D'Var Israel 18.10
Yali
I can’t believe that the last time we did our Dvar Israel, we wished and prayed for all the hostages to come back. And now there are no more living hostages in Gaza. Wow, finally,we can breathe a little.
But we must not forget that we still have fallen hostages and we still need to fight for them and we can’t stop until everyone is back. I didn’t believe that they were coming back until I saw it with my own eyes. As Tamar said, we stayed up till 5 AM to watch the news, the best news. The happiness and the relief was all that we asked for in the last two years, but at the same time. I felt fear and pain for those who haven't come back. I think that those mixed feelings became normal to me and to all of us. In times of happiness we were always a bit sad but we do know how to be happy and we do know that we need to be happy.
I wish that all the hostages will come back home and that rehabilitation and the day after we’ll finally come.
One of the hostages who was released a few days ago is Matan Angrest, and I want to tell you about him and about something that he did at this short time since he’s back.
Matan Angrest, got kidnapped on the 7th of October from his tank in Nahal Oz
We all started to breathe a little when Matan and all the 19 living hostages came back home a few days ago.
Matan went through so much in those two years and now he’s finally home.
Just two days after he came home, he went to his commander Daniel Perez's funeral.
There he said and I quote:
“I didn’t plan anything in advance, it’s hard for me to stand on my feet. I can’t believe I even made it here. This is the least I could do for Daniel and the whole team. I’m sure they’re watching over us from above. I’m ready to go into Gaza right now to bring back the fallen.
There’s no way to explain what happened there on October 7th. Daniel Peretz is a true hero. My legs are shaking as I speak, after two years in captivity.”
Not only that he came to the funeral just after two days of his release he spoke and he said that he is ready to go into Gaza right now to bring back the fallen hostages. Can you believe it? Just two days after he came back he wanted to go back there but this time to save people to bring back these we aren’t home yet. Where else in the world, you can find people like those, heroes like Matan.
Matan and all the released hostages are heroes and an inspiration to all of us.
Finally, we can be a little bit happy, but we have to remember that this is not over yet. We still have fallen hostages and we cannot forget them. We have to fight for them. At least we can breathe a little more.
We wish for all the hostages to come back and may we hear more good news.
Shabbat Shalom
Tamar
Shalom everyone! wow. I can't believe this. We can take a small breath. On the night between Sunday and Monday, all 20 living hostages returned to their families and friends. And after that, some of the fallen returned as well. We can take a small breath.
I admit, not being in Israel with my family and friends that day wasn't easy. But a few shinshinim and I met to watch the news and stayed up all night. We talked to our families and friends to feel more like we’re with them, with our country and our people.
My mom went to the hostages square that morning. She sent me some videos, photos and told me about the atmosphere there.
There were so many tears in the square. But for the first time in two years, the tears weren't only of sadness and anger - they were also, and mostly, tears of joy and happiness.
My mom told me that every time one of the name of the returns was mentioned, thousands of people were cheering. A special feeling that you can only feel in Israel now.
But with that feeling, there is a lot of confusion, anger and sadness. Truly a mix of emotions. Everyone is so happy from the return but also sad and angry that some are still there. We continue to pray for the return of all those still held in Gaza.
I want to tell you about one of those who returned - Guy Gilboa Dalal.
Guy Gilboa Dalal, was 22 when he went with 3 of his friends to the Nova Festival: Eviatar David, Ron Zarfati and Idan Haramati. When the terrible massacre began, they all split and tried to escape. Idan and Ron were murdered. May their memory be blessed. Guy and Eviatar were among the first whose kidnapping to Gaza was known.
Guy and Eviatar were held together in captivity until the last two months and reunited a few days ago.
Gal, Guy’s brother that survived the horrible massacre at Nir Oz, tells about a few things that happened since their return:
Eviatar and Guy sat together at the hospital and played their favorite song. Their hearts started beating again.
Guy ate a chocolate bite that it’s recipe got really famous over the last 2 years and got really excited. In the video from that moment you can see his facial expressions that show us how amazed he was, and how much he missed that taste. He could barely believe that something could be that tasty. It was as he tried it for the first time.
But the thing that Guy was most shocked about was technology. Gal said that they showed Guy a video that was made with AI and he was shocked.
Gal also said that one of the main things that helped Guy while he was held captive was thinking about his family and the fact that they’re waiting for him. He felt that he had to stay strong for them. He is truly a hero.
