Welcoming the 2025–26 Schoenbaum Shinshinim to Atlanta
On August 15, the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta proudly welcomed the newest cohort of Schoenbaum Shinshinim. This dynamic group of nine young Israeli leaders—Andy, Inbar, Itai, Liri, Naama, Omer, Rotem, and Shir—has arrived in Atlanta for a year of service, connection, and impact. Meet this year’s cohort here.
The Shinshinim program is a meaningful investment in two of Federation’s impact areas: Jewish Education and Israel & Jews Worldwide. These remarkable young emissaries bring Israel directly into the lives of Atlantans, creating authentic relationships with children, teens, and families. Their energy and presence make Israel not just a faraway place, but a living, breathing part of Jewish identity here at home.
Jenn Handel, Director of Israel Engagement, oversees the program. She shares, “Every year, our Shinshinim engage with thousands of folks in our community. They help bring Israel to life and empower our community to want to learn and connect more. The relationships these young Israelis will make this year will long outlive their time in Atlanta.”
Over the next year, this cohort will touch thousands of lives. In classrooms, they’ll teach Hebrew songs and share Israeli holidays. At summer camps and youth programs, they’ll tell stories of life in Israel, sparking conversations about identity and belonging. In synagogues and community events, they’ll serve as role models, building bridges between our community and the Jewish homeland. Parents often share how their children return home eager to talk about their “big brothers and sisters from Israel.” These moments create lifelong memories and strengthen Jewish pride for the next generation.
For the Shinshinim, the year is equally transformative. Living with Atlanta families, volunteering in diverse settings, and immersing themselves in Jewish Atlanta, they gain new perspectives and deepen their own sense of Jewish peoplehood.
Jenn emphasizes that the program’s power extends beyond formal settings: “It’s such a heartwarming moment when I get texted a photo out of the blue. A day school student visiting Israel reconnects with the Shinshinim. A host family travels halfway around the world to visit with their ‘Israeli child.’ The real power of the Shinshinim program is everything that happens outside of the classroom. The real people, the real conversations, the real relationships – this is what inspires me each and every day.”
The Schoenbaum Shinshinim program is possible thanks to the generosity of Federation donors. It represents an exceptional investment of community resources—every dollar goes far in shaping Jewish journeys, fostering pride in Israel, and nurturing the next generation of leaders both in Atlanta and abroad. At a time when Jewish education and Israel engagement are more important than ever, this program is a clear demonstration of donor dollars at work.
“Without the financial support of our community, this program wouldn’t be possible. From the generosity of Federation donors, the Schoenbaum family who gives so generously, to our host families who welcome an extra person into their household for months at a time, to our partner organizations who help bring the Shinshinim’s creativity to life – this program represents the best of what Jewish Atlanta collaboration has to offer.”
As this new year begins, we celebrate the power of partnership—between Atlanta and Israel, between donors and community, and between generations. Together, we are shaping a vibrant Jewish future. Welcome, 2025–26 Schoenbaum Shinshinim—we can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make!
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