Current Events, Cultural Arts & Programs
Learning and being informed about the Jewish state is an important value of the Ohr Kodesh community.
Israel programming at OKC ranges from current events to the political, cultural and social aspects of Israel.
Check out current programs. For more information about Israel programming and to get involved, contact Shaliach@ohrkodesh.org.
Shaliach and Shinshin at OKC 2025/2026
OKC welcomes three young Israelis to our community to share their knowledge and love of Israel with us.
Shaliach (שליח) means “messenger” or “emissary.” After completing their military service, shlichim serve for two to three years at various Jewish institutions, including synagogues, universities, youth movements, community centers, and Federations all over the world. Shlichim educate their communities about Israel and Israeli culture by teaching Jewish heritage and speaking about their Jewish and national identity.
Ori Edvi, Shaliach (Israeli Emissary)
Ori is from Hameyasdim, Kinneret Moshava, Israel. She served three years in the Israeli Intelligence Corps as a Staff Sergeant before working as a teaching assistant in Moshav Netur. Ori enjoys baking, photography, and scuba diving, and she brings warmth, optimism, and creativity to her work. She's excited to share the spirit of Israel with the whole OKC community!
Ori will be our Shaliach from Fall 2025 through Spring 2027. She is looking forward to connecting with you. Please email her at Shaliach@ohrkodesh.org.
ShinShin (ש”ש) is the Hebrew acronym for Shenat Sherut (שנת שירות), meaning Year of Service. Shinshinim are volunteers. They defer their compulsory army service to volunteer for a year in Jewish communities around the world. Yotam Ofek and Omer Avigdori will be our ShinShinim from Fall 2025 through Spring 2026.
Yotam Ofek, Shinshin
Yotam Ofek is from a small community in the Misgav municipality in the northern Galilee. He is the eldest of four brothers. He has been a counselor for three years, and he studied theater and chemistry in high school. Yotam is also a swimmer.
Yotam is looking forward to an exciting year at OKC.
Omer Avigdori, Shinshin
Omer Avigdori is from Hod HaSharon. In high school, he studied cinema and biology. In his spare time, he loves watching movies and soccer, and hanging out with his friends
Omer is so excited to start his Shinshin year and can't wait to meet everyone.
Kesher: Nir Oz
Ohr Kodesh is proud to announce a new initiative called Kesher: Nir Oz.
Kesher: Nir Oz is a project of Ohr Kodesh, Beth El, B'nai Israel and MoEd to support Kibbutz Nir Oz, a community that was devastated by the Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. The program will harness the resources of the dedicated and caring congregations of these synagogues to provide tangible support to this devastated Israeli community. More than 10% of Kibbutz Nir Oz’s residents were murdered on October 7—46 killed out of 400 residents—with another 71 residents taken hostage with 31 still in captivity. More than 80% of the kibbutz was destroyed and the remainder is currently uninhabitable. If you would like to learn more, please email Amit Natanzon.
Resources for Talking to Children About What’s Happening in Israel
There are scary stories in the news right now, and children of different ages (and all individual children) benefit from different styles of communication. Here are resources for preparing for tough conversations at home:
How to talk to kids about what is happening in Israel right now
Written by Dr. Sivan Zakai, an educator who focuses on Israel and on child development.
Provides scripts for parents and other adult caregivers to talk about the current unprecedented events with children of different ages.
Terrorism and War: How to Talk to Children
From the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Provides guidelines for healthy conversations about traumatic events.
Israel at War – Fact Sheet
From the Lookstein Center of Bar-Ilan University.
A short summary of key elements of the conflict; consolidated definitions useful for planning talking points.
