous funders who help us plan boldly for the future, every community member who makes Tidewater feel like home to our emissaries, and for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, which gives me the privilege of leading this work and staying connected to my beloved homeland.
As the program continues to grow in Tidewater, there are several ways to get involved: connect a school, organization, or community group that might benefit from a visit by these Israeli emissaries, become a host family, or explore other ways to engage, by visiting JewishVA.org/Shinshinim or contact Nofar Trem, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Israel Engagement manager, at NTrem@UJFT.org.
Leading, learning, and looking ahead
