Federation brings Israel to Rochester by welcoming a new cohort of ShinShinim each year.
ShinShinim—a Hebrew acronym for shnat sherut, or "year of service"—are post-high school cultural emissaries who spend a full year volunteering in Jewish communities around the world. We are proud to welcome these exceptional young adults to Rochester, where they share their stories, creativity, and love of Israel with people of all ages.
Our ShinShinim volunteer across the community, helping bring Israeli life and culture into classrooms, synagogues, preschools, the JCC, and many other spaces. Through educational lessons, holiday programs, presentations, arts and crafts, music, and everyday conversation, they make Israel feel close and familiar.
More than volunteers, the ShinShinim serve as a living bridge between Rochester and Israel. Each emissary brings their own energy, personality, and perspective, sparking meaningful connections and opening doors to deeper understanding. Their presence enriches learning and nurtures Jewish pride while also inviting our community to explore new cultures, traditions, and ways of seeing the world.
The ShinShinim help foster multiculturalism by encouraging curiosity about differences and bringing people together around what unites us, highlighting the many voices and experiences that make up the global Jewish community. They model respectful dialogue, celebrate diversity within Jewish life, and create opportunities for people to learn from one another.
Meet Our 2026 - 2027 ShinShinim!
We’ve handpicked this year's four ShinShinim to be part of our Rochester community. We’re excited to welcome Ofir, Or, Tamar, and Noa here to Rochester, and they can’t wait to meet you. Here’s a little bit about them:
Contact Us
Michal Spivak
Director of ShinShinim Programming
585.241.8611
Are you interested in becoming a host family or already are one?
Ofir
Ofir lives in Modi’in, Rochester’s partner city, with his parents and two older brothers. His father, Ran, manages a company, and his mother, Ester, is a senior police officer. In high school, Ofir majored in physics and software engineering. He chose these subjects because of his curiosity about how the world works and his interest in technology. As part of his studies, he developed games and websites, including a Bingo game and “Chawazi,” a tool for randomly selecting participants or dividing them into groups.
Since 7th grade, Ofir has been an active member of the Israeli Scouts (Tzofim). He has participated in weekly activities, construction projects, and summer camps, while taking on increasing leadership responsibilities. He currently serves as Head of Scouting Activities for senior scouts and is part of the logistics team of Shevet Ofek. He was also selected for the Tzofim Friendship Caravan, where he traveled across the US with a group of scouts, sharing Israeli culture through stories and songs. Besides being involved in Scouts, Ofir enjoys traveling, running, swimming, and working out in the gym. Ofir is excited to bring his leadership experience and passion for community to Rochester as a ShinShin.
What are three things Ofir loves about Israel? “First, I love the Israeli people. There’s a unique warmth and kindness here that often makes it feel like one big family. Second, I love Israeli food. Nothing feels more like home, and its unique flavors always lift my spirit. Finally, I love the opportunities for personal growth and meaningful experiences that Israel offers. One of the most impactful years of my life was 9th grade, when I met people from across the country and formed friendships that helped shape who I am today.”
Or
Or lives in our partnership city of Modi'in with her parents, two older siblings, and their dog. She attended Mor High School, majoring in biotechnology and emergency medicine, fields that reflect both her curiosity about life-saving science and her strong sense of responsibility in times of crisis.
In her free time, Or volunteers with Magen David Adom, where she takes part in emergency response and supports her community during critical moments. She is also an active member of the Israeli Scouts (Tzofim), where for the past two years she has guided a group of children with special needs. Through these experiences, Or has developed confidence, leadership skills, and a deep commitment to helping others. She is excited to bring her motivation, positive attitude, and strong sense of commitment to her role as a ShinShinit in Rochester.
What are three things Or loves about Israel? "The first thing I love about Israel is its people. I love the warmth, kindness, and strong sense of community that makes it feel like family. I also treasure Israel’s diverse landscapes, where within hours you can travel from beaches to deserts, green mountains to historic cities. There’s so much variety in such a small place, and I love to explore and discover new spots. Finally, I love Jerusalem! Walking through Machane Yehuda Market, with its many smells, music, and vibrant energy, reminds me why Israel feels like home."
