Yoav Maoz will serve as JEWISHcolorado’s next Senior Israeli Community Emissary after the departure of Nelly Ben Tal this summer. Recently, Maoz visited JEWISHcolorado, and we had a chance to talk with him about the experience and ideas he brings to his new position.
I understand this is not your first experience as a Shaliach. What did you learn about yourself during the first time you served?
Twenty years ago, I was a 26-year-old Shaliach at a reform congregation in Cape Town, South Africa. In Israel, you are a Jew by definition, but in South Africa you need to work for it. Serving in South Africa strengthened my Jewish identity. I fell in love with the music and the community. I loved the singing in Shul and the chance to lead Pesach. My time in Cape Town gave me a very good view of how important it is to have a valuable relationship between Israel and the Jews of the diaspora.
Did you have any volunteer experience before your time in South Africa?
When I was in high school, our class made a field trip to the educational community of Nitzana. I enjoyed it so much that I vowed I would return there as a Shinshin after high school and before my IDF service. At Nitzana, I watched Aryeh “Lova” Eliav lead. He was a pioneer like Ben Gurion, the founder of many communities including the town Arad, and a Knesset member. I learned from him to talk less and do more. He saw the desert as a huge area with lots of space to create communities. His philosophy was to not just talk about being an entrepreneur, but to also actually do the work.
What prompted you to even think about becoming a Shinshin and then also a Shaliach?
I grew up in Kibbutz Ginegar in the northern part of Israel, and I still live there now. It’s mostly an agricultural area where we grow corn, tomatoes, onions, and wheat. My family was always volunteering. Those were the values instilled in us—to give to others was a part of the philosophy of the family.
After Cape Town, you did your IDF service. Talk a bit about the unit you served with.
I spent 10 years doing special intelligence with Sayeret Matkal, one of the elite special reconnaissance units of the IDF. This is the same unit that executed the Entebbe Raid in 1976, rescuing hostages in Uganda after terrorists hijacked an Air France flight. In 1972, Sayeret Matkal stormed a highjacked Belgian airliner at what is now Ben Gurion Airport and rescued 97 passengers. The motto of Sayeret Matkal is “Who dares wins.” To me, that means if you want to achieve something, you need to take a risk. If you never take a risk, you will never achieve.
You took some off during your 10 years in the IDF.
I broke it up into two stints, and in between, I traveled the world. I went to China, Tibet, New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos—just to name a few places.
What did you learn about yourself on this journey?
I love meeting new people. I love being outdoors, enjoying nature and hiking. Going to Papua New Guinea was like taking a class in anthropology. I really enjoy experiencing different cultures—including eating the local food.
Since leaving the IDF, what have you been doing professionally?
I earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. I taught elementary school for a while. I was head of the interns for a local government. I am currently the CEO for a national nonprofit called Friends of Atidim, running about 13 innovative educational programs for students who represent socioeconomic minorities—including Druze, Bedouin, and olim. We give them an education, help prepare them for army service, help transition them out of the army, with the philosophy that an equal education will lead to professional success.
Did October 7th disrupt your professional life?
October 7th changed everything. It changed me and it changed my community. That day, I got a phone call that said, “Grab your uniform and come.” For two years, I supported two hostage families as their intelligence officer—the family of the twins Gali and Ziv Berman who were held hostage for 748 days and the family of Meny Godard who was killed at Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7th and whose body was held in Gaza for more than two years. For a long time after October 7th, I was very sad, but after time, I realized that all of Israeli society became very strong and unified in this crisis.
When you first served as a Shaliach in Cape Town, you were young and single. Now, 20 years later, you have been married to your wife Maayan for 14 years and you have four sons ranging in age from your oldest who recently became a bar mitzvah to your youngest who is 3 ½ years old.
What does your family think about moving to Colorado?
On my second date with my wife, I told her I had two non-negotiable requests if we were going to continue our relationship. I said that if we got married, I would someday like for all of us to go on a shlichut.
And she agreed to that, no questions asked?
Well, I don’t think she thought it would actually happen, but I kept this dream alive for 20 years and now we are fulfilling it.
What was the second request you had of Maayan on that second date?
I learned to ski in Europe and I love it. I told her that every year of our marriage, I would need to have a ski trip with my brothers.
And now you are coming to Colorado where you will find some fine skiing…if it snows next year!
My dear friend in Israel has already bought Epic passes for me and my oldest son. We are ready to ski!
Why do you think you kept the dream of repeating as a Shaliach alive for so long?
I really believe in my heart that if we want Israel to thrive and to be free and strong, we need to have the Jews from around the world with us. I believe I can help make that happen. The second reason I want to do this is to give my family the same amazing experience I had when I lived in Cape Town. I see this as a gift to my family.
Was Colorado your first choice for this shlichut?
The Jewish Agency gave us a choice of Toronto or Colorado. I chose Colorado because I have heard such good things about the community here and their relationship with Israel. There is also the bonus of the Rocky Mountains. When everyone at the Jewish Agency heard I chose Colorado, they said I was a lucky guy because this is such a wonderful place. I have only been visiting for five days and already I see that the people are amazing—so friendly, open, warm, and welcoming.
Some Israelis might see this as a difficult time to go overseas and represent Israel.
I love challenges. I am not afraid of complexities. Israel is my home—not just my house, but my home. I love Israel and my community and the people and the food and the places and the music. Now, I have the opportunity to share all of that with Colorado. Yes, there is turmoil in Israel, but I am bringing the joy from Israel. I will be working person to person, building bridges. I want the people in Colorado to meet the people of Israel—to build trust and to enjoy each other’s company. I am really looking forward to this mission.