I didn’t know Guy personally but he went to same high school as I did. I heard about all the time over the last two years, his name and his stories. It’s so good to have you back.
May all the remaining fallen who are still held in Gaza brought home quickly to their families to be laid to rest properly.
Shabbat Shalom
D'Var Israel 7.10
Shalom everyone, Chag shemach.
Today mention two years since 7.10.23
Two years since that horrible day that changed all of our life. Two years of war, two years of pain.
During these two years, with all the pain and hard times people find a lot of courage and hope.
We want to tell you about someone special- Oz Davidan.
Oz Davidan was born on November 29, 1971. 53 years old and he is a hero.
Oz, live in Mosav Maslol right next to Ofakim.
He served as a police officer for 15 years.
Now he is working in negotiations within the Bedouin Development and Settlement Authority in the Negev.
His job prepared him for what was to come.
On the seventh of October, Oz's sister told him that there is something going on around their farm, right next to the Nova festival.
Oz didn’t think twice, he locked his wife and daughters in the house, took a 6 pack of water, his gun and his truck and drove to the area of the Nova festival.
Thanks to his farm he knows the area like the Palm of his hand, he knows how to take the wadis and not the main roads.he didn’t understand what was happening.
It took him some time to understand what’s really going on.
He succeeds in entering the festival area and to save some teens, he tells them that every time he finds some teens that need saving they ask him, who are you? And he said: “I’m Oz and I’m here to save you”
And that’s exactly what he did. He went back and forth 15 times and saved 120 teens, Nova survivors.
On the way he bumped into some terrorists he fought them with his own weapon and he didn’t give up he says that till this day he sees pictures from that fight in his mind.
He always said to himself that he has a mission And it is - to save.
Oz tells that after a few times of going back-and-forth the teens he saved give his phone number to their friends that were still in the nova area, that’s how Oz phone number gets sent around from one person to another. Everyone sent him a location and he started to make himself a plan.
Oz said that one of the times he thought that maybe the teens think he’s with Hamas because they had the same truck as him, so he decided to take the Israel flag and put it on the back of his car. In that time he saved 17 teens.
One of the girls he saved asked him: who are you?
And Oz answered by saying: I’m Oz, Mosavic and I came to rescue all of you.
She didn’t believe him, she thought that it was in the Mosad or the שב״כ.
They were there for hours and no one came to help them, he was the first.
Oz was one of many who put their lives in danger and put our Am before them, and saved and rescued so many people!
Oz said:
“A lot of people tell me I’m a hero, that I saved 120 people, I didn’t ask to be a hero. The real heroes are the one who fought for their lives, hide and run. I was just sent by god to help them come back home. There is sadness in me. For the people I didn’t save. For the people I didn’t come on time. And for all My friends from all forces”
Not all heroes are wearing capes.
We are wishing for all the hostages to come back home and maybe you are some good news.
Thank you so much and חג שמח
D'Var Israel 7.9
Yali
:רבוטקואב יעיבשה - 4.10.25 לארשי רבד
:רמת
Saturday morning, 6:29 am, the first siren. We all woke up and went downstairs to the building’s shelter. Half asleep. I don’t remember much from that morning. I remember going to the shelter and then waking up in my bed. It all felt like a weird dream.
As soon as I woke up again I asked my mom if something happened and if there was a siren earlier today. And then I realized. It wasn’t just a “regular” siren that we’re used to. It was the siren that changed everything.
It’s crazy to think that just a few hours before, I was hanging out with my friends. Having a blast and completely unprepared for what was about to happen.
More and more bad news. Numbers that kept growing. More horror stories and videos. And then the news reached me - there are hostages in Gaza. I can’t put into words the feelings that I felt. I wasn’t mentally able to watch the news. For two weeks I didn’t look at any social media. Two weeks that in each day I would ask my parents to update me with everything. I felt bed. On one hand I can’t and I don’t want to be exposed to all the photos and videos, but on the other hand, these are my people, my country, my friends. So that’s how I chose to be updated. Just with my ears but without my eyes.
I didn’t leave the house for these two weeks because of the fear of hearing another siren while not being close to a shelter or that something would happen in my city.
Slowly, we had to start living in a wartime routine. Waking up all the time because of the sirens, not going to school for a few weeks, having to choose carefully when to get into the shower with a hope that a siren won’t catch you in the middle. Everyone is always asking if you’re okay, more and more names and stories are being released and suddenly, it comes to those who are closest to you. You hear that a friend’s mom got kidnapped, a friend’s grandma is missing, a friend’s uncle was killed and you are forced to accept this terrible reality even if you don’t want to and don’t know how.
