He had been in town only one week, but Shahar Edry graciously welcomed the opportunity to talk about his vision for the future. “That’s what I’m here for,” he grinned. Though he was barely settled at his desk, he was eager to share his ideas for making the Israel Center a viable, active part of the greater Phoenix community. “My goal,” he said in clear, yet accented, English, “is to bring the local Israelis into the community and to bring the community into a better understanding and appreciation of Israel.” He knows that’s a tall order, but he is young, enthusiastic and hopeful that he really can make a difference here.
Shahar moved to the Phoenix area from Florida to become the director of the Israel Center at the Jewish Community Association. He was born in Erad, near Masada, and spent his teen years in the Ben Shemen Youth Village. He wanted to participate in the communal experience and live at the boarding school, which he regards as a second Israeli home to him.
At 18 Shahar joined the Israeli Defense Forces and served as a fighter in the 50th Battalion of Nahal Brigade, where he gained training as a paramedic. His time in the IDF took him through the Second Intifada in 2000 and Homat Magan (Operation Defensive Shield) in 2002. He believes serving in the military gave him the confidence to overcome obstacles and make a difference in his work. One quote that he learned in the IDF has had a profound effect on him and continues to guide his thinking. Yigal Allon, Israeli general and prime minister, said: “A nation oblivious of its past will suffer from an impoverished present and a questionable future.” With these words in mind, Shahar began planning for his own future.
After his time in the IDF, Shahar studied for a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations. He also started working as a madrich (home parent) for 40 boys back at the Ben Shemen Youth Village where he had spent his own teen years. When the boys turned 18 and left for the IDF, Shahar decided it was time for a change for himself as well. He relocated to Quito, Ecuador, and managed a restaurant. While he could appreciate the vastly different culture and learned another language, the country just didn’t “speak” to him. And about this time he met Kira, his wife-to-be, who had come to Ecuador to help in some of the
villages.
After two years in South America, Shahar divided his time between Florida and Kira’s home state of Indiana until the job opportunity in Phoenix became available. When asked if he had heard about the Arizona heat, Shahar laughed and said, “I lived in the hottest part of Israel – the heat doesn’t scare me.” As a native Israeli, Shahar plans to bring Israeli culture and insights to the community and encourage understanding and connection. He wants to build bridges between the local Jewish and Israeli communities, thereby strengthening both. One of his ideas is to have a handful of locals of both American and Israeli descent get together regularly. “By bringing together just a few people at a time, you really get to know and understand more about the individual customs and concerns. And of course we’ll have food, because there’s no other way for Jews to meet!” He will also create programs that enable the Phoenix area to work more closely with its sister Israeli communities of Kiryat Malachi and Hof Ashkelon.
Shahar would like to create a memorial wall for fallen Israeli soldiers at the JCC. “So many people here know individuals who have given their lives for the security and future of Israel. I think it’s a fitting tribute.” The wall would include photos and stories of Israeli soldiers and would also provide a place where families and friends can light memorial candles. In addition to planning programs for the April holidays, Shahar is working on the Taglit-Birthright Israel program, which offers free trips to Israel for qualified young Americans. To make sure that the trip is more than “just” 10 days in Israel. He plans to bring the participants together regularly when they return to reinforce all they saw and learned.
He has hit the ground running.
Israel Center at the Valley of the Sun JCC | 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale | 480-483-7121 ext. 1109 | shahare@vosjcc.org.
