Shinim are high school graduates who choose to defer their military enlistment and embark on a year of service. ShinShin is a Hebrew acronym for Shnat Sherut (year of service). They are carefully selected, recruited, trained, and deployed to Jewish communities around the world, bringing Israel to life through their youthful enthusiasm and dedication.

Amit and Yael have been in Orange County since August. Let's see what they've been up to...

Let's start with the basics. How old are you and where are you from in Israel?

Yael: Hi everyone! My name is Yael Montias and I’m one of the Shinshiniot this year at the J. I’m from a small city called Kfar Yona, about 6 miles east from Netanya. I will turn 19 on February 29th.  (It's a Leap Year Birthday!)

Amit: I’m from Irus, which is a small place in the center of Israel just a 25 minute drive from Tel Aviv. I will return 19 in January. 

Amit: Right now I’m working on an Israeli dessert class for ClubJ. 

 

Yael: At the moment I’m working on a new class for club J called Israeli Heroes. Make sure to sign up!  I’m super exited for the upcoming session and can’t wait to see all the kids after winter break. In addition, I’m working on activities for the preschool about the upcoming Jewish holiday – Tu Bishvat!  

 

Amit: we are living with host families. I’m staying in Newport with the Rosencrantz family.

 

Yael: As Amit mentioned, in the Shinshinim program everyone stays with host families from the Jewish community in their area. I’m living in Irvine with the Kessel family – Neil, Desiree and their two daughters, Lauren and Ava.  

 

Yael: I found surprising how beautiful are the beaches in this area!

Amit: that everything closes here by 9 pm😊 

Amit: I am learning about how Jewish and Israeli people living abroad work hard to live a Jewish lifestyle.

 

Yael: The greatest part of being a Shinshin is meeting new people and making new connections every single day! Also, the learning never stops. Being so far away from home and from everything that’s familiar to you, opens your eyes to the differences in our cultures, that I find beautiful! 

Yael: Wow, that’s a big question! There are a lot of things I would like Americans to know about Israel. One of the things is  not judge a book by its cover. Israel is such a small country, yet finds itself a lot in the news and the social medias. Due to so much exposure, many of the things are not always true. So, my biggest recommendation is to research and to ask Israelis! But also, don't forget that each Israeli has different perspectives. Believe it or not, sometimes even between our cities it feels like completely different places.

 

Amit: In Israel every Israeli citizen over the age of 18 is required to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), so when I return to Israel I will join the Israeli army and I will defend the Israeli borders. Being here at the Merage JCC, I postponed my service in one year in order to volunteer in the Jewish community. 

 

Yael: After my year here in Orange County as a part of the Shinshinim program from the Jewish Agency for Israel, I’m going back to Israel to start my service in the IDF. For my part, I will be in the Air Force as an Air traffic controller in a control tower in one of the Air Forces bases in Israel.