This year, we are fortunate to have three shinshinim living in our community. In partnership with the Jewish Agency, our Jewish Federation brings these young adults from Israel for a gap year—after high school and before their obligatory service—to share Israeli culture with us. They spend time in our schools, synagogues, and agencies, interacting with our children and enriching our community. For four years, this partnership has been nothing short of fabulous.

Growing up in Israel, a country that shares similar freedoms with the U.S., these young Jews hold many of the same Jewish values as their peers here. Yet there are noticeable differences, shaped largely by geography and geopolitics (a topic for another day). Geography alone creates fascinating contrasts. A couple of years ago, one shinshin asked, “Why do I have a giant toothbrush in the trunk of my car?” Most of them have never seen accumulated snow, or if they have, they’ve never had to deal with it beyond admiring its beauty.

Just last week, I took two of our teens out for their first snow-driving experience. One looked at the snow piled on the car and asked, “Ehhh, what is all this?” I replied, “You know that brush you’ve been driving around with…”

Our families, friends, environments, and experiences all shape our attitudes and behaviors. I love that this program gives us the chance to learn about new people who share so much with us—but not everything. If you haven’t met our shinshinim yet and would like to, please reach out to me. They—and other Israelis visiting this week—will be at Chanukah on Jay this Sunday. Please say “hi!”

Speaking of Chanukah on Jay, I received quite a bit of feedback from last week’s article. Apparently, I was vague when I wrote, “I received a call from a community leader…” without naming the leader. Apologies—it was Neil Golub.

I hope to see everyone on Sunday. Dress warmly!