For the Israeli emissaries — or shlichim — in Madison, it’s all about making a connection.
“A lot of our focus is talking about our experiences in Israel,” said 25-year-old Shirly Gill-Raiz, who with her husband Daniel Gill are the emissaries sent to Wisconsin’s capital in August by the Jewish Agency of Israel. “Then we will go back to Israel to speak with Israelis about the Jewish culture here. We want to make a connection between Israel and the entire Jewish nation.”
While there is a perception among some Jews that the main goal of the shlichim is to encourage making aliyah to Israel, Daniel says that’s not true. “That might have been the goal of the program years ago, but now we want to make a global connection to Israel,” he said.
Daniel and Shirly have been married for 2.5 years and have been living in Jerusalem. Neither had lived previously in the United States, although the 28-year-old Daniel had spent a few weeks at a camp in New York. “We are eager to get a new perspective on the Jewish way of life,” Shirly said.
Daniel is basically working in the Jewish community of Madison, going to various congregations, teaching Hebrew to Jews of all ages – from pre-school to adults – working on educational programs and with lay leadership. He said the hardest thing for him has been getting used to working in an office, which he had never done in Israel where he was a teacher and a tour guide. “Half my time here so far has been spent in an office, doing things I am not used to doing like sending emails and receiving emails,” he said.
A big chunk of Shirly’s day is spent at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus with Hillel and she is getting used to working with younger college students.
“Israelis first go in the army, then travel before going to a university when they are 25, 26, 27, not when they are 18 like here,” Shirly said. “But even though they are younger, they are good at learning and are involved in a lot of cool things within their organizations.”
And, Shirly added with a laugh, “They like to party while wearing red (school color).”
The Jewish Federation of Madison pays the housing and utilities of the shlichim and gives them a stipend for living expenses during the year or two they spend in Madison.
The Madison Federation has been part of the emissary program for 13 years, said Dina Weinbach, who has been with the Federation for 21 years, the past three as executive director.
“The typical shlichim are young adults who may or may not be married and usually don’t have any children, although last year a baby was born in Madison to our shlichim – the first time that has happened since we have been involved with the program,” Weinbach said.
Weinbach said there is a job description that potential shlichim receive before accepting a position, but there is room for creativity to take advantage of their interests. For instance, Daniel plays the guitar and would like to teach Israeli songs, and the couple would like to do something with Rosh Chodesh. They enjoyed helping with the Sukkot celebration at Hillel.
“People are starting to get to know us better,” Daniel said.
Daniel’s father is from Israel, and his mother was born in Poland but came to Israel around 1950. Shirly’s father was born and raised on a kibbutz in Israel. “He is very, very Israeli,” Shirly said. Her mother is from Spain, came to study in Israel when she was 18 and met Shirly’s father.
Shirly said the couple applied to become shlichim because “it fascinated us to help people abroad make a connection with Israel.” The Jewish Agency selects shlichim after going through the background of applicants, how well they speak English and how the agency feels they can handle living in the U.S., among other things. Before coming to the U.S., they attend a three-week seminar in Israel, meet the shlichim they are replacing and learn what duties they will have in the U.S. Shirly also attended a two-week seminar in St. Louis to help her with her work at Hillel.
“We’re thrilled to have them” Weinbach said. “The program provides a wonderful enhancement for our community, and the connection it builds with Israel is really nice.”
The hardest part for Shirly is being away from family and her Israeli friends on Shabbat, but she added, “We are glad we are here. Madison is a really nice place and we are grateful that people have been so friendly and welcoming.”
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