Opening your home to visitors from Israel and around the world is more than an act of hospitality—it’s a chance to build bridges of friendship and belonging.
By sharing everyday life, meals and conversation, hosts create meaningful experiences that help guests feel welcomed and connected, while enriching their own lives through cultural exchange and new perspectives.
Hosting offers the joy of sharing traditions, learning from one another, and forming bonds that last well beyond the visit. Every host becomes a vital part of a global community, helping weave together stories, relationships and connections that inspire a deeper sense of purpose and shared identity.
Friendship Begins
Here
Elaine & Michael Serling Israeli Camper Program
The I&O Department needs you this summer! Our Elaine & Michael Serling Israeli Camper Program brings Israeli teens and kids to Tamarack Camps for a life-changing adventure. As a host family, you’ll play a vital role in this unforgettable experience.
Shinshinim
Shinshinim are Israeli high-school graduates who choose to defer their military service for a year of service abroad. These young ambassadors are carefully selected, recruited, trained, and sent to Jewish communities around the world to share their youthful and enthusiastic Israeli spirit.
Each Shinshin lives with a Detroit host family for six months at a time, making a switch at mid-year to a second family.
Visitors/Speakers
Federation often welcomes Israeli visitors and overseas guests who come to share their stories, talents and insights with our community. You can play a meaningful role in these visits by offering warm hospitality, local guidance, transportation or simply a friendly face. Contact Jennifer Levine at jlevine@jewishdetroit.org for more information.