Tamar
Tamar grew up in Modi’in with her parents, two sisters, and brother. She attends a boarding school for gifted students in Jerusalem. She was drawn to the program after visiting Rochester as part of the Student Exchange, and because of her interest in international affairs and her desire to connect with people from different cultures. Tamar is part of the IB program and studies entirely in English.
In her free time, Tamar enjoys spending time with friends, reading, writing, and being outdoors. At age 13, she followed in her father’s footsteps and earned her scuba diving license. Since then, they have enjoyed diving together and exploring Israel’s natural beauty. She’s also an avid hiker and makes time for a hike at least once per month.
Inspired by her mother, who often brought her along to volunteer, Tamar grew up helping at food banks and donating clothes, games, and even her hair. As she got older, she began creating and leading volunteer projects within her school community. Tamar is also a participant in “Kav Hazinuk” (The Starting Line), Israel’s only ten-year leadership program, which encourages participants to think long-term, act with integrity, and bridge social gaps in Israeli society. She looks forward to bringing her passion for community service and leadership to Rochester as a ShinShinit.
What are three things Tamar loves about Israel? “I love the vibe at Tel Aviv’s beaches, where I can watch people surf, skateboard, play footvolley, and enjoy the moment (and the sunsets). I love the energy of Mahane Yehuda market on Friday mornings, filled with music, aromas, and people preparing for Shabbat. And finally, I love Israel’s unique landscapes and nature, especially the Dead Sea, where I can rub the mud on my skin and float carefree. It is such a beautiful place that doesn’t compare to anything else in the world.”
Noa
Noa lives in Modi’in-Maccabim-Reut with her parents, two brothers, and her sister. In high school, she majored in Physics, Sociology, and Psychology, subjects she finds both intellectually stimulating and meaningful.
For the past six years, Noa has been actively involved in a robotics program, where she serves as an instructor for middle school students, teaching innovation, engineering, coding, teamwork, and community impact. She also volunteers as a judge at robotics competitions for children ages 8–15. In addition, Noa was a member of the Israeli Scouts for eight years, where she guided a group of young boys. Through these experiences, she developed strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, as well as a deep sense of responsibility and empathy.
Outside of volunteering, Noa enjoys traveling, spending time with friends, and listening to music. She also enjoys running and playing volleyball and soccer. Noa was part of the JFI (Journey for Identity) delegation, spending time in Rochester, Poland, and Israel. This experience deeply impacted her, and she looks forward to sharing her perspective, along with her passion, leadership experience, and commitment to community as a ShinShinit in Rochester.
What are three things Noa loves about Israel? “First, I love Israeli culture. The food, holidays, and traditions create meaningful connections and reflect Israel’s unique diversity. Second, I cherish the strong sense of community. There is a special feeling of connection and belonging here that comes from our shared experiences and relationships. Finally, I am inspired by Israel’s diversity. Meeting people from different backgrounds has broadened my perspective and taught me the value of understanding and respecting others.”
Meet our past ShinShinim
Maya, Itai, Nadav, and Yael (2025-2026)
ShinShinim 2025-2026 Year-in-Review
ShinShinim 2025-2026 Music Video
Hadas, Yehonatan, Ofer, and Ziv (2024-2025)
ShinShinim 2024-2025 Year-in-Review
ShinShinim 2024-2025 Music Video
Uri, Yael, Dana and Ron (2023-2024)
Aviv, Ori, Avishag, and Alon (2021/2022)
As a parting gift to the Rochester community, these ShinShinim created their own Israel Travel Guide. It’s filled with recommendations on their favorite places to eat and hike, how not to look like a tourist, and other tips for seeing Israel like a local.
Yael, Keren, Gilad, and Ori (2019/2020)
After returning to Israel, this first group of ShinShinim created an Israeli Recipe Book filled with details on how to cook their favorite dishes from home.