During that time, it was really amazing to see everyone’s help. People helped in so many different ways. One of the most amazing things I got to do was part of a class project. We were divided into small groups and each group made at least 100 meals for the soldiers. The soldiers sent us pictures of them smiling while eating our meals and it felt really good. We also went to help farmers whose land had been badly damaged by the war. That was our way to help.
I want to share with you a small part of what Adi Leon, my high school teacher’s nephew and my second cousin’s close friend wrote:
I never thought I would have to write something like this. I tried to put it off again and again, but they told us that we’re going into Gaza tomorrow and there is a possibility that we may not come back, there are a few things I need you to know before it’s over.
Dear mom and dad, although I don’t show you that much love or spend a lot of time with you, I want you to know how much I appreciate you. In the end, family is everything, and you always accepted me the way I am. You mean everything to me.
Zohar, my amazing sister, as I write this, I look back at all our memories together as children - how much fun we had together and how we would always be looking for things to do. I miss my childhood with you. Now you are the elder sister in the family. It’s a tough task but I’m sure you’ll be up to it. Because that’s who you are: responsible, wise and caring. Some might say “the successful sister.” I love you so much, and it’s important to me that you remember that. I’m sorry I can’t tell you that in person.
Oriki, my little sister, I don't think that God could create anything sweeter and more perfect than you. I’m writing this after not seeing you for two weeks and it feels like an eternity. I wish I could hug you one last time. You’re only 10 years old and still so innocent. I always enjoy seeing you get excited and discovering new things. It reminds me of myself. Sometimes I even envy you. I don’t know how a little girl your age is supposed to read something like this, and how you will accept it. But always remember that I love you and miss you, and if you want, you can always talk to me in your thoughts. I'll be listening to you even from heaven above.
I can’t write to everyone because I’ve been privileged to meet so many people during my life, but it is important to me to express my gratitude to you for all the moments and experiences that you gave me.
I am heading into this war with the knowledge that I may not return but I believe with all my heart in what I’m doing. We have no other country and now it’s my turn to defend it. This is what my parents thought me and this is what I believe in. I hope you will remember me. Adi Leon. Son of Nurit and Amir, brother of Zohar and Ori. Was born on February 22nd 2003 and grew up in the settlement of Nili
Adi, or as his family and friends called him, Addiush or Adidi, was a lovely young man with a constant smile on his face. A born leader, the star of the group. Adi was a soldier in the Givati Brigade, and was killed in battle in the northern Gaza Strip on October 31st 2023. He was 20 years old.
I want to end my Dvar with the words of Aaron David Gordon: “There can be no true victory of light over darkness, unless we understand the simple truth — that our task is not to battle the dark, but to strengthen the light.”
May we prove ourselves worthy. Thank you.
Tamar
:ילהי
The morning of seven of October I was home. I wasn’t sleeping so well and I woke up to the sound of something that sounded like a siren but really quiet. I went to my mom and asked her do you also hear this? She told me she doesn’t and I told her this is really weird but I think there is a siren going off.
A second after the siren went on really loudly, all my family woke up and we all got into the safe room. Shabbat, there are no phones. We don’t know what’s going on. Brought the phone, got into the news, a terrorist from Gaza in Israel?? People getting killed ? Terrorist from Gaza in Israel, people getting killed. I remember I read 100 people. 100 that’s when I turned off my phone I couldn’t keep reading the news. I didn't understand how big the terror was.
We sat there stressed with no understanding and news. It was stronger than me had to understand what’s going on. The news just kept getting worse and worse, then we still didn’t understand how big the terror was. My sister was in the army at the time. We were scared but we knew that she was in the centre of Israel and she was safe. The rest of the family was at home, even though I live in the centre of Israel the feeling of fear was everywhere. At the same night we still didn’t understand what’s going on. We didn't get how big the terror was just a few days after when there is no terrorist left in the kibbutzim we start to understand, but I still think that till this day we haven’t fully understood.
1200. 1200 murdered. And it doesn’t stop there, every person had a family, friends, a whole circle of people around them and everyone was affected.
And it doesn’t stop there. unfortunately throughout the war the number of fallen soldiers and fallen civilians just kept growing and growing and it still does, doesn’t matter if that happened a year ago or two months ago or two weeks ago and it got to us personally. And being far from home is not helping the circle of bereavement is just getting bigger.
