Israeli youth leaders arrive in Australia
Thirty two enthusiastic youth leaders from Israel have arrived in Australia for the much anticipated 2013 ZFA Zionist Seminars.
Leaders leave Tel Aviv
This popular and long standing program is a project the ZFA undertakes in partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and a range of Jewish day schools and supplementary education providers.
Seven teams of highly trained leaders were hand selected and given specific training for these educational seminars, each suited to the particular outlook and character of their host schools.
The teams will conduct programs at Jewish schools in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. Educational programs will also be provided to students at non-Jewish schools through UJEB/ JSN in Victoria, and Academy BJE in NSW.
The groups will engage with students at Bialik College and UJEB, Emanuel School and Academy BJE, Mount Scopus Memorial College, Masada College, Leibler Yavneh College, Moriah College and Carmel School.
The team for The King David School came in April for “Chodesh Iyar”.
The Bialik/ UJEB team are working with secondary school students at Bialik as well as students from non-Jewish schools at camps and programs with UJEB and JSN.
ZFA Zionist Seminars have become a highlight of Zionist education for students at Jewish and non-Jewish schools across Australia.
In particular, for students at non-Jewish schools, this is a unique opportunity to connect with Israel, learn about Jewish-Israeli concepts and to form meaningful relationships with Jewish peers and educators.
ZFA President Philip Chester said: “We have known for years that the Zionist Seminar programs are eagerly awaited by and hugely popular with school students. What research by the Hebrew University Melton Centre has now demonstrated is that the relationships between students and madrichim as “near peers” which develop in each and every location have profound impact in the students’ Jewish and Zionist identity.”
“We are particularly delighted this year to have a new Zionist Seminar partnership between the Emanuel School and Academy BJE in Sydney, bringing the programs to students in non-Jewish schools in NSW.”
Zionist Seminars aim to enhance Jewish and Zionist activity in the community. These informal camps for children in Years 8 to 11 teach, challenge and inspire students about Israel.
This dynamic program started in the early 1980s and is still one of the most popular events of the year for Jewish students.
