To connect Jews to Israel is to strengthen Jewish identity. The Israel Center of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation proves this truism every day. The heart of Israel Center are the shelichim, cultural emissaries who spend two to three years living in Milwaukee with their families, becoming part of the fabric of our local community.
As the liaison between Milwaukee and Israel, each shaliach brings world class cultural and study programs to our community; links Milwaukeeans of all ages to study, travel and volunteer opportunities in Israel; presents an Israel that’s unrelated to politics or discord to the greater business, cultural and educational community; and brings together local Jews in celebration of and support for Israel.
Another component of Israel Center is Partnership2Gether (P2G), a program that connects a region in Israel to a sister region in the mid-west including Milwaukee, St. Paul and Tulsa. We partner with the Sovev Kinneret region in enrichment exchanges for professionals and cultural exchanges for teens and adults.
Each summer we send a cadre of teens to the Sovev Kinneret region, and they in turn send Israel teens to Milwaukee. Professional exchanges have included ecologists, physicians and chefs. Recently a group of Milwaukee social workers travelled to Israel to learn unique strategies from their Israeli peers on how to support individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Our Shin-Shinim, two young Israeli emissaries, spend a year in Milwaukee before entering the Israeli army, connecting young people with Israel. The Shin-Shinim come from Sovev Kinneret through P2G. Working through schools, synagogues and other community organizations, the Shin-Shinim build one-on-one relationships with children creating a love of Israel and a stronger Jewish identity.
So the next time you attend a local concert with an Israeli rock star, lace up your shoes for the Walk for Israel or hear stories from your child about her Shin-Shin friend from religious school, know that your annual campaign gift is hard at work enhancing Jewish identity and building a stronger community.
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