Israeli Shlicha Letter to the Communities
October 19, 2007
Dear community members of Alton , Belleville, Benton, Carbondale and Paducah!
Shalom!
My name is Revital Yona, I'm the new Israel Emissary (shlicha) to the Jewish Federation of Southern Illinois, Southeastern Missouri and Western Kentucky. This is a short letter to greet you all and to introduce myself.
I arrived in the US (for the first time in my life) last month and just moved to Carbondale (where I'm going to live this year) about three weeks ago. I totally fell in love with the place; the rich nature all around, with the beautiful lakes, trees and hilly roads is breath taking and I couldn't have wished myself a better place to live in this year.
I have had the chance to meet some of you in person and I'm excited at the prospect of meeting more of you and spending more time with you. I have many dreams and high hopes for this year, many ideas and plans I would like to pursue. I hope and believe that this year will have everything it takes to make these dreams and plans come true.
About myself:
I was born in the Northern Negev of Israel in a small community called Mabuim (Mabu’im), not far from Be'er Sheva (it is so small that almost no one in Israel has even heard of it, but surprisingly enough, you can find it on mapquest.com). Growing up in a dry desert land that through the wits and efforts of our people has turned into a green, fertile and blooming oasis with a big variety of crops, trees and flowers all around has instilled in me a deep sense of pride in Israel, in who we are as a people and in what we are capable of achieving even (and especially) when the odds are against us. Mabu’im and the surrounding areas are by no means an exception to the rule; in Israel they are the rule.
Like most Israelis, after graduating from high-school I served in the army. I did it for two years during which I worked for the Intelligence Force. This was a most meaningful and defining time in my life during which I learnt to give for the greater good rather than pursue my own interests. Naturally, some of the friends I made during that time are still among my best friends today.
I've always wanted to be a Jewish Agency shlicha and to serve as an ambassador on behalf of the Jewish people of Israel to the Jewish people living abroad. To me the relationship between the different parts of our people is of utmost importance and trying to bring them closer together is a mission that I'm excited to be a part of.
Coming to this beautiful part of the US from Tel Aviv (where I lived just before coming here) to fulfill this dream is a big step for me, and I'm looking forward to making the best of this opportunity. There couldn't have been a better time for this other than this year, when Israel is turning 60!
In order to make things work as I hope they would, one of the first things I wish to do is to assemble a complete list of e-mail addresses of all the people in the different communities of this federation, so that I would be able to send out information about events, suggest ideas for activities and get in touch with the members of the different communities quickly and easily. If you haven't received this letter by email, I would be grateful if you could kindly send me your email address so that I would be able to add you to my mailing list.
I'd be happy to tell you more about myself and about the beautiful country from which I come in future email letters and whenever I get the chance to see you.
My contact information is:
revitalsimokyfed@gmail.com
cell: 314-956-9247
I will be happy to hear from you and to spend time with you. Please feel free to call me or write to me anytime – this is what I'm here for!
Looking forward to getting to know you all,
Yours,
Revital
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Revital Yona
Israel Emissary to the Jewish federation of Southern Illinois, Southeastern Missouri and Western Kentucky
314-956-9247
revitalsimokyfed@gmail.com