In the first days of the war, my mum didn’t let us go out of the house, but from the third day we started to volunteer. Everywhere you go, you have a place to help pack things for soldiers being with kids who are fathers in the army. Wherever you need me, I’ll be there and not just me everyone all of my friends. Their parents, all the people in my city, and all of Israel. In the darkest time there was a bit of light.
I want to tell you a little bit about Matan Abergel.
Matan was the youngest of four brothers, a member of an old family in Harmesh in the Shomren. Studied at Emil Ofer high school in Or Akiva served in division 13 of Golani. On the seventh of October, he and his friends were guarding kibbutz Nir Am when they were attacked by dozens of terrorist, during the battle Matan jumped on a grenade that was thrown into their vehicle where his friends were sitting. In this heroic act, Matan saved their lives. His friend Daniel said that is last words were: “ I tried to protect all of us and all of Am Israel.”
In His funeral his mother said:
“My beloved Matan, I refuse to believe that you are no longer with us. The heart is broken into pieces. You were an amazing kid with a great sense of humor who aspired to go as far as possible. Always showing up for every mission first, that's also what you did when the murderous terrorists surprised you. You took command and fought until the bitter end, our child, brave and heroic, you became an angel and will watch over us from above."
Matan fell on 7.10.23 as a hero.
The war is still going on and we get into this crazy routine of sirens, missiles, hostages םיאולימ and more fallen soldiers every day. And it doesn't stop there, the anti-Semitism since the seventh is only increasing. Just two day’s ago on Yom Kippur two Jews were murdered in Manchester, it has to stop,may their memory be blessed
I also want to tell you about Rotem Levi.
Rotem Levi, was 24 years old when he fallen. He was married to Sheham, son of Asi and Michal, brother to Roi, Adva and Nega. He grew up in the settlement of Oranit. Rotem served in the םולהי Unit and went to the officers' course and the commanders' course. He always pushed himself to do as much as possible in the most challenging courses. Rotem was full of optimism and joy of life. He was very accomplished and with a head on his shoulders, but also had an extraordinary sensitivity and love for people. He had innate leadership abilities, the ability to harness people to his side with love and sensitivity.
His relationship with Shoham was amazing, a special couple and the love between them was shown to all. After his release from the army, they flew together to travel in South America. Shoham and Rotem were in a relationship for about 7 years, married for two and a half years. In his youth, Rotem volunteered at the א״דמ and was the coordinator of a camp for children with special needs. He was a man of action, and always did everything with modesty and humility. He loved the country very much and felt a deep sense of meaning in serving in the army.
Rotem was a bid fan of Maccabi Tel Aviv, the fan group was an inseparable part of his heart and sympathy for the team flowed through his veins. There he was also responsible for designing gate 11. Rotem speaks little and does a lot. He grew up to be a man with quiet leadership and an iron backbone, who was an inspiration to everyone around him. Rotem was a rare combination of uncompromising mission leadership, with maximum sensitivity to people. He felt a very deep meaning in his military actions and in everything he did. He loved the Land of Israel very much and was buried in its soil. Rotem was Always with a big smile on his face. We learned from you the love of people and the love of life. Rotem was my second cousin, I didn’t know him so well but I wish I did. Rotem fell in battle in the Gaza Strip on 18.12.23 as a hero.
Someone needs to stand up and yell this is not normal. This can’t be a routine. It’s not normal that we still have fallen soldiers every day. It’s not normal that more and more people are being part of this circle of bereavement, sirens are not normal. Missiles are not normal. Fear is not normal and hostages are not normal. It’s hard to live with understanding that we have hostages. That we have our own people in Gaza right now.
I want you to take these two minutes that we’re gonna read all the names of the hostages to really think about them and pray for them, and for their return.
