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.
They toured Israel and met with peers from Progressive communities in Jerusalem. They spent Friday evening at Kol Haneshama in Jerusalem and met with young people from Progressive congregations in Mevaseret Zion, Harel and Kol Haneshama. Many of the visitors had previously attended MachaNetzer, the Reform Zionist youth movement annual summer camp in France, and were learn about Netzer activities in other places around the world.
On the last day of their visit, they met with Lior Argaman, Director of Youth and Young Adults Engagement at the World Union, who took them on a tour of the campus and spoke about the history of Progressive Judaism in Israel, and what Reform young adults engage in worldwide.
One of their madrichot (leaders), Judith Guy, had attended Shnat Netzer, the Progressive gap year Israel program of Netzer Olami and the World Union, and shared her experiences with the group.
The activity concluded with participants sharing what they will take home with them from this week. An overwhelming majority of Bnei Mitzvah said they will continue the friendships made along the trip, the positive connection to Israel, and of course, many souvenirs.
For more information about Shnat Netzer, visit our website. Registration is now open for 2020!