Who are the Rishonim?
Each year, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, in partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel, welcomes a group of young emissaries from our partnership communities in Israel. Rishonim are talented young adults who are embarking on a gap year between high school graduation and their mandatory IDF or national service. They volunteer throughout our community in schools, synagogues, and JCCs, bringing their spirit, knowledge, and love of Israel to our community. Take advantage of this unique and meaningful opportunity, and make a Rishon part of your Jewish family!
Learn what it’s like to bring a GMW Rishon home to your family in the video below.
We offer two sessions of hosting opportunities: September-January and February-June.
Apply Meet the Rishonim and ShlichimShlicha
Maya Lior, Senior Community Shlicha
Maya was born in Ashkelon and grew up in a small community in the Sharon region of Israel. She volunteered with youth at risk in the city of Bat Yam before serving in the Israeli Air Force as the commander of an air control course and a trainer at the Air Force Officers’ School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s in integrative therapy. Maya, her husband, Ilya, and her daughter are looking forward to connecting with the Greater MetroWest community!
Rishonim 22
Nofar Gabay lives in Haifa and has two older sisters. Her high school majors are Physics and Sociology-Psychology. Nofar has been a member of the Israeli Scouts for the past nine years. She enjoys baking, dancing, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.
Ayelet Gerasy lives in Alon Shvut and has been an active member of the B’nei Akiva youth movement for eight years. She has volunteered for two years at Camp Amitai, a camp founded in memory of a community member, which serves children and adults with special needs. Additionally, Ayelet volunteers in a food department supporting families with limited resources, or those with a parent serving in the IDF. Her major studies at school include history, literature, agriculture, and the Science of the Land of Israel. In her free time, Ayelet enjoys dancing, attending theater, and spending time with her family and friends.
Kim Manuhin lives in Be’er Ya’akov, in the center of Israel, and has one older brother. She is majoring in Biology and Agriculture in high school. Kim has been a member of the Israeli Scouts and participated in an extended expedition to summer camps in the United States. She loves drawing, cooking, traveling around the world, and spending time with her friends and family.
Agam Tarakai lives in Ofakim and attended Amal Amirim, where she majored in Electronics and Physics. She has been a member of the “Hosen Ofakim” youth movement since 8th grade and was also part of the “Midor-Ledor” youth movement throughout middle school. Agam loves playing and making music, shopping with her best friends, and being surrounded by the people she loves.
Dvir Weis lives in Ra’anana and has been an active member of the B’nei Akiva youth movement for eight years. He has also volunteered for two years with Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s National Emergency Pre-Hospital Medical and Blood Services Organization. Dvir majored in biology and medical science and enjoys horseback riding, hiking, and traveling in his free time.
Omer Weisbrod 
lives in Ra’anana and has been part of the Krembo Wings youth movement for four years, where he spent two years as an instructor for children with special needs. His majors in high school were Physics and Computer Science. He also participated in the Nachshon leadership program. In his free time, Omer enjoys watching movies, spending time with his friends and family, and traveling.
We are glad you have decided to consider hosting an Israeli Young Emissary in your home. Hosting has proven to be a wonderful experience, benefiting the emissary, the hosts, and the local Jewish community.
Contacts
Maya Lior, Senior Community Shlicha
[email protected]