Amit Dvash was born in Petach-Tikva in September 2002 and has lived there most of his life. He has two younger siblings — a sister Roni, 15, and a brother Jonathan, 11. His parents, Ravit and Lior, are both Israeli. Ravit grew up on a Kibbutz, while Lior and his family are also from Petach-Tikvah. During Amit’s Kindergarten year, he went to school at Givat Hashlosha Kibbutz which was important to his mother.
Amit was involved in the scouts from fourth through twelfth grade. It was a huge part of his life and he plans to continue while he’s here in Atlanta. His favorite activities in the scouts were traveling and camping. Building and learning to cook for five hundred people were other great experiences that helped build his character. When it was time to choose a high school, Amit went to a boarding school called Haifa Command Military School. There he met Dekel Swissa, one of Atlanta’s former Shinshinim. After expressing his desire to do a gap year after high school Dekel introduced him to the Shinshinim program and our Atlanta community. Amit loves surfing, basketball, volleyball, reading, cooking, baking, traveling and hiking. He’s very friendly and outgoing and can’t wait for his next adventure with us in Atlanta.

Amit Toledo was born in New York in 2002. At the age of five she moved to Israel, then back to New York at the age of seven where she attended a Solomon Schecter school from third through seventh grade. Amit’s family finally moved back for good to Nes Ziona, Israel. Both of her parents, Limor and Moshe, are Israeli. Amit has two siblings, Yuval, 16, and an older sister Lior who currently serves in the IDF as a combat soldier in the Iron Dome.
Amit is bubbly, outgoing, and has a great sense of humor. She loves to laugh and she enjoys film making. She also has a very strong connection to a youth movement called Moadonthick. Her involvement in this organization built her self-confidence and purpose throughout her high school years and ultimately led her to the Shinshinim program. She plans to share her experiences in her youth movement and her love for the greenest city in Israel with all of Atlanta this year.

Ilan Lieberman was born in Jerusalem in 2001. When he was five-years-old his family moved to Modin. He has two younger sisters — Meital, 17, and Hadas, 13. His parents are Suzy and Avi. Suzy is from London and Avi is from Queens, New York. Suzy made aliyah in her twenties while Avi’s family made aliyah when he was in high school.

When Ilan was in middle school, his family took a leap of faith and moved to Las Vegas for a year, choosing to travel and immerse themselves in American culture. At first, it was challenging to figure out the cultural norms such as planning play dates and wearing school uniforms. Ilan enjoyed the American luxuries so much, he thought it would be difficult to leave but, in the end, he was glad to return to Modin. Throughout childhood, Ilan loved the “All Star Camp,” a summer day camp for American kids who have made aliyah. Ilan also spent time volunteering in a program called Yedid Nefesh, spending time with special needs children during Shabbat, as well as shopping and running errands for older people during the Coronavirus pandemic. Even with his previous American experiences, he can’t wait to share his Israeli life with Atlanta.

Maya Lee Goren was born in Boston in 2002. Her older brother Ty was born in upstate New York. Her parents, Taly and Michael, are both Israeli and grew up in Haifa. The family calls Binyamina their home, however they are quite the nomads. Maya has lived in Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong over the course of her eighteen years and she’s about to add Atlanta, Georgia to her list.

After many years spent in International schools, Maya graduated from high school in Binyamina. She focused on theater and diplomacy. She loves performing, dancing, and screenwriting. She won first place in a school competition and got to see her play performed on stage. Her true passion is children with special needs. Maya was involved in two special needs programs — Hong Kong’s Big Brother Big Sister Program and the Scouts in Israel. While in Atlanta she will deepen her love for exploration of new places and cultures while sharing her love for Israel with all of us.

Shiraz Bar Haim was born in 2002 in Yokneam and has lived her whole life there with her parents, Hili and Ayal, and younger sister Yuli, 14. Her mom, Hili is from a Kibbutz not far from Yokneam, and Ayal and his family are from Yokneam, most of whom still live there. Shiraz attended the Daliot School from kindergarten through 12th grade which is known for being a “green school.”

Shiraz has been involved in a youth movement called Krambo’s Wings since 7th grade. It is the first organization in Israel that connects kids with and without special needs. She also volunteered at MaDA Ambulatory as both a participant and instructor. Shiraz was accepted into a leadership program called Ot Ramon, named for Ilan Ramon, to educate youth throughout Israel. Shiraz was student government president who planned all senior activities and celebrations throughout the year. Her goal in Atlanta is to be a delegator and do-er while sharing her love of our sister city Yokneam and her beloved country of Israel.

Yael Yankelevitch was born in Rechovot, Israel in 2002. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Beit Shemesh where she grew up. She is the middle child of five siblings, with two older brothers, 21 and 20, and two younger sisters, 13 and 9. Her parents are Omer and Yaron. Omer was born in Israel and spent her years in shlichut (outreach) in Russia growing up in a secular family who ultimately became Orthodox when she was a teenager. Omer, her mom, is currently the Minister of Diaspora Affairs. Yaron was born in Israel and spent sixteen years in Boston.
Yael was a competative swimmer, because of her religious beliefs, she felt that it was more appropriate to coach for the next two years. She was a volunteer MT for the MaDA Ambulatory program. She also pioneered an English language program called Sababta bringing senior citizens together with younger generations. Finally, she has been tutoring American neighbors who’ve made aliyah in their school subjects. Yael has never been to the United States before becoming a Shinshinit so she can’t wait to learn from us about what being Jewish is like here in Atlanta as well as she can't wait to bring Israel here as creatively as possible.