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
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MORIA DAFNI Community Shlicha |
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Moria
Moria Dafni is Cincinnati's Community Shlicha, an Israeli educator with 20 years' experience. Raised on a kibbutz, she counseled as a teenager and served in the IDF. She directed programs in 60 Jerusalem schools. Moria, husband Asaf, and family arrived August 2026 to share an Israel of responsibility, resilience, education, and mutual support.
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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 Fall, 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 cities in Israel to Cincinnati to share their experiences and knowledge about Israeli life with people across the Cincinnati area. Each year, the two chaverim or chaverot meet thousands of 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 us at 513-985-1500 to schedule a visit from this year's Chaverot.
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Meet Hadar
Shalom! My name is Hadar. I grew up in Netanya, and a really big part of my life is Krembo Wings, which is a youth movement for kids with and without special needs. I studied social sciences and medicine in high school, and in my free time, I love riding horses and listening to music. I’m the middle child in my family. I’m really excited for everything ahead this year!
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Meet Shira
Hi everyone! I’m Shira from Netanya. I’ve spent the last nine years in the Tzofim (The Israeli Scouts) working as a counselor and unit head. I’m a total bookworm and have been reviewing books for the past three years. You can usually find me hanging out with my younger brother and our dog. In high school, I focused on theater, diplomacy, and biology. I am ready to dive into this year!
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!