It’s summertime and that means hundreds of kids had fun at the various camps of the Jewish Community Center.
In addition to the local camp counselors, two Israeli young women spent their summer at Barney Goodman Camp — working and having a bit of fun as they shared their own culture as schlichim (emissaries). Noam Tzarfaty from Hertzliya and Michal Alhindi from Nes Ziyyona moved at a rapid pace, bringing a bit of the Mideast to the Midwest. Tzarfaty has been to the United States before with her family, but this is Alhindi’s first trip.
Each year, The Jewish Agency for Israel chooses about 1,500 shlichim from more than 10,000 applicants. These shlichim are placed at Jewish organizations around the world to strengthen community members’ Jewish identities and provide a personal connection to Israel through education about the country.
“We both heard about the shlichim program from people we know, and they told us about the amazing experience they had,” the young women said. “We also wanted to do something meaningful and spread the Israeli spirit to people in the states.”
Both women are 20-years-old and have completed their military service. Tzarfaty worked as The J’s camps’ Israeli cultural specialist while Alhindi served as a counselor at Barney Goodman camp.
“With my group of girls, we played Israeli games, Israeli songs and we made friendship bracelets with their name in Hebrew,” Alhindi said. “I also did an Israeli food activity with the kids in the camp and I told them about my army experience.”
Tzarfaty did a variety of activities with the campers she encountered.
“In my groups the kids made the Western Wall and put their wishes in,” she said. “I also made activities about Israeli places, the Eurovision songs, Israeli food — we made chocolate balls — and the Jewish holidays.”
DD Gass, The J’s director of camps, said the shlichim were a fantastic edition to the summer staff.
“They brought many fun activities for the campers, and were a joy to work with this summer,” Gass said. “Each summer we bring two Israeli staff to J Camp, and each summer our campers and staff are enriched by the information they learn and enjoy getting to know more about their life in Israel.”
Tzarfaty and Alhindi enjoyed their summer experience at The J.
“My favorite thing about working with the kids was that I got to share my Israeli experience, and always be there for my girls in the group and make a positive impact on them,” Alhindi said. “I liked it when they asked me questions about Israel and wanted to know more.”
Tzarfaty took great pride in sharing all things Israeli.
“I liked to see how enthusiastic they were when they remember all these things,” she said.
The shlichim stayed with host families in the Jewish community. They got to experience Kansas City at its best, getting the opportunity to attend a Kansas City Royals game and visiting various parts of the city including the Country Club Plaza and downtown. In addition they were treated to a trip to the Lake of the Ozarks.
“We also spent good times with the staff of camp,” they said.
As camp is over and summer winds down, the two women will return to Israel where they will work for a few months, travel abroad and apply for university.