Netzer
South Africa Reform Zionist Youth Movement Affiliated
to Netzer Olami in Jerusalem Our purpose is to create an environment whereby
every member of Netzer South Africa is exposed to a relevant, meaningful Progressive
Jewish and Zionist experience under the guidance of educated youth who have themselves
been through the Netzer South Africa process. Netzer offers something uniquely
Progressive to South Africa.
By being part of Netzer, young Jewish South
Africans are given the opportunity to build strong Jewish identities, and become
part of the future leadership within Jewish communities throughout the country. Who
we are: Netzer is a not-for-profit Progressive Zionist Youth Movement that
started in South Africa in 1979. Netzer is part of an international youth movement,
Netzer Olami, based in Jerusalem. Our parent bodies include the South African
Union of Progressive Judaism, the South African Zionist Federation and Netzer
Olami. Our members include channichim (participants) ranging from Grade 1
to 12 and madrichim (leaders) who have completed high school, from all over South
Africa, Our national mazkirut (managing body) is made up of university-going volunteers.
Our main centres are in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria, and we also
have other participants from around the country.
We are active participants
in the Jewish Community, running regular meetings and regional events. Our events
expose channichim to a range of relevant issues including Judaism, Zionism, social
awareness/action, and social skills on an informal educational level. Netzer members
actively participate in our Progressive synagogues during Shabbat and the chaggim
(festivals) by running services and organising fun, educational programmes for
the whole family. At all our events, we create an atmosphere based on values
of respect, equality, tolerance and acceptance.
Netzer
facilitates the training of future leaders, aiming to build people with a vision
to constructively contribute to society. Leadership and informal education seminars
are run throughout the year, particularly for Grades10 to 12, with a national
seminar during the winter holiday.
The
culmination of our annual activities is realised on our national summer camp where
madrichim and channichim learn from one another about being informed Jewish South
Africans. Summer machaneh is the time in the year where Netzer South Africa creates
the Progressive leaders of tomorrow at the Rotary campsite in Glencairn, Cape
Town.
Netzer
South Africa
