Shaliach Program

The Shaliach Program

Building living bridges to Israel

The State of Israel was created 75 years ago as the Jewish homeland, out of the ashes of World War II and the Holocaust; the realization of our 2000-year-old dream while in exile. Since then, Jewish communities living in peril have found a new home and freedom in Israel.

Simultaneously, Jews in the United States became more distanced from Israel with the passing of time, and now face a new threat - a steep rise in antisemitism.

Against this backdrop, a select group of outstanding Shlichim, Hebrew for Emissaries, are selected and trained by the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI). These role models are placed in schools, synagogues, JCCs, camps, universities, youth movements and Federations all over the globe where each can provide a living connection to Israel by promoting Israeli experiences, facilitating Jewish social activism and speaking authentically about faith and culture in the Jewish and general community.

A Shaliach in Indianapolis has worked with:

• Families with young children

• Children, all ages through high school

• Hillels and students on campus

• Adults of all ages

• Members of the Jewish and non-Jewish community

A Shaliach builds connections through:

• Community-wide programming around Israeli and Jewish holidays.

• Collaboration with the Jewish Community Relations Council to focus on antisemitism and promote a positive image of Israel and its people.

• The support of programs and opportunities to connect us to our Partnership2Gether area in the Western Galilee.

Each Shaliach works to enhance our connection to Israel through their person-to-person engagement. They bring "Eretz Yisroel," the Land of Israel, to so many people who never may be able to travel overseas. The personal interactions and time spent with the community leaves lasting memories of our connection to each other as “one people, Am Yisrael.”