Avinatan Or – רוא ןתניבא
Evyatar David – דוד רתיבא
Uriel Baruch – ךורב לאירוא
Itay Chen – ןח יתיא
Eitan Horn – ןרוה ןתיא
Eitan Levi – יול ןתיא
Eitan Mor – רומ ןתיא
Alon Ohel – להא ןולא
Eliyahu Margalit – תילגרמ והילא
Elkana Bohbot – טובחוב הנקלא
Asaf Hamami – יממח ףסא
Ariel Kounio – וינוק לאירא
Aryeh Zalmanovich – ’ץיבונמלז הירא
Bipin Joshi – ישו’ג ןיפיב
Bar Kuperstein – ןייטשרפוק רב
Joshua Lwito Molel – ללומ וטיאול עושו’ג
Guy Iluz – זוליא איג
Guy Gilboa-Dalal – לאלד-עובלג איג
Gali Berman – ןמרב ילג
David Kounio – וינוק דוד
Daniel Peretz – ץרפ לאינד
Dror Or – רוא רורד
Hadar Goldin – ןידלוג רדה
Ziv Berman – ןמרב ויז
Tal Chaimi – ימייח לט
Yossi Sharaabi – יבערש יסוי
Yosef Chaim Ohana – הנחוא םייח ףסוי
Lior Rodaif – ףיאדור רואיל
Muhammad Alatrash – שארטאלא דמחומ
Meni Godard – דראדוג ינמ
Maksim Herkin – ןיקרה םיסקמ
Matan Angerst – טסרגנא ןתמ
Matan Tsangaoker – רקואגנצ ןתמ
Nimrod Cohen – ןהכ דורמנ
Sahar Baruch – ךורב רהס
Sudthisak Rintalak – קאלתניר קאסיתדוס
Suntaya Oukarsri – ירסראקוא היאטנוס
Oz Daniel – לאינד זוע
Omer Naotrah – הרטואנ רמוע
Amiram Kuper – רפוק םרימע
Omri Miran – ןרימ ירמע
Inbar Hyman – ןמיה רבנע
Rom Breslavski – יקסבלסרב םור
Ronen Engel – לגנא ןנור
Ran Goili – יליאוג ן
Segev Kalfon – ןופלכ בגש
Tamir Eder – רדא רימת
Tamir Nimrodi – ידורמנ רימת
May we see All of them come home and may we hear some good news. Thank you and Shabbat Shalom.
D'Var Israel 27.9
Yali
Shalom everyone! We are in the middle of celebrating the high holidays and I couldn’t be happier! I waited for this for so long! I remember that one of the first thoughts I had when I found out that I got accepted to this program was that I'm going to be celebrating the holidays far from home. In a different country with new people and without the people I usually celebrate with.
I have to admit, I was super nervous, I'm still nervous. But after celebrating Rosh Hashanah, I realized that it's not much of a difference after all. The food is very similar and the blessings are the same. So I think that the main difference is that not everyone around me is celebrating the holiday too.
In Israel, I'm used to feeling the holiday everywhere. It's a special feeling that I can't really put into words. And it's always there. After the first day of the holiday, four days ago, we were on our way back home from the synagogue and passed by a public school and saw some students. It hit me suddenly. Not everyone is celebrating the holiday. It was really strange and new for me to see kids going to school when it's a holiday. I'm not in Israel anymore. That's the main difference.
Next week, we are going to celebrate Yom Kippur and I am really excited to see how it will go and how l will be feeling. When I was a kid, Yom Kippur was always the day to meet all my friends and to ride bikes around the city together. It changed when I was in 8th grade. I’ve started fasting. It was hard at the beginning but I was with my family and friends and here’s what my Yom Kippur looks like now:
We're having a big meal just before the fast starts and then I usually go to my friend’s house to meet some more friends. We're doing the fast together. Walking around the city for a little while to see more friends (even those we haven't seen or talked to in the last 5 years…) and it feels different. There are no cars in the street and it’s all so peaceful and quiet but also filled with people at the same time. And that is how we are going through the fast. Playing board games, solving at least 2 puzzles, and disconnecting from our phones for 25 hours.
I always break the fast with my family. With challah with olive oil, tea and a specific cake my mom makes. And then we drive to my grandparents’ house for dinner. So the holiday has really changed for me in the past few years. It became an opportunity for me to connect more to my friends, family, myself and my Jewish identity.
This year I’m not going to celebrate the holiday in that way. I’m in Canada after all… but I can't wait to see how it'll be. Will I feel the same connection? Will I miss it? Maybe both? anything can happen. But I do know that I am in the most supportive community. And that I only get to experience the holiday here once in that way… so no matter what will happen, I'm sure that it's going to be super meaningful for me.
Thank you all so much and Shabbat shalom!
Tamar
Shalom everyone, and for the last time, Shana Tova.
We are in the middle or the start of Chagei Tishrei (חגי תשרי) and Ii had the privilege to celebrate it with all of you. As Tamar said earlier there are some differences but it’s also the same. But the school thing was a shock to me too.
