As Israeli Emissaries, Yarden Neeman (left) and Tzach Schmuely create powerful Israel-Cincinnati connections
Submitted by the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
“There are big differences between Jews in Israel and Jews in Cincinnati, but we’re all one big family in my eyes — the Jewish people.” Yarden Neeman, the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati’s outgoing Senior Israeli Emissary, said these words when he first arrived from Israel with his family August of 2021. Now, at the end of his three-year term in Cincinnati, he finds the idea of one big Jewish family still rings true.
Our senior Israeli emissary, or Shaliach, works to create and strengthen relationships between Cincinnati and Israel. Each comes for a two- or three-year stint to educate both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities about Israel while also advocating for Israel.
Yarden’s Journey: Building Bridges Amidst Challenges
Yarden came to Cincinnati during COVID and had to acclimate to a new job and culture remotely. Along with his wife Liat and young son Yiftach, he welcomed a new baby, Alon, while here. Yarden has earned high praise for the extensive outreach he has done, his ability to remain calm under pressure, and his passion for creating lasting people-to-people connections. Yarden and his family were celebrated at a community-wide get-together on August 1.
As we say a warm l’hitraot — until we see each other again — to Yarden, the Jewish community also welcomes his successor, Tzach Shmuely.
A New Chapter: Welcoming Tzach Shmuely to Cincinnati
Tzach and his wife, Efrat, along with their three children, arrived in Cincinnati just this August. Tzach and his family are from Kibbutz Kfar Hanassi, which is in northern Israel, 21 miles north of the Sea of Galilee and close to the Golan Heights.
When asked what most surprised him about his first two weeks here, Tzach said, “I was very surprised by the deep connection that the Cincinnati community has to Israel, and by the concern for a place that is 12 hours away by plane.”
Like Yarden, Tzach believes in the concept of Cincinnatians and Israelis as one big family. “I believe that the fate of the Jewish people depends on the strength of the bond between Israel and the Diaspora,” he said, “and I hope to strengthen this bond during my mission.”
Expanding Education and Connections
With his extensive experience in education, Tzach will focus on the work — crucial in these post-October 7 times — of expanding educational opportunities around Israel for Cincinnatians beyond what Senior Emissaries have normally done. He has worked for the last 12 years at Galil Elyon pre-military academy, most recently as Vice President. A part of his work has been its leadership program with teenagers from Israel and all over the world.
Previously, he was Director of the Tozeret Haaretz program, a preferred work program for discharged soldiers in the Upper Galilee. He received his B.A. from Tel-Hai College, and his M.A. from Haifa University. Recently, he was part of the Mandel Youth Leadership Program. In addition, when Tzach was in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), his service included the Education Corps and working with teenagers from Be’er Sheva and Dimona.
“Tzach will be doing the crucial work of education, which allows space for connection,” said Danielle V. Minson, CEO of the Jewish Federation, “and we are very pleased to have him come, with all his experience and warmth, during this difficult time.”
Asked what he and his family would like to bring to Cincinnati, Tzach said, “We would like to bring the magic and complexity of being Israeli, and the desire to be part of the Jewish people. And a lot of humor.”
