Bringing Israel Home for Real

My job at JCC Chicago affords me the opportunity to visit Israel many times each year, often as the leader of one of our community Israel trips. Trip after trip I observe participants marveling at the warmth and hospitality that is part of Israeli culture. We are invited into people’s homes for Shabbat, enthusiastically welcomed into stores and graciously offered directions and tours. It is one of a long list of reasons why travelers to Israel feel right at home even when we are 7500 miles away.

It’s not unusual at the end of a trip to Israel for someone to say, “I wish I could bottle up the feeling here and bring it home.” I know exactly what they mean, and, this summer JCC Chicago has an opportunity to do just that.

We are looking for families near Northbrook or on the North Side of Chicago to open their homes and hearts this summer by hosting Israeli camp staff.

Being a JCC host family is a rewarding and life-changing experience for the entire family.

All our host families and Israeli camp staff have something in common – the desire to share new ideas and experiences. Our Israeli staff are eager to experience our culture as Americans and Jews while host families develop a deeper connection to Israel and, maybe, even learn a little Hebrew without ever leaving home. Summer after summer, hosts tell me that their Israeli guest has become like a member of the family, and our Israeli camp staff feel that home hospitality was a highlight of working at camp.

Every hosting arrangement is different, but all host families are responsible for providing a separate bedroom, daily meals with the family, some local transportation and open communication, lots of encouragement and advice. JCC Chicago provides full medical and accident insurance and staff provide their own spending money for expenses incurred outside of the home.

To learn more about this mutually beneficial opportunity, contact Emily Gottlieb, Regional Vice President, at 847.763.3543 or egottlieb@jccchicago.org.