Our Israeli emissaries (shlichim) work to create and strengthen relationships between Cincinnati and Israel. They educate both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities about Israel and also advocate for Israel’s right to exist. They engage with our local agencies, congregations, day schools, camps, and the Mayerson JCC to create programs and activities that connect us with Israel.

Community Emissaries

TZACH SHMUELY

Community Shaliach
Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
tshmuely@jfedcin.org | 513-332-3951

 
  • Tzach Shmuely

    Tzach Shmuely, Cincinnati’s newest Shaliach, in partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel, will work within our community to connect Cincinnati to Israel. Tzach has a background in education, with a focus on leadership development. He holds an MA in Education from Haifa University and a BA in Education from Tel-Hai College.

 

 

MAIA MORAG

Israel Representative
Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
Maia.Morag@jewishfederations.org | 972-53-9397186

 
  • Maia Morag

    Maia Morag is our representative in Israel. Maia served as community Shlicha from 2014-2018, the only one Federation had for four years! Her experience as an educator, facilitator, and teacher at the secular yeshiva frames the themes of Pluralism and Shared Society that overlay our Israel programming and investment. Maia’s patience, humor, and deep understanding of both American and Israeli society will be crucial in navigating Cincinnati’s relationship with Israel in the years to come.

Friends from Israel (Chaverim M'Israel) 

 

Each September we welcome two new Friends from Israel, who live in our community for a full year of service. The Friends from Israel / Chaverim M’Israel program, brings two post-high school teenagers from our partnership city, Netanya, to Cincinnati to share themselves, and what they know about Israeli life, with people across the Cincinnati area. Each year, the two chaverim meet about 5,000 kids, teens, and families. They teach in both Jewish and non-Jewish schools and organizations across Greater Cincinnati. In the summer, they are counselors at Camp Livingston. This program is a component of the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership2Gether (P2G) program.

 

Contact Martha Brand Dave at mdave@jfedcin.org or 513-644-0708 to schedule a visit from the Chaverim.

 

 

  • Ron Zolotareov

    Ron lives with his parents and two siblings in Netanya. He studied English diplomacy and computer science in high school and went on delegations all over the world. He was a Madrich in his youth movement, teaching about collaboration, farming, and environmental issues. Ron is excited to bring his Israeli point of view to our Jewish community and looks forward to meeting students.

  • Naama Sagi

    Naama is from Haifa and the oldest sister to three younger siblings. She majored in software engineering and chemistry in high school. In her free time, Naama loves to read, enjoys sports, and has been playing the piano since childhood. She volunteers with Krembo Wings, a youth movement for kids with and without special needs. Naama is excited about meeting students and teaching them.

Israel Fellows to Hillel

 

This program is a partnership between the Jewish Agency for Israel and Hillel International. It places outstanding young Israelis on key college campuses for a two-year period of educational service, in order to create an ongoing Israel presence for Jewish students and the broader community. Campus Israel Fellows partner with student organizations, campus study abroad offices, Jewish and Israel studies departments, local Jewish federations, Israeli consulates, and Jewish Community Centers.

 

They also follow through with Taglit-Birthright trip alumni via one-on-one meetings and special programs and events to keep them active and encourage them to continue their Jewish journeys while in college.

 

Campus Israel Fellows serve as Israel's unofficial peer ambassadors on campus and in the local community, providing opportunities for students to discuss and experience every aspect of Israeli life, bridging the gap between Israel fact and fiction, and inspiring students to forge enduring commitments to Israel. In many instances, the Campus Israel Fellow is the first Israeli college students and professors have ever met!