He’s learning about Rhode Island and teaching us about Israel

Gilor Meshulam“Awesome” is how Gilor Meshulam describes his first weeks in Rhode Island. The Israeli shaliach (emissary) to the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island paid a visit to The Voice office at the end of his second week in Rhode Island, and we had a chance to get to know him better.

We’ve been reading his reports during Operation Protective Edge in the newspaper since July. But now, he’s in Rhode Island, meeting rabbis, educators and other community members and traveling around the area, learning about his home for the next year or two

Gilor served in the Army for 6 1/2 years, including the infantry corps, the Givati Brigade and as an officer. Because everyone serves in the military, he says Israelis feel like all the soldiers are their children. “I would be stopped in the street and get hugged.” He was discharged with the rank of captain.

Gilor is from Herzliya where his parents still live. He has an older sister and brother, three nephews and a niece.

He says he is looking forward to learning about life in Rhode Island. Among the many things he learned during his orientation? “They taught us how to tie a necktie,” he says. And he studied common American English phrases and their meanings to someone accustomed to Israeli directness.

English is no problem for Gilor, although he insists he reads and writes better than he speaks. He’s been studying English in school since first grade.

“I come with a lot of humility,” he says. He looks forward to learning “what it’s like to be Jewish outside of Israel, to really understand the spectrum of Judaism.”

And he looks forward to representing Israel in the community, and the ability to be able to show all sides of Israelis that comes from living in the community. Plans include “Experience Israel” nights scheduled approximately one Tuesday evening each month. The first is scheduled for Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Gilor will offer an Israeli perspective on the holidays of Tishrei, focusing on observances and celebrations.

FRAN OSTENDORF is editor of The Jewish Voice