Despite the challenges posed by the war in Gaza and the alarming rise in hate crimes against Jews worldwide, the story of Shiran and Rotem Shamai exemplifies Israeli and Zionist commitment to strengthening ties with Diaspora Jewry.
The couple, both teachers living in northern Israel’s Mitzpe Netofa, flew with their four children to Philadelphia before the outbreak of the war to teach Hebrew as emissaries on behalf of the World Zionist Organization. Since the war began on October 7, 2023, Rotem, who serves as a combat medic, has spent over 200 days in reserve duty on the Lebanese front.
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Shiran and Rotem Shamai with their children in the US
(Photo: World Zionist Organization)
He left his family and the complex mission abroad to join the reserves, while Shiran managed life and their educational mission alone with their four children.
This week as part of the annual conference for educational World Zionist Organization emissaries in the U.S., Rotem surprised Shiran and their children by visiting them, traveling on a special flight from Israel dressed in his IDF uniform. After months apart, the emotional reunion touched everyone present.
For now, Rotem – who lost four comrades in southern Lebanon – plans to stay in the U.S. until their mission ends. The couple is now in the fourth and final year of their posting.
"I attended the emissary conference of the World Zionist Organization with a deep sense of duty, representing both myself and Rotem, knowing he was in Lebanon after his team member was injured,” Shiran shared. “Then, after months of not seeing him, I suddenly saw Rotem running toward me in New Jersey, wearing his IDF uniform.”
“It was an unbelievable moment and everyone around us shared in the emotional reunion. I wish for everyone to return home soon — not just my husband, but also the hostages and all the soldiers — and for a swift recovery for the injured."
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Annual World Zionist Organization emissaries conference
(Photo: World Zionist Organization)
Reflecting on being alone with the children, Shiran said: "Of course, it hasn’t been easy to be alone with my four kid,s aged 9 to 16, but the incredible Jewish community here, along with the educational staff at the Kohelet Yeshiva in Philadelphia, warmly embraced us, creating a sense of family and home away from home.”
“My amazing children understand that we're here on a mission to teach Judaism in the diaspora, just as their father is on an important mission to defend Israel,” she added. “This is the essence of true Israeli spirit – each of us fulfilling our role in our own way to connect us to our homeland and a higher purpose."
The conference was attended by key figures including Immigration and Absorption Minister Ofir Sofer, World Zionist Organization Chair Yaakov Hagoel, Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee Chair and Knesset member Oded Forer, KKL-JNF Chair Ifat Ovadia-Luski and head of the Education Department at the World Zionist Organization, and KKL-JNF Vice Chair Roei Abeksis.
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"The emissary is a living bridge to the State of Israel. The Shamai family's story embodies the spirit of mission and Zionist dedication to strengthening Jewish identity around the world, even in the face of personal and national challenges,” Abeksis concluded.