Hands-on Workshops from Federation’s Community Shlichim

Growing up as a small child, Avi Eisen was privileged to have had many meaningful conversations with his great grandmother (Bubbe) who was a Holocaust survivor. Later, during his training and service as a naval officer and ship captain, he noticed many similarities between Bubbe’s stories and his navy experience. Eventually, those stories – became life lessons. Join Avi for an hour of funny and exciting stories that will have you all wishing you knew his Bubbe.
Get to know Avi

Max participants: 60
Age group: 9^th grade and up
Length: 60 – 90 min

Art is influenced by the artists surroundings. What motivated the mediums and perspectives of Israeli artists Yaacov Agam and Chanoch Piven? Abraham Belilty will help you explore identity and perspective changing through one of two possible hands-on art experiences. In this session you will create your own work of art inspired by the chosen artist. No art skills necessary!

Piven: What are we made from? A crafty workshop investigating identity through portrait collage making inspired by Israeli artist Hanoch Piven.
Agam: Create three original pieces of art to take home with you, playing with colors and shapes, as well as a variety of materials.
Get to know Abraham

Max participants: 60 – 100
Age group: All ages
Length: 60 – 90 min

Sure, you might be familiar with Shtisel and Fouda, but these are the tip of a vibrant Israeli film and media industry. Film offers unique insights into a society. Join Snir Holtzman, an Israeli film enthusiast, who will walk you through film clips that shed light on how Israelis interact, feel, challenge, and heal. This session includes watching several Israeli film clips with English subtitles.
Get to know Snir

Max participants: 60
Age group: Teens and up
Length: 90 min

What kind of honey was the Bible referring to when it called Israel the land of milk and honey? How many types of honey are harvested in the small country of Israel? Join Uriel Lin, a third-generation Israeli farmer, to learn about the history of Israeli agriculture through the story of the Lin family and their beekeeping farm. The session includes honey tasting from different Israeli habitats.
Get to know Uriel

Max participants: 80
Age group: All ages
Length: 90 min

In many Jewish Arab traditions, a Henna ceremony is celebrated for the bride before her wedding, as a rite of passage to married life. For generations, Yemenite women have found their voice through music, art, food, and parenthood. They created a tradition in a patriarchal society where they were not expected to have a voice. This tradition was brought to Israel by Yemeni Jews where it became more mainstream and an example of an eastern kind of feminism. In this Henna-like program, Avia Halevi, a Yemenite descendant, will lead you through the different aspects of this Jewish Yemenite celebration, through feminine poetry, music, stories, and yummy foods.
Get to know Avia

Max participants: 50
Age group: 9^th grade and up
Length: 75 min

Iraq isn’t a place you might associate with a thriving Jewish community anymore, but at one time it was bustling with Jewish life. Dean Bagdadi and Yarden Shiri will share their heritage and family stories as you learn about the rich story of the Iraqi Jewish community. This program will also include a presentation of making Baharat, a unique Iraqi spice bland.
Get to know Dean and Yarden

Max participants: 50
Age group: Adults
Length: 90 min

There is virtually no other place with the diversity of cultures, color, scenery, and history like Israel. Desert and snow, beaches and forests, ancient history and the latest trends, all within less than an hour’s drive from… anywhere. Avi Eisen feels like he only truly discovered Israel through his feet, hiking the Israel trail with his wife, dog, and friends. Hear stories about Avi’s experiences on and off the Israel trail, all while drinking delicious campfire coffee and special tea!
Get to know Avi

Max participants: 60
Age group: 8^th grade and up
Length: 60 min

Unpacking Israel for adults is hard. Unpacking Israel for teens is nearly impossible, but you don’t have to do it alone. Teens are the most exposed to misinformation, echo chambers and, in general, more vulnerable to negative news, videos, and pictures. They also have very little historical, personal, and emotional context to process the complexity of the conflict. During the session, Dean Bagdadi will break down key points of Jewish history and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and what led us to this point in time – starting October 7^th – while creating a safe space to ask questions, raise concerns, and react to what is currently happening in Israel.
Get to know Dean

Max participants: 60
Age group: 7^th grade and up
Length: 60 – 90 min