"The Most Meaningful Experience in My Life!"

A new chapter is beginning for our Maccabi Shlichim – with one journey just getting started and three meaningful ones coming to a close.

Meet Michal Cohen, 23, from Maccabim, Israel - our new Maccabi Shlicha in Austin:

"Maccabi has been a huge part of my life since I was a kid", she said. "I joined Maccabi Tza’ir as a participant in third grade and stayed through high school as a counselor and leader. Over the years, I took part in so many Maccabi experiences - from the Maccabiah opening ceremony in 2017 to BBYO IC in 2020, where I met some of my closest friends".

As a counselor, Michal worked with different age groups and led teams of older counselors. During COVID, when their counselor training was canceled, her team created an adapted training program. Following her military service, she also joined the JCC Maccabi Games team in Fort Lauderdale, helping build the Hang Time area.

Now, she’s bringing that experience to Austin as the city prepares to host the JCC Maccabi Games in the summer of 2027.

"I’m excited about the people I’ll meet, the connections we’ll build, and everything this journey will bring. And of course, I can’t wait for the Games themselves – it’s going to be such a meaningful experience!", Michal concluded.

A Shlichut to Remember

After meaningful journeys of their own, Tal Maymon, former BBYO & Maccabi Shlicha in Washington, D.C., and Ido Mizrahi, former Maccabi Shlicha to BZD in Baltimore, have recently returned home to Israel, while Dean Assef, JCC Maccabi Community Shaliach in Pittsburgh, will wrap up his Shlichut in the coming months. Along the way, all three have shared experiences filled with people, connections, and moments they won’t soon forget.

Looking back, how would you sum up your time as a Shaliach or Shlicha?

"It was one of the most meaningful and special experiences I've ever had", Tal said. "I had the chance to impact hundreds of young people, learn so much about Jewish communities around the world, and bring hundreds of teens from across the globe to Israel".

Ido added: "It was the craziest, most amazing adventure in my life! It had everything - challenging moments, happy ones, emotional ones, sad ones, funny ones, and plenty I never saw coming. Above all, it was an incredible experience I’ll never forget".

For Dean, it was one of the most important periods of his life. "I had the privilege of building a bridge between Maccabi, Israel, and the Pittsburgh community, and of representing the movement while helping create meaningful Israel experiences through sports and community work", he shared.

What’s one moment you’ll never forget?

For Tal, that moment came when Omer Wenkert, whom she had guided in eighth grade, joined the IC Convention after his release from captivity. "Sitting with the Maccabi Tzair delegation and talking about his own Maccabi memories was a very special full-circle moment. He told me that being there and representing Maccabi was his personal victory, in memory of his friend Kim Damti, who was murdered at the Nova festival".

For Ido, it was a message from the mother of a participant in one of her youth programs. “She told me that the program had helped her son reconnect with his Jewish roots and feel proud of them. It was a small moment in two and a half incredible years, but it reminded me exactly why I became a Shlicha – and how much of an impact this work can have".

For Dean, "It is very hard to choose just one. From being responsible for Hang Time during the 2025 JCC Maccabi Campus Games, to bringing Maccabi delegations and programs into the community, and later leading Team Pittsburgh as Head of Delegation at the 2026 Games, there were so many moments that made this experience special".

What will you miss most?

"Waking up every morning to a job I love, knowing I'm bringing people closer together", Tal shared. Ido added: "The people. The friends who became family so far away from home". Dean explained: "I will miss the community the most. They welcomed me with open arms and gave me the space to be myself, bring my ideas to life, and become the best shaliach I could be".

One thing they’re very happy to return to? "Family - and finally being in the same time zone again!".

We wish Tal and Ido lots of success in their next chapter back home, Dean a meaningful final few months in Pittsburgh, and Michal an exciting and meaningful Shlichut ahead!