NIF In the News 

St. Louis Then… Israel Now

Jewish in St. Louis, February 25, 2008

Leah Hakimian

Son of Jean and Stanley Estrin

"Family, community, education, Israel, the Hebrew language, and chesed are all important values to us," Jean and Stanley Estrin emphasize. For his master's thesis, Stanley worked on a joint project at Ben Gurion University and Soroka Medical Center in Beer Sheva. Prior to receiving her MSW degree from Washington University, Jean volunteered as a social worker and community organizer in 1976 in Yerucham, a development town south of Beer Sheva. Stanley and Jean met in 1980 as charter members of the St. Louis JCCA's Hebrew Speaking Club and were married in 1982. They are members of Traditional Congregation and active in Chesed Committee activities on behalf of Ethiopian students in Israel.

They raised their son, Daniel, and their two daughters, Miriam and Elana, with these same values. The three Estrin children all attended the Solomon Schechter Day School.  Daniel was in the 6th grade graduating class of 1996.  "I loved my Hebrew studies at Schechter," recalls Daniel.  "And I had a great Hebrew teacher – Morah Chaya (Chaya Toren).

It was my dad's dream to take our family to Israel, and we took that trip in the summer of 1998.  It was great!"

Daniel continued his Hebrew studies at Ladue High School and spent a summer at OSRUI (Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute sponsored by the Union for Reform Judaism).  "I was influenced by school, by camp, and by the Israeli records my parents used to play at home."

"I grew up with music in our house," says Daniel, "and in 4th grade I was a cast member at The Muny. Still today, I enjoy playing cello and I now play with a Jerusalem tango group. My dad is a member of the Saint Louis Symphony Chorus, in addition to his job at Amdocs."

What does Daniel miss from St. Louis?  "The Muny and the outdoor pool at the JCC."

Moving into the larger world

Daniel's first trip on his own to Israel was with the Nesiya program for high school students.  It combined outdoor activities, workshops in the arts, community service projects, cultural activities and creative Jewish studies.  "All the things that I love," says Daniel.

In the fall of 2002, Daniel started Brandeis University and pursued a triple major in English literature, Hebrew literature, and Jewish studies. He spent his junior year in Israel. Most American college students in Israel study at Hebrew University in Jerusalem; and most study in English.  Daniel chose to study at Ben Gurion University in Beer Sheva and was accepted into the Hebrew course of study. Daniel recalls: "I came in contact with an Israel that I hadn't known before.  And I started to get interested in the study of Arabic."

His career in journalism got started that year as he contributed a monthly column to the KOACH Ezine about his experiences in Israel.

As a Brandeis senior, he was an editor of the online Web Wire of New Voices Magazine, a national independent magazine written by and for Jewish college students.

After graduating from Brandeis in 2006, Daniel returned to Israel with a Social Justice Fellowship from the New Israel Fund.  He hosted a radio program with participation by Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and Moslems.

Living in different worlds
"Religiously, I'm in continual gravitation," says Daniel.  "I don't fit into a box.  I am comfortable with Jewish practice and Jews from across the religious spectrum.

Socially, I am at home with Israelis and with Americans.  My midwestern upbringing seems to win over Israelis.  I find 'politeness' to be the best response to 'rudeness.'

Culturally, I am comfortable with Jews and Arabs.  My newest challenge is the study of Arabic.  I love languages, and I am working hard to master this new language.

Professionally, I am comfortable with all means of communication.  But most of all, I love radio."

Currently Daniel is a freelance journalist for American public radio programs.