A Special Note From Tamar Schnitzer, Detroit ShinShin
Shinshin (ש”ש) is the Hebrew acronym for Shenat Sherut, meaning a year of community service. To help strengthen the bonds between Detroit and Israel, Federation’s Israel & Overseas Department brought ShinShin participants — recent high school graduates from Israel who defer their army service for a year —to Detroit, for a year of outreach, relationship-building and service at our local community organizations.
Unfortunately, the ShinShin program had to be cut short due to COVID-19. But that doesn’t mean lifelong bonds weren’t still created. Here’s a note to our community from one participant, Tamar Schnitzer:
Ever since I came returned from Michigan, many people have asked me how it feels to be back earlier and how I feel about this year getting cut short. So I’ll start from the end, which we all know; the coronavirus pandemic spread across the world shutting down almost everything including our Shnat Sherut (year of service), and we were sent back to Israel.
But the 7 months that we did get to experiencing were life-changing for me.
I went through a real process, experienced new sides in me that I never thought I had, and made amazing connections in this great community.
So yes, leaving early was unexpected and painful in many ways, but I choose to remember this year as it was. Looking back on everything I’ve done, and all of the remarkable people who have touched my heart, I feel so proud and fulfilled. It might not have been a full year but it will definitely stay with me for years to come.
In November I will be joining the IDF as combat rescue soldier.
