World Bnei Akiva - Inspiring The Next Generation Together

A. Funding scholarships for leadership programs for movement members from around the world:. Corona posed challenges we had not known before. Thousands of Jewish youth who attended synagogue every Shabbat, Bnei Akiva camps, met with Jewish friends on Sundays, and joined Bnei Akiva activities every Shabbat remained at home in isolation or under the limits of social distancing for the past two years. The movement has taken on the mission to make an extra effort (together with you) to enable as many scholarships as possible for teens approaching high school graduation to come to Israel. This is the time to enable them, to participate in the various programs in Israel that will further strengthen their Jewish identity, their sense of connection to the land and their understanding that they have another home here. The scholarships that you contribute towards will enable as many youth as possible to join these programs. B. Funding of the movement's Israeli shlichim to Jewish communities around the world: The last two years have taught us that the shlichim’s role is vital. When the skies closed we were thrilled to discover the determination of the shlichim to stay in the countries and cities that they were working in. In Milan the shlichim were partners in various initiatives in the community and together with the youth they went to personally thank the Israeli medical teams in the Lombardy region. In the US they were partners in organizing a vaccination campaign. In New Zealand they built a sukkah that served the general public, and in Chile they held outdoor mass prayers. The shlichim, representing us and you, were partners in the local Jewish leadership. Despite all the uncertainty, they motivated the youth to continue to be involved. This is the strongest evidence of the Israelis' connection with, and impact on Diaspora Jewry. Together with you we wish to send more shlichim to be active in more cities and countries. Imagine the sense of belonging to the community when on the first Shabbat evening of the lockdown, the shlichim and youth went out to distribute chall and Shabbat candles to Jewish families. We have learned that Israelis need Diaspora Jewry and that the communities need our shlichim no less. With your help we will reach more communities, more children and young men and women and more hearts.