JEWISHcolorado announced that it has identified its next Senior Israeli Community Emissary or Shaliach, Yoav Maoz. Maoz will take over the role next summer from current Shlicha Nelly Ben Tal who will have been working in Colorado for three years.
Maoz is currently CEO of a national nonprofit in Israel called Friends of Atidim. Atidim is a national program, developing human resources and working on closing the socioeconomic gaps crippling Israel’s periphery. Throughout his career, he has worked in multiple programs developing leadership and youth in Israel. Maoz also has served for 8 years in the IDF as part of the Sayeret Matkal unit and achieved a rank of Major. More than 20 years ago, he served as a Shaliach in Cape Town, South Africa. Post October 7, he supported families of Israeli hostages during the Iron Swords War as part of the Hostages Intelligence Support Unit. He is raising four sons with his wife Maayan in Kibbutz Ginegar Emek Israel. Maoz holds a Master’s Degree in educational leadership from Tel Aviv University, and a Bachelor’s of Education Degree from the Kibbutzim College of Education, as well as a Teaching Certificate earned with Honors in History and the Bible.
“Through the Israeli emissaries program at JEWISHcolorado, these individuals and their families who live in our community year-round, we build a “living bridge”—a solid, ongoing foundation of understanding and support that goes in two directions—from Israel to Colorado and from Colorado to Israel,” said Dr. Julie Lieber, Chief Jewish Life and Engagement Officer at JEWISHcolorado.
Said Yoav, “Exactly 20 years ago, when I was still single, I went on my first young shlichut with the Jewish Agency to Cape Town, South Africa. That experience was so meaningful that even back then, I knew the day would come when—after building a family, I would go on another Shlichut together with them. I am incredibly excited to arrive with my family and to serve as the Israeli Shaliach for the Colorado community.”
JEWISHcolorado and other Jewish organizations have had Shlichim on staff since the 1980s. Shlichim are chosen with the help of a group of lay leaders from the local Jewish community, led by Search Committee Chair Sheryl Feiler, who take part in virtual and in-person interviews. All Israeli emissaries—adult Shlichim and teenage Shinshinim—are part of a larger program run by the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI).
“The Colorado Jewish community proudly welcomes our Israeli emissaries, whose voices, experiences, and partnership help bring Israel closer to home,” said President & CEO Renée Rockford. “We look forward to the meaningful relationships, learning, and collaboration that Yoav and his family will inspire, and we cherish the constant reminder that Am Yisrael truly is one people, across all borders.”