Mission Snifim Leadership Training Shabbatonim
Solidarity Mission Moshava TVI Mach Hach Ba'aretz
Bnei Akiva of the US and Canada, the Religious Zionist Youth Movement, inspires and empowers the Jewish Youth of North America with a deep commitment to our people, Am Yisrael, our land, Eretz Yisrael, and our Torah, Torat Yisrael through a wide variety of informal educational programs.
Bnei Akiva members strive to live lives of Torah V’Avodah, combining Torah learning and observance with active contribution to the Jewish people and society, to bring about the rebirth of the Jewish Nation on its land. Bnei Akiva creates leaders who assume responsibility for their community, who take initiative and who actualize the ideals of Torah V’Avodah by making aliyah.
Bringing the mission to life - Bnei Akiva’s Programs
Bnei Akiva is at the forefront of Religious Zionist education for youth, by youth, with chapters across the United States, Canada, and the world over. Bnei Akiva educational programming spans the year and the full range of ages, with members continuing from childhood through the college years, during the school year and during the summer.
During the year, Bnei Akiva snifim (chapters) infuse their regular meetings on shabbat and weekends with Torah , Israel and fun. High school madrichim (counselors) take leadership roles, planning and running educational activities for younger kids, and growing tremendously in the process. Because of the geographical spansiveness of Chicago, there are four local sniffim, in West Rogers Park, Lincolnwood, Skokie, and Buffalo Grove.
Bnei Akiva enhances these leadership skills through Leadership Training Seminar Shabbatonim, where madrichim learn how and what it means to a leader in Bnei Akiva. KMCB, Kenes Manhigei Chevraya Bet (National High School Leadership Conference) is the ultimate leadership training seminar, taking top leaders from each Bnei Akiva galil (city), and preparing and inspiring them to be the future leaders of the Tnua (movement).
The Bnei Akiva year is highlighted by local, regional and national shabbatonim filled with learning, friends, and that unbeatable, unforgettable Bnei Akiva Ruach!
In 9th grade, members of Bnei Akiva all over the world receive their Shevet name, the special name decided by Bnei Akiva in Israel that is assigned to their age-group. From then on, the Shevet becomes the center of a child’s Bnei Akiva chevra (social group), and after participating in our national summer programs after 10th and 11th grades, the Shevet gets to reunite at shabbatonim during the year.
The final shabbaton of the year brings together Bnei Akivaniks from all over the country, from 9th-12th grade, for a shabbaton held at Moshava on the weekend of the Israel Day Parade in Manhattan. The shabbaton culminates with lively, enthusiastic participation in the Parade.
Bnei Akiva’s 12th grade winter Solidarity Mission to Israel was initiated two years ago by 3 Bnei Akiva members who were seniors in High School. Infused with the message of Bnei Akiva, these high school students decided it was time that they and their peers did something to show how much they care about Israel. The result was a 10 day mission that was filled not with sight seeing and tourism, but with packing sandbags for the Israeli Army in Sarel, making food packages for poor families in Yerushalayim, and more. Participants left not only with a tremendous sense of accomplishment, but with a renewed commitment to Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael.
The climax of the Bnei Akiva experiences of the year comes during the summer. There are four sleep-away camps in the US and Canada, at least one of which (Wild Rose) provides exciting, experiential Bnei Akiva education for 4-8 weeks. For children and teens up until 10 th grade, there’s nothing like a summer at Camp Moshava in Wild Rose, WI, Indian Orchard, PA, Ennismore, Ontario , and Camp Stone in Sugar Grove, PA.
Mach Hach Ba’Aretz, Bnei Akiva’s renowned 6 week Israel experience program, brings Israel and Religious Zionism to life through seminars, visiting historical sites, kibbutzim, and meeting with Bnei Akiva members in Israel .
Mach Hach Ba'Aretz participants experience Israel firsthand and develop a deeper understanding and connection to Eretz Yisrael. Mach Hach Ba'Aretz is not just another summer tour, but rather, is a unique Religious Zionist educational program designed to deepen the appreciation and connection to our religious and national heritage, culture and history.
Torah V’Avodah Institute (TVI)
TVI, the Torah V’Avodah Institute, is Bnei Akiva’s National Leadership training seminar, providing participants with the necessary skills to assume leadership in Bnei Akiva as madrichim in Camp Moshava and throughout the year. Through shiurim, discussions, and actually planning and implementing programs at the nearby Camp Moshava the 17 year old participants from across the country begin their transition from chanichim (campers) to madrichim (counselors), while also forming a national network of teenage leaders committed to Israel and Religious Zionism.