I have to say that I’m so happy that the holidays start with Rosh Hashanah, because one of the things I was nervous about most was that out side of Israel the holidays are being celebrated twice. And luckily Rosh Hashana in Israel is also two days, so I had an easy start. But really how can you do two Passover, two לילה הסדר? It feels impossible to me, even though I heard that one סדר you do with one side of the family and the second with the other side. But still, two סדר?
Soon on this Wednesday we celebrate יום כיפור, I haven’t experienced יום כיפור here so I can’t tell how it’s like here compared to what it’s like in Israel but what I can tell its, how I celebrate יום כיפור at home in Israel. Wow, יום כיפור, the most important and beautiful high holiday for me, in Israel it feels like all the country is standing still, 25 hours of quiet, in kind of peace. All the restaurants and stores are closed but the streets are full of people, all wearing white.
It’s like the streets are filled with angels. All the children are riding their bikes and the vibe is just so special it’s a feeling that you experience only on יום כיפור.For me כיפור, it’s the day when I got to hang with my family, talk, read and play a lot, lots of board games. Just really being together without any distractions.
Every year before my בת מצווה. I tried to fast at least the night of כיפור,just to practice for the future, but really I just wanted to be like my big sisters. I remember the first כיפור I really fast I, I was 11 and I was so proud of myself for doing that, I felt like I can do anything, I’m unstoppable. Then I didn’t understand why I fast, what כיפור really was, but now, now I know I built and still building my understanding and meaning of this beautiful high holiday.
In Israel יום כיפור is just something that you can’t really explain with words and I tried, but I do think that this year will be the most special year for me, getting to celebrate and experience it here with all of you, I’m so lucky so thank you!
This week was so much fun and festive and it opened our holidays season and in this opportunity I want to remind everyone that לדור ודור for סוכות start very soon on October 5 and we are looking forward to seeing you all, and of course in K&L and all are other programs too.
Thank you so much and Shabbat Shalom.
D'Var Israel - Rosh Hashana 24.9
Yali
Shalom everyone and Shana Tova. I’m Yali Rosenblum the Shinshinit. Im 18 years old from Givat Shmuel. Im a daughter to my amazing parents Rami and Dafna. And a sister for Ella,Tamar and Libi.
I was a part of the youth movement Bnei Akiva for 8 years, while in two of these years I was Madrich for the best group in the world. A little bit more about myself is that I really love cooking, reading books, learning and traveling and many more things but for that we have a whole year.What also i can say except how excited I’m to be here right now and to celebrate the holidays with all of you.
Rosh Hashana for me is the perfect opportunity to look back on the past year and be grateful, sad, proud, happy and many more, but also to learn and make the new year a better one. For me, this year is the most special one, it's my first time doing Rosh Hashana away from home, from Israel, but in the most welcoming and friendly community. I have to say that one of the many thing i have already learned from my time here is that, out side of Israel you have to choose to be Jewish, you have to choose to celebrate the holidays. For me as un Israeli I was born into it, everywhere you go you feel the holidays, in school, in stores, in work and even just like that on the streets.But here, here you choose, you choose to feel and celebrate the holidays and everyone in this room and online choose. And it is not obvious and I really appreciate it. I can say that I learn from all of you, to choose, to celebrate the holidays because I want to, to remember how lucky I am, and not to celebrate because I’m used to or because it's easy for me. So thank you so much.
I wanna add and say that it’s weird to be far from my family in Rash Hashana, cus like all of you know its really is a family time. But I can tell you that this community has been so welcoming and loving that I already feel like home. And in that opportunity I want to say thank you to Jerry and Janet Lotermen, my host family for opening their house and heart for me, thank you so very much.And thank all of you for this amazing opportunity to be a small part of this big and beautiful community that means a lot for me.Thank you so much and have Shana Tova and U'Metukah.
Tamar
Shalom everyone! I already got to know some of you, and some of you already got to know me a little. But to those who haven’t, hello, I’m Tamar Shaul, I’m almost 18 years old and I’m from Hod Hasharon which is a city in the center of Israel, 30 min from Tel Aviv. I’m a middle child to my amazing parents Shlomi and Meirav and a sister to Omri and Nitay. And I also have the most adorable and cute dog named Phoebe. I love all kinds of art! Drawing, painting and I also sing and play the guitar. I was part of the Israeli youth movement ״ובמרק לש םייפנכ״ krembo wings for the past 7 years and it was absolutely amazing!
