Sydney’s Jewish Youth in focus
The unique role which Sydney’s Jewish youth movements play within the community will come under the spotlight next Tuesday night at the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies plenum.
Representatives from all six movements will address the meeting. Betar will be represented by Ari Sofer; Bnei Akiva by Aaron Schneider; Habonim Dror by Eve Altman; Hineni by Bec Metzger; Netzer by Joel McCarroll; and Tzofim (Israeli Scouts) by Sarai Polk. Each will give a brief overview of their movement’s ethos.
Collectively, the movements engage with over 1000 youth annually in New South Wales.
“Many members of the community have had an involvement with a youth movement at some point in our lives,” said Board of Deputies CEO Vic Alhadeff – who was a member of Betar in Zimbabwe. “This is the first time that a Board of Deputies plenum will focus on recognising the key roles which they play in creating building-blocks for the community, developing Jewish identity and engendering support for Israel at a formative age. We look forward to hearing from their representatives and thereby strengthening the relationship between the youth movements and the Board of Deputies.”
The plenum will be held next Tuesday July 18 at 7.30pm in Darlinghurst.
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Does Jewish identity only mean zionism and support for Israel? What about other youth groups in the local Jewish community that promote good citizenship, personal development and relations with the rest of the Australian community? Why isn’t the only Jewish scout group in NSW (3rd Rose Bay Judean) involved in this plenum? The young members of this group introduce Judaism to other scouts across the state, conducts community service for the Jewish and broader communities and is the only Jewish youth group representation at important Australian events like Anzac day.
I wonder how the events at South Head Congregation will impact the association of young Jews to the community, and to shield in particular, in the years to come.