Youth and students Youth and students are very important to the ZFA. Aside from fostering the next generation of Australian Jewish leaders, the youth and students of today are an eclectic mix of enthusiasm and commitment to Jewish and Zionist causes. With this in mind, the ZFA is the single largest supporter of Jewish activities for young people all around the country.
The support of the ZFA is mainly provided through support of three key organisations, each with its niche age bracket designed to promote Jewish and Zionist activities for young people ranging in ages from 8 to 30. Although there are youth branches of other organisations, these are the two main youth organisations across Australia. They are AZYC, AUJS and Hagshama.
Australian Zionist Youth Council (AZYC)
The AZYC is the roof body of the six Australian Zionist youth movements. Each movement has its own religious and political slant, and each movement provides informal education and activities for school students aged 8 to 17. The activities are conducted by university students, all of whom participated in a leadership program in Israel.
The AZYC and its branches - the Zionist Youth Councils(ZYCs) of Melbourne and Sydney - aims to unite the six movements under the common goal of Aliyah and fostering Jewish and Zionist education. The AZYC runs training seminars for all the student leaders, co-ordinates and promotes the Israel Programs and is involved in communal activities and public relations. Leaders of the AZYC also sit on the executive of the ZFA.
For further information about the AZYC click here azyc@azyc.com.au
The Six Youth Movements
Betar Australia
Betar is a revisionist Zionist youth movement that has been established in Australia since 1946.
Betar's ideology marks every individual as a king, therefore all of us should act as kings towards ourselves and in just the same way, treat others as kings. In this respect, Betar focuses on three main things when confronting its chanichim: Hadar - respect, tolerance understanding for all eople and their opinions. Zionism - encouraging Aliyah and forming a connection to Israel, the Jewish homeland. Tagar - being a proud Jew and learning to stand up for what you believe.
Going to a youth movement such as Betar strengthens the leadership skills of the youth and allows them to experience new levels of responsibility. It challenges their minds, allows them to form their own opinions and develops them as leaders, the leaders that will run our tomorrow.
Betar holds regular Sunday meetings and functions, as well as winter and summer camps.
http://www.betar.org.il/english/World/Australia
Bnei Akiva
As a religious Zionist Youth Movement, Bnei Akiva's ideology is "Torah veAvodah" - incorporating Torah with a modern lifestyle. The philiosophy of Bnei Akiva is to educate its members to lead their lives as modern Orthodox Jews, giving prominence to centrality of the State of Israel, and with an emphasis on the necessity of Jews living in Israel.
The ultimate goal of Bnei Akiva is the promotion of Aliyah, and to make Aliya. Bnei Akiva has one of the highest rates of Aliyah in Australia amongst past bogrim.
Keeping Israel as a central focus, Bnei Akiva has two post high school Israel programs - MTA and Tafnit, and one high school program for year 10 students - Kfar Haroeh.
Bnei Akiva runs weekly meetings, summer and winter camps and other activities. Summer camps are held in conjunction with Melbourne, Perth and New Zealand, and winter camp is held in July. Bnei Akiva also has regular Shabbat services at 9:00am on Shabbat mornings.
www.bneiakiva.asn.au
Habonim Dror
Habonim Dror is a world-wide Zionist Youth Movement. It is the biggest labour Zionist Youth Movement in the Jewish World and operates in over 20 countries.
In Australia, Habonim Dror operates in four cities; Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.
Activites include meetings on a weekly basis, Summer and Winter Camps, leadership courses and various seminars.
Chanichim (participants) are from years 3-12.
The movement is run by senior members who are graduates of the movement and were participants of the Habonim year-long leadership programme in Israel. The main ideological pillars are: Judaism, Zionism, Socialism and Self-fulfillment. These pillars are promoted through informal education and various activites.
www.hdoz.com
Hashomer Hatzair
Hashomer Hatzair is a Socialist-Zionist youth movement promoting a strong secular Jewish identity. We encourage love for Israel and Aliyah to a Hashomer kibbutz through programmes on all aspects of Israel, and the Hashy year programme. As proud secular Jews we express our Judaism by celebrating festivals and shabbatot, learning Hebrew and drawing from our rich heritage of Jewish history, philosophy and culture. We also educate our chanichim about social issues, encouraging activism in pursuit of social justice and equality (by doing community work, living a life with progressive values and attending rallies).
Our love and respect for nature is learned during many outdoor scouting activities and camps and expressed in promotion of environmentalism and sustainable development. Our unique "Hashy Family" culture provides an environment with warmth, security and support, built through strong Kvutza unity. We nurture and shape young Jews to become confident, passionate and questioning individuals, who have a strong sense of identity as Jews, Zionists and responsible members of humanity, who stand up for their beliefs, and act upon them.
Our hadracha (leadership) programme further enhances members' personal development and realisation, encouraging them to achieve their potential.
www.hashy.org.au
Hineni
Hineni is a Zionist, modern orthodox, politically non-partisan Youth and Welfare Movement. The movement, aassociated with Central Synagogue, provides exciting weekly activities, social functions and camps to increase knowledge, awareness, and identity among Jewish Youth, combining fun and games with education and culture.
Hineni aims to instill an understanding and love of Jewish values in young Jews conbined with the fierce promotion of the Zionist ideal. In short, we aim to inspire Jewish Youth with a love for the Jewish people, the Jewish land and Jewish values.
Hineni holds weekly Sunday meetings at Hineni Headquarters.
www.hineni.org.au
Netzer
Netzer is a world-wide progressive Zionist Youth Movement that has been a part of the Sydney community for the past 21 years.
The movement is associated with the two Progressive Synagogues, North Shore Temple Emanuel and Woolahra Temple Emanuel.
Netzer promotes a strong Jewish identity and a love of Israel through informal education, games and activities.
Netzer is run by a bogrim body made up of graduates of an educational year in Israel, the 'Shnat' Program. All madrichim have passed an extensive leadership course run by Netzer foryear 10 students, or a year-long leadership program in Israel for chanichim who have finished school and have committed to lead two years in the Movement.
Netzer has a special family atmosphere, where chanichim are able to meet other Jewish kids from around Australia, in a warm and caring environment.
Netzer runs exciting weekly Sunday meetings, which are held at both Temples on the East and North shores, as well as organized summer and winter camps and other great activities during the whole year.
www.netzer.org.au
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Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS)
AUJS is the roof body for all university Jewish student societies in Australia and New Zealand, operating in 8 regions and on over 30 campuses. AUJS is the voice of Jewish students and over Israel on campus. This manifests itself in a vast array of seminars, speakers, themed weeks, cultural, social and educational activities.
AUJS, through its 8 regional offices, runs events to suit every Jewish student on and off campus. This also includes sending the largest number of participants on Israel programmes. With a focus on education, Israel and social activities, AUJS continues to be strong and vibrant. Leaders of AUJS also sit on the executive of the ZFA.
For further information about AUJS, write to aujs@aujs.com.au
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