Omer Mahnovsky

Shalom! My name is Omer, I’m 18 years old, and I’m from Petah Tikva.

I’m so excited to be one of your next Shinshinim in Atlanta! I’m the oldest in my family—my parents, Felix and Pazit, and my younger siblings, Yoad who is 15, and Alma who is 9. Even though we all have busy lives, my family is really close, and we love spending time together, whether it’s at home or exploring new places in Israel.

In high school, I study in the “Nachshon” class, which is part of the Nachshon program for developing talented and ethical youth to build Israel’s next generation of scientific leaders. I major in biology and computer science, which has been both challenging and inspiring. I’m very passionate about technology, science, and learning new things that can help make a difference in the world.

Since I was 3 years old, judo has been a huge part of my life. I trained for years and was a member of the Israeli national team, and I’m proud to have been the Israeli youth champion. Although I’m no longer competing professionally, judo taught me discipline, perseverance, and how to push myself to keep improving. For the past three years, I’ve spent most of my time in the Tzofim (Israeli Scouts) as a guide, which I absolutely love. There’s nothing more meaningful to me than working with younger Scouts, planning activities, and seeing them grow.

In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, playing computer games, and traveling around the country—especially hiking and discovering beautiful places in Israel. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be in Atlanta, get to know your community, share my Israeli story, and hear all of yours. This journey will create memories that last a lifetime!