Faculty and staff of the Beren-Amiel and Straus-Amiel emissary training programs have a tradition of escorting graduate families to the airport as they embark upon their shlichut and presenting them with Israeli flags – a symbol of the reason for their trip. 

Unfortunately, when Nini and Matan Milner (pictured left and center) left for Manchester a few weeks before Rosh Hashana, logistics brought about a situation in which they left without being met at the airport. In order to “fix” the situation, the programs’ Educational Director, Rabbi Benjy Myers (right) brought flags with him when he traveled to England to serve as a congregational chazan over the High Holidays – and made a special visit to the couple’s new home to deliver the flags in person. 

Indeed, one of the things that make the OTS emissary-training programs so unique is that even when our graduates arrive in the field they are never on their own. The ongoing connection with the programs’ faculty and staff, whether in person or via emails, phone, or WhatsApp, enables the shlichim to ask questions, get ideas from peers and feel supported, which in turn helps them make an even greater impact on their respective communities around the world.