Reuniting 40 Years Later: A Young Judaea Shlichim Reunion
A Conversation with Amiram Mainz
Forty years after arriving in the United States as Young Judaea’s Central Shaliach, Amiram Mainz brought together the group of Israeli shlichim who served alongside him from 1986 to 1989.
Nearly 20 former shlichim gathered in Israel to reconnect, share memories and reflect on an experience that shaped their lives and strengthened the relationship between Israeli and American Jews.
What was your role with Young Judaea?
I became the Central Shaliach in 1986 and moved to New York with my wife and our four children. At the time, our delegation included 13 shlichim and shlichot, most of whom came with their families. They were based throughout the United States, from New York and Washington, D.C., to Florida, Texas, Michigan and California.
I worked with Young Judaea’s national professional staff, the National Mazkirut and Hadassah, which was Young Judaea’s sponsor at the time. I also traveled frequently to meet with regional directors, shlichim and camp leadership around the country.
It was never only my experience. It was something my wife and our entire family took part in together.
Why did you decide to organize a reunion now?
It had been exactly 40 years since we began our shlichut, and I had been thinking about bringing everyone together for several years.
As you get older, you realize that you should not wait. There were some people I had not spoken with in 30 or 35 years. In the end, around 17 or 18 people attended, which was about 80 to 85 percent of the group. Everyone arrived with a smile on their face. It was incredible.
What did you do during the reunion?
We wanted it to include more than simply mingling, although reconnecting was very important.
We sang Israeli songs, shared stories from our shlichut and heard updates about Young Judaea and the Israeli Scouts today. Everyone sent photographs from their years in the United States, and we created a presentation filled with memories from 35 and 40 years ago.
We spent about four hours together, and it was wonderful.
What memories from Young Judaea have stayed with you most?
Tel Yehudah made the strongest impression on me. It offered an intensive experience centered on Jewish and Zionist education in a way that was difficult to recreate through programs meeting only occasionally during the year.
At the time, Young Judaea had thousands of chanichim who could grow through local clubs, regional programs, camps, Israel experiences and Year Course. It created a path that helped young people deepen their connection to Jewish history, Zionism and Israel.
Through our work, we also learned to understand the American Jewish community much better. We learned how to work together and speak to one another at eye level.
What did your shlichut mean to you personally?
It was one of the most fascinating and challenging experiences of my life.
I traveled constantly and was often away from home, but it was for a good cause. I believe that our delegation helped strengthen the connection between American Jewish youth, Zionism and Israel.
Young Judaea was a huge and important part of my life. I still have friends in the United States from that period, and I do not regret the experience for even one minute. I have only good memories.
Do you plan to stay connected after the reunion?
We now have a WhatsApp group, and I hope we will continue using it to share memories and stay in touch.
The reunion was a dream I had carried for several years. Now that we have found one another again, I hope we can keep those relationships alive.
