Stav Ovadia | סתיו עובדיה is the oldest sister in her family in Yavne, Israel. She is one of a select group of emissaries in the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Shlichim program that provides a living connection to Israel by promoting Israeli experiences while speaking authentically about faith and culture. Age 21, she is spending her summer as a counselor at the Levite JCC’s J Camp.
LJCC: What has surprised you most about American Jewish life compared to Jewish life in Israel?
Stav: What surprised me most is how much effort is needed to preserve the Jewish identity here. In Israel, Jewish traditions and holidays are part of everyday life, even many non-Jewish people are familiar with Jewish traditions simply because it is a part of the culture. Maintaining that connection here often requires a much more intentional effort.
You came to here to lead J Camp’s tarbut | culture sessions. What have the campers been learning and experiencing in their first week, and what are you most looking forward to sharing with them?
Since it’s only our first week together, we’ve been introducing Israeli culture, traditions, symbols, and exploring what they mean in everyday life. I’m excited to share more from my own experiences growing up in Israel and working as a youth tour guide. My goal is to help the campers see Israel not just as a place on a map, but as a living society through real stories and personal connections.
What’s one place in Birmingham you really want to visit before your time here is done?
I’d really like to visit the Vulcan statue before I leave. Everyone here seems to talk about it, and since it’s such a well-known symbol of Birmingham, I’d love to see it for myself.
If you could plant one seed — one idea or feeling — in this community before you leave, what would it be?
I hope to leave people with a stronger sense of connection to Israel and to Jewish culture. I also hope to inspire curiosity and encourage people to learn more about the complex reality of life in Israel. Israel is my home, and I came here as a shlicha to share my experiences, build meaningful connections, and help people engage with Israel in a personal and thoughtful way. Even small connections can grow into something meaningful.