Spotlight: Evan Mackey

Evan, a former IDF lone soldier and Camp Shalom counselor, is passionate about strengthening Jewish community in Greater Hartford and building a career rooted in service, resilience, and Jewish values.

Evan is second from the far right (the tallest guy) at Latke Vodka 100 on Dec 6th 2025.

Urban Dor: Tell us about what you like about the Greater Hartford Jewish community?

Evan: What I like about the Greater Hartford Jewish community is that everyone is so friendly and welcoming, which makes it very easy to meet new people and build relationships and the fact that there are all denominations of Judaism.

Urban Dor: When did you first hear about Urban Dor?

Evan: I first heard about Urban Door from an email I got from the Jewish Federation and from friends that I have in the Jewish community.

Urban Dor: Where do you see yourself in your career over the next five years? What kind of impact are you hoping to make?

Evan: In the very near future, I hope to find a career that helps people and uses Jewish values I grew up with, and the skills I learned serving in the Israel Defense Forces.

Evan serving in the IDF.

Urban Dor: What led you to serve in the IDF, and how did that experience shape your relationship with Judaism today? In what ways did it influence your sense of identity, responsibility, or connection to community?

Evan: What led me to serve in the IDF was going on birthright when I was 21 years old and seeing how amazing the culture and people are and how they deal with everyday life being surrounded by enemies. When I was on birthright, the sirens went off meaning a rocket was launched close to us, so we all had to run into a bomb shelter and I looked around and saw how scared everyone was and felt how scared I was and I didn’t want to ever feel that way again and I didn’t want anyone else to feel that way again so I decided the only way to make that happen is to come back and serve in the Israel Defense Forces.  My service changed my relationship with Judaism by helping me understand that being Jewish isn't just how you were born or what your parents are, there’s a history that’s thousands of years old and not only is it a religion, it's also a culture of all different colors and ethnic backgrounds, and we are a strong and resilient people and it made me realize one of the most important things us as Jews have is community. We have to be strong as a people and the only way to do that is to do it together as a people.

Urban Dor: We both spent our high school summers as counselors at Camp Shalom—hot mornings at the flagpole, challenging kids to gaga, and paddling a boat full of kids with Jane Canoe Canoe. What moments or lessons from camp have stuck with you, and how do you notice them showing up in your life now?

Evan: What working at a Jewish day camp called Camp Shalom means to me now is how important Judaism is to the youth and how imperative it is to show them that you should be proud to be Jewish and what Jewish values are. It also makes me thankful that I got a Jewish education when I was younger from going to Hebrew school and attending Camp Shalom as a camper. Exploring my Judaism when I was young helped me make it so that I will never lose my Judaism as I get older.

Urban Dor: If people want to connect with you further, what’s the best way for them to reach you?

Evan: If people would like to connect with me further, they can either find me on Facebook and send me a message or email me at Evanmackey111@gmail.com. I am very open about my IDF service and any opportunity that comes my way.

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Urban Dor's next event is Taste of Israel: A Wine & Cheese Social on March 19th 2026 - Buy Tickets.

We had a record-breaking 130 young Jewish adults at our last event for Latke Vodka 100 on December 6th 2025 at Tumble Brook Country Club in Bloomfield, CT.

Whether you’re from Greater Hartford, New Haven, Springfield, Boston, NYC or beyond, come experience the warmth and energy of the Greater Hartford Jewish community with Urban Dor.