“My Israeli Story”, a project by the Israel & Overseas Center at JEWISHcolorado, offers our community a chance to connect with and learn about the diverse stories of our emissaries. Each article will spotlight a different shinshin and their family’s unique journey.
Hey everyone! My name is Maayan Hayoun-Rozenfeld, and I’m one of this year’s Shinshinim here in Colorado. Like every Israeli, my family has a very unique story of immigration, pioneering, and building a life in Israel—and I’m very happy to share it with you.
My mom’s parents, Ivon and Simon Hayoun, were both born in the town of Nabeul, Tunisia. My grandmother used to iron clothes at my grandfather’s house as a job, and that’s how they met, fell in love, and decided to build a life together. In 1956, they made Aliyah to Israel. When they arrived, my grandmother’s name was changed to Yafin, but everyone still called her Ivon. They began their new life in an immigration camp near Netanya, where they worked picking cotton, and later moved to Lod, in central Israel. That house in Lod is where many of my favorite childhood memories were made—always full of people, laughter, and, of course, the best food in the world!
The Aliya documents of Maayan’s grandparents, Ivon and Simon Hayoun
On my dad’s side, the story is quite different. His family came from Eastern Europe, so while the food might not be as exciting, the stories definitely are. My dad’s grandfather, Abraham Rozenfeld, was born in Ukraine and immigrated to Israel on foot, alone, as a teenager in 1917. Some say he did it to escape being recruited into the Soviet army; others believe it was because of his strong Zionist and socialist values. I think it was probably a mix of both.
Maayan’s grandfather, Abraham Rozenfeld
That side of my family replaced their traditional expressions of Judaism—like daily prayer or Torah study—with Zionist values of agriculture, hard work, and building the land. They still celebrated Jewish traditions like bar mitzvahs and weddings, but their Jewishness was expressed through their deep love for Israel and pride in being part of its founding generation.
Just like my roots are a mix of cultures, I grew up in a place that reflects that same diversity—Mitzpe Ramon, in the Negev desert. It’s a small town surrounded by incredible desert landscapes, and home to both very religious and very secular families, from many different backgrounds. Later in life, my dad moved to Midreshet Ben-Gurion in Ramat HaNegev, where I spent time with kids from the nearby kibbutzim. Even though it could sometimes be confusing to grow up between two homes, I’m grateful I grew up in the Negev. I love that just a few steps from my house, I could find myself in the middle of nowhere. I love the quiet, the sense of community, and the beauty of the desert. And of course—the view of Makhtesh Ramon is the best in the world.
For me, the decision to become a Shinshin was natural. Where I grew up, Shinshinim were always part of the community, so it felt like the next step in life. The idea of coming here, to Colorado, came after I visited as part of the ART program from Ramat HaNegev. That experience really opened my mind about my Jewish identity, and when I realized I could come back as a Shinshin, I knew I wanted to.
Now that I’m here, I’m so excited to share my story, learn from this community, and grow together throughout the year.