STL Shinshinim

A Shinshin is an 18-year-old Israeli emissary who has graduated from high school and defers their army service in the IDF for one year to volunteer in Jewish communities abroad with the goal of educating people of all ages about Israel and Israeli culture. They teach about Israel through creative programs and challenging discussions, bringing an authentic Israel experience to the community they serve, while forming long lasting relationships with their host families and members of the community.

This program is a partnership between the Jewish Federation of St. Louis and the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), with the support of the Lubin-Green Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis.

One of the main objectives of bringing Shinshinim to our community is to encourage Israel engagement through educational programming, through formal and informal social interactions, and by building relationships with community members.

The Shinshinim serve as Israeli cultural ambassadors throughout the community, and the program ultimately builds a bridge between Israeli youth and Jewish communities, creating an educational dialogue between the two, in order to strengthen our Jewish family ties and to build the foundation for a secure Jewish future.