In the last couple of days, we celebrated Rosh Hashana. Wow. As someone that lives in Israel, I’m used to celebrating the holiday in a specific way and to hear about it everywhere. At school we always eat apples with honey, throwing a ceremony with songs and wishes for the new year and everyone wears white. I’m used to celebrating with my entire family, with a lot of food, decorations, some gifts, stories, songs and simply just with the people I love the most.
And now, it’s different. I’m at the other side of the world and trying to understand how people in Canada are celebrating the high holidays.It’s a great opportunity for me to thank my host family, Carol and Jeff Finewax for making me feel at home, for making the holiday so special, remarkable and just perfect! I wouldn’t change a thing! Thank you❤
I’m super excited and looking forward to this year. I’m sure that it’s going to be a really meaningful year, filled with so many new experiences and good memories. I also want to remind you that we’re going to have a lot of programs this year! L’Dor Va’Dor that starts on October 5th, Kiddush & Learn, My Israel and many more!
Thank you all so so much and Shana Tova!
D'Var Israel 13.9
Yali
Shalom everyone, I’m Yali the new shinshiniot and I’m super excited to be here. I’m so grateful for this opportunity. I already can tell what an amazing community this is and how lucky I am to be a small part of it. Thank you.
I really wanna get to know everyone here and I have one year to do so but for a start maybe you can get to know me a little.
So nice to meet you all, I’m Yali Rachel Rosenblum. I’m 18 years old and I’m from Givat Shmuel which is a city 20 min from Tel Aviv, even though every city in the centre is 20 minutes from Tel Aviv. I’m the third of four sisters, Ella, Tamar and Bilby, Libi. and my parents, Rami and Dafna. I can say that I really miss them and love them so much. I say this like they can hear because they can, my mother is watching me right now from the zoom, love you mom.
I really love traveling, specifically in Israel,and especially with my friends. One of my dreams is to travel the world, and I believe that I will do that one day! I love to cook and bake but I'm not saying that I’m good at it, I just love to do it, and I also worked in a bakery.
I was a part of the youth movement B'nei Akiva for eight years, which in two of these years I was Madricha for the best girls! In B'nei Akiva I met some of my best friends and I'm so grateful for them.
I have never thought that I’ll be a shinshiniot, but from the moment I heard about this program I knew that this was exactly what I wanted to do. I want to bring my little piece of Israel to you, to connect all of us together, and give as much as I can.
And for me to learn and experience, and form my own Jewish identity. I can already say that I gained and learned so much and I’m just two weeks in. So thank you again .
Well there is a lot more to say and for that we have a year, but now it’s my time to get to know you all and of course for you to get to know Tamar.
Thank you!
Tamar
Hey everyone! I’m Tamar. Wow, this is really crazy. The 15 year old me could have never believed that she’d be standing here right now. So thank you for this amazing opportunity. As Yali said, just before we’ll get to know you, here’s a great opportunity for you to get to know me a little.
I’m Tamar Shaul, I'm almost 18 years old and I'm from Hod Hasharon which is a city in the center of Israel, that yes, you guessed right, is 30 min from Tel Aviv… I’m the middle child to my amazing parents Shlomi and Meirav and a sister to my brothers - Omri and Nitay. And of course, I can’t forget about my sweet dog Phoebe, that between us, she’s the one I miss the most.
I have always loved art, all kinds of it. I love painting and drawing, I've been playing the guitar for the past 5 years and I've been singing my whole life and even played in two musicals in my high school. Another fun fact about me is that I used to dance flamenco, I've danced for 10 years!
In the past 7 years I was a part of the youth movement “כנפיים של קרמבו” - krembo wings which is a youth movement for kids with and without special needs. I was a מדריכה for two years and than a רכזת - which means that I was in charge of a group of 8 other מדריכים and it was amazing!
Standing here and speaking to you now is truly a dream come true for me. To be honest, I've always thought that I wouldn’t do any kind of a gap year after high school and that I would go straight to the army… but as soon as I heard about this amazing program, I just knew that this is the right place for me. The perfect place for me to bring pieces from Israel to other people, to connect with the Jewish community around the world and to learn so much about myself from doing so.
I have so much more to talk about with you and I’m so glad that we have a whole year for that! As for now, we invite you to come tomorrow to our welcome back BBQ and of course to all of our programs during the year.
Thank you so much and Shabbat Shalom!
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