By Maor Edri
Gev. Miller, I told you that it's gonna take 5 minutes… I'm sorry…
Teachers, students, friends and parents - good morning,
I have to say that I'm really excited,
I guess that for all of you it's a happy day… I could feel the spirit of the end of the year at school... But for me…, I'm not sure if I'm happy… or sad… or both...
It was pretty hard for me to find the right words for this moment... But in the end, I decided that I'll write just what I feel.. With all the grammer mistakes that I have…
I came here 10 months ago... and it still looks like a dream…
I get this present from god, to be a young emissary here in this amazing Jewish community.. And sadly, this dream is almost over..
before I came here My mom told me that I'll be where I need to be! And it's not a mistake that I chosen to be young emissary…, she was right.
This is the best thing that I ever did in my life! the best decision that I ever took!
I can't even explain, even in Hebrew, how perfect it was… to work here at MJDS with the wonderful staff and your amazing kids.. to live here at this Jewish community with great host families… to play basketball at the JCC… to drive on 'Lake drive' and '43 south, to clean the snow from the car in the morning, to eat Ice-cream at capp's.. Everyday actually.., everything…
There is a nice phrase that says "when people ask you how are you and you say 'bad' god hears it and think 'this is bad?! I'll show you what bad is!' but if you say 'good' god think 'this is good? I'll show you what good is!'…
And that's exactly how I felt…
During this year I learned a lot… about living out of home, about Jewish community out of Israel, about Israel, about US, My English got a lot better… but mostly… about myself..
And you thought me all that!
I'm really a new person.. The same Maor... but a lot different..
I hope that you learned from me too..
I taught you during the year all different kind of things about Israel and Judaism:
About the Geography, the cities, the Israeli culture, Israeli songs, about being Jews, the Hebrewman…
I hope you gonna remember that… I don't know if you will…
Its depend how good I was as a teacher..
But, I want you remember only one thing… the most important for me..
That there is a guy in Israel, his name is Maor, he was a shinshin here, he likes basketball and guitar… and the most important… He loves you and misses you a lot!
Because the most important thing is the personal connection that we built together..
Few weeks ago I asked the kids what was the best activity that I did? What did they like the most…
And most of them said "the lunches" or "just to have fun together"…
It means, first, that maybe I'm not the best teacher.. Maybe.. But second, is that the most important thing is the personal connection…
You know, when I was in Israel during February in a vacation, I missed Milwaukee.. And I missed you! All of you!
And other people couldn't understand it… but, I have my own life here.. And actually - My second home!
You all let me fill at home, with support and delicious dinners, and even just a nice word when I see you at the J... It makes the different…
The personal connection…
I don't know if I was a good shinshin… and actually I think that we still can't judge it…
Because now, the second part of my shlichut (my service) starts... When we start together to built the connection…
I don't stop to be an emissary when I go back to IL, I stop to be an emissary when I stop doing things!
I know that all the shinshins probably told you that they will be back… I can tell you that I'll do my best… and everything that I can do to keep this wonderful connection with you! And you need to help me…
Please please please please please… keep in touch… and send me Emails sometimes.. and when you come to Israel, give me a call… I'll wait for you…
I would like to say thank you to some people... (I always wanted to say that)
Actually a lot of people..
*First, the one and only - god, thank you for giving me this amazing opportunity!
*My great partner - Einav Nahum, the best shinshin! Without her I couldn't do all that… she helped me so much when I had hard times and she suffered me every day… thank you!
*My 2 amazing host families! - Thank you for making me feels at home! I had such a great time with you! You are great! Thanks!
*My coordinator Elsie and Rakefet the shlicha - I can't even explain how much I have learned from you! You are such a great people to work with.. And to drink coffee every Wednesday… you were more then work mates, you were family…
*All the MJDS staff - you were so wonderful! It was the best place to work thanks to you!, you gave me support and helped me with everything! Your loveliness was something special… I proud to be part of MJDS staff!
To Gev. Miller, that welcomed me to her office every time and make me to feel comfortable and welcomed at school, thank you!
To all the Hebrew and Jewish studies teachers - that gave me classes for activities and were so helpful! I appreciate it… thank you!
And especially for my supervisor - Sarah Menash…
Sara, thank you for being such a great person! Also when I was such a hard man to work with! For all your support and Love that you gave me... thank you…
*The parents - For all your great and tasty dinners and warm hospitalities…
Also for your nice smile in the morning and your good word after school… It made my living here different and special… thank you so much…
The students - you know already how much I love you… but I'll tell you again…
I LOVE YOU! You are my students, my friends, and my family…
Each one of you is so special! You made my shlichut to be such an amazing thing! And all the other shinshinim in the US know that the kids at MJDS are the best in the world!
*And for all the amazing people here at the Jewish community -
Before I came here, chen, a shinshin from 3 years ago told me something that I didn't understand.. And now I totally understand…
She told me that she hopes that I'll be a shinshin, but especially in Milwaukee…
Now I know why..
And no, I'm not talking about the weather…!
The community here is really special..
The people are so nice and warm; it's like a small kibbutz…
And I proud to be part of that!
I'll never forget you…
I'm going to miss you so bad… so please... Please… keep in touch! Call me! Send me Emails! Come to visit me in Israel! I'll wait for you!
And with god's help - I'll come to visit!
Before I say Shabbat shalom,
I made something for school… something from my heart..
Thanks again,
Shabbat shalom