OUR HISTORY:
Beginning in 2001, the Southern New England Consortium (SNEC) was a home for Israeli Young Emissaries. The emissaries came from our Partnership communities in Israel: Afula and Gilboa Region. Instead of entering the Israel Defense Forces immediately after high school, the emissaries deferred their army service for a year, and went through an intense application and year-long training process in order to perform a year of service in the United States. The emissaries were trained as experiential, hands-on novice educators, working toward creating meaningful connections and living bridges between the partnership communities in the US and Israel. The emissaries lived with American host families and worked in our local Jewish agencies as well as the public schools. Incorporating these young Israelis into our schools and communal agency programs was always an incredible opportunity for our students, families, and our community at large. These students were role models and the best Israel had to offer.
During Covid our community shifted to the Shaliach program where our emissaries are now POST ARMY. And our incoming Shaliach this year is no stranger, — Dolev Stav served in Central MA as a Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership2Gether Young Emissary in 2019-20
We are excited to welcome back our past 2019-20 Young Emissary, DOLEV STAV as our CENTRAL MA SHALIACH this year!
Dolev and his family live on Kibbutz Beit Hashita. His Dad's side of the family is from Eastern Europe, and his Mom’s side is from Yemen and Iran. When he was 2 years old his family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, for 3 years, because of his Dad's job. In high school, Dolev majored in theater and psychology. Before coming to Central MA in 2019 for his Shlichut he danced 4 times a week.
Ever since he was a little kid, he loved learning about Israel and Judaism, and had a lot of interest in how the Jewish customs are all over the world.
He strongly believes in making connections. “I have always been interested in Jewish communities all over the world, and I think that it is important to expand our horizons and learn about our culture.”
Dolev, 22, will arrive in Central MA in August and stay a full year. As Shaliach, he will live in his own apartment, as opposed to living with host families as he did as a young emissary a few years ago.
Dolev will work with synagogues throughout Central MA and their religious schools, Clark Hillel and on projects with the Jewish Federation of Central MA, which sponsors the Shaliach program.
“We are so excited to welcome Shlichot into our community,” said Steven Schimmel, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Central MA. “There are tremendous opportunities to continue to enrich and strengthen our connection to Israel, and I have been working closely with our Young Emissary Coordinator Liz Baker to ensure a successful Shaliach program. A Shaliach will undoubtedly enable us to develop deeper and more meaningful connections, especially as our community returns to normalcy from the pandemic.”
One of Dolev’s goals has been to return to the U.S. as a Shaliach. He has gone through extensive training at the Jewish Agency’s Shlichut Institute to prepare. He attributes his interest in being a Shaliach to his love of education. Dolev said his previous year in Worcester and the relationships he forged will be an advantage in his work as a Shaliach. There are currently Shlichim in Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Westport CT as well.
For more information or to help welcome Dolev please contact:
Liz Baker, Young Emissary Coordinator and Shaliach Supervisor, at lizkbaker58@gmail.com
Welcome Back Dolev!
Past Mimouna Celebrations
A video montage of our Past Young Emissary Mimouna Celebrations.
Tamar Makes Shakshuka!
Making Shakshuka with Tamar Melech (2017-18) and buying ingredients in the Carmel Market.
After Central MA’s Young Emissaries were forced to go home in March 2020, due to the Covid pandemic, Central MA remained connected to some of their former emissaries through “Where Are They Now?” articles written by the young people, videos and Café Israel, a Sunday morning Zoom presentation by emissaries.
