uring the recent summer in Australia, Netzer Olami snifim (branches) in Sydney and Melbourne managed to host two successful – and safety compliant – summer camps for close to 190 children and youth with 35 counselors. MachaNetzer, for seniors, ran from January 6-12 and MachaNoar, for junior campers, ran from January 19-23. Summer camps in Sydney were held at Emanuel Synagogue and North Shore Temple Emanuel and summer camps in Melbourne were held at the King David School, TempleBeth Israel and a campsite.
When lockdown began in March 2020, RSY-Netzer was quick to launch an online platform for their chanichimot to engage with while stuck at home. Remote Synagogue Youth provided a few hours a day for chanichimot to engage with a variety of activities run by RSY-Netzer chanichimot (leaders).
On June 5-7, Netzer FSU hosted a three-day, online summer camp extravaganza, conceived as a sea-faring voyage through Jewish culture for 35 passengers, ages 8-12, with the coolest crew – Netzer FSU madrichim, educators, volunteers and more – at the helm.
Avanhandava and Colônia da CIP brought together more than 270 participants between 6 and 21 years old, a record number compared to previous years.
In early March, a group of 29 Bnei Mitzvah from Progressive communities across France (and French-speaking Switzerland) were welcomed to Beit Shmuel as part of a mission organized by the World Zionist Organization, under the supervision of Gusti Yehoshua Braverman.
A lifetime of Jewish connections in one summer! The WUPJ 2018 Youth Camping Report highlights the impact of our international camping movement throughout the world, featuring statistics and locations of summer camps, counselors in key countries around the world!
In 2018, Netzer Olami introduced a new focus for Shnat Netzer participants increasing the partnership between participants of Shnat Netzer and Shnat Sheirut (pre-army volunteer program of Noar Telem, Israel’s Reform Youth Movement). Throughout the year, participants of both young leadership programs met for joint activities and discussions in an effort to build connections between them. This added focus received great feedback, leading to stronger social and ideological relationships among all involved.
Summer camps are in full swing in Belarus, Russia, Poland and Ukraine, with more than 600 campers enjoying outdoor activities and exploring Reform Judaism. Many are still celebrating 70 years of the State of Israel as central themes for cultural, artistic and historical activities in their camps.
