Jewish Community Partners

The Memphis-Israel connection is stronger than ever, thanks to a series of recent visits by – and to – sister city, Shoham.

A delegation from the Memphis Jewish Federation’s Shoham Partnership Committee visited Shoham, a town of 23,000 in central Israel, in February. This trip was a journey of discovery and connection for Memphians. The experience was made more personal, as the Memphis delegation – which included Lee Harkavy, Sarah Siegel, Laura Harkavy, Hila Shimony, Shoham Partnership Chair Keri Unowsky and Federation Executive Vice President Bluma Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein – stayed with Shoham committee members, immersing themselves in the daily life of Israelis and strengthening relationships with their Shoham counterparts.

Their itineraries included a visit to Kedma Youth Village, a meeting with Liat Amar-Aran, Head of Rehabilitation and Development for the Western Negev at the Jewish Agency, and a tour of Wadi Attir, showcasing the innovative work of the Bedouin community. The group also explored the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Innovation Center in Yeruham, originally a development town for Moroccan immigrants, experiencing the Negev’s unique blend of innovation and tradition.

The delegation spent Shabbat with host families and came together for a beautiful Havdalah with Rabbi Rinat Sefania of the Reform Congregation in Shoham. Following Havdalah, Shoham community members shared painful and inspiring experiences about the hostages and the ongoing war.

Visits to the Shachaf Democratic School and Ulpanat Shalhevet, where they met with Israeli students currently twinning with Bornblum Jewish Community School and Margolin Hebrew Academy, and a lecture by Dr. Lior Yohanani of the Israel Democracy Institute, provided insight into Israeli society and current events.

The Memphians also gained a deeper understanding of the critical work of the Jewish Agency for Israel, including rebuilding destroyed southern communities, easing financial burdens with grants from the Victims of Terror Fund, and facilitating Ukrainian, Russian, and Ethiopian Aliyah and Absorption. They also convened for a meeting of the Memphis-Shoham Partnership Steering Committee to review past projects and discuss new ones for the next year.

The Memphians left Shoham with a renewed sense of connection to Israel and a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs facing the community.

Just weeks later, in March, a group of Shoham educators reciprocated the visit, arriving in Memphis to further strengthen the bonds forged earlier in the year. This exchange included delegation members Libat Kaminsky (Education Coordinator for the Memphis-Shoham Partnership), Noa Keren Penhala (Principal of Ulpanat Shalhevet), Elisheva Levy (Teacher at Ulpanat Shalhevet), Ronit Dahan (Teacher at Yahalom School), and Iris Raber Cohen (Teacher at the Shachaf School), who experienced the warmth and hospitality of the Memphis Jewish community.

Their itinerary was carefully designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of Memphis’s history, culture, and Jewish community. Highlights included a poignant tour of the National Civil Rights Museum, a visit to Crosstown Concourse, and Kabbalat Shabbat services at Bornblum and Margolin, Baron Hirsch and Temple Israel.

The twinning program between the Memphis and Shoham schools was a central focus, as Elisheva and Noa taught classes at Margolin, and Iris and Ronit visited Bornblum, reinforcing the existing connections between the schools. Middle school students defined their three most important values with Morah Ronit and Morah Almalem (they chose love, unity, and understanding). The same debate will take place in the twin class at Yahalom School in Shoham. Morah Ronit and Morah Almalem also baked a cake with the two twin classes, utilizing a recipe chosen from the farmers of the Gaza Envelope.

“It was such a joy to host Iris and Ronit at Bornblum, and to see that our twinning program is stronger than ever,” said Michal Almalem, Jewish Studies Principal at Bornblum Jewish Community School. “From exploring the Haggadah to baking Israeli recipes, our students engaged in hands-on, values-driven learning with our Israeli friends that will reinforce their connection to Israel for years to come.”

At Margolin, Elisheva and Noa spoke to several grade classes. They focused on sharing the stories, language and history of Shoham and Israel with students. Teachers at Margolin say that students left feeling more connected to the land and to the people of Israel.

“We were so excited to welcome Elisheva and Noa to our school!” said Anat Kampf, Middle School Principal at Margolin Hebrew Academy. “So many of our students commented how meaningful their visit was and how much they learned from them. It is very different for our students to hear firsthand reports from educators on the ground about the situation in Israel. Our teachers very much enjoyed observing Noa and Elisheva teach, and they commented how impressive, creative and engaging they were. This visit helped build an even stronger bond between our two cities, and we are looking forward to hosting them again in the near future.”

The Shoham educators also experienced the heart of Memphis through visits to Beale Street, the MJCC, the Temple Israel Purim Carnival, and the Memphis Jewish Home and Rehab. A particularly moving conversation with River City BBG students about their experiences following October 7 deepened the understanding of the challenges faced by American Jewish youth. The week culminated in collaborative lesson planning, faculty meetings, a screening of “October 8,” and heartfelt farewells.

The impact of the Memphis visit on the Shoham educators was profound. Elisheva Levy shared, “This journey was about more than building relationships—it was about strengthening them. I leave with a deeper understanding of Jewish life in Memphis and will carry these experiences with me always.”

Libat Kaminsky emphasized the broader impact, stating, “This was a meaningful delegation that showcased the deep connections built over the years between teachers in Shoham and Memphis. The Jewish community embraced us warmly, and we engaged in profound conversations with community members and youth about Jewish identity, Israel, and the challenges of antisemitism. Building relationships and investing in education are the true bridges between Israel and the Diaspora.”

“What a wonderful week and visit,” said Lee Harkavy. “It is so nice to continue to grow our mishpacha.”

Even Shoham’s city leadership expressed their gratitude for the visit.

“This delegation represents a significant step in deepening the ties between our communities, providing a meaningful opportunity for personal encounters with students and educators in Memphis, and strengthening the shared Jewish identity between Israel and the Diaspora,” said Dafna Rabinowitch, Mayor of Shoham.