Zionist youth movements, both in Israel and the diaspora, continue to play a large role in community organisation, Jewish education, welfare, politics and activism. While upholding and adjusting their individual movement ideologies, diaspora movements commonly idealise Jewish continuity and
identity in opposition to cultural
assimilation, and Zionism in the way of active community involvement while living in Israel (termed by some as
aliyah nimshechet or
continuing ascent), with importance placed upon
leadership skills and
personal development. In some countries, resistance in response to anti-Semitism is also a significant political focus. Movements generally focus on education for school-age youths, who are known as
chanichim (Hebrew for educatees; singular
chanich or
chanicha), approximately aged 8 to 18. The nucleus of movement leaders (
madrichim, singular
madrich/a; literally
guides) are graduates (
bogrim, singular
boger/et) of the movement, although it is popular for senior
chanichim to also lead junior groups. Much of a movement's activity is carried out through regular meetings or events, in many countries weekly, as well as
camps one or more times a year. Leaders use methods of informal education to inspire and teach
chanichim within a particular ideological framework or to induce discussion and thought. Such events are also highly social and often involve recreational activity., making the educational and ideological pursuits more enjoyable for participating youths.
List of modern movements •
AJ6: The Association of Jewish Sixthformers, based in the United Kingdom, with a branch in
Shelomi, Israel. •
Ariel (youth movement): 1980–ongoing. Split from
Bnei Akiva in Israel, separating its meetings for males and females, and with each branch having its own
rabbi for authority. •
BBYO: 1923–ongoing. Formerly associated with
B'nai B'rith. Active internationally. •
Beyajad. 1988–ongoing. Active in
Monterrey, Mexico. •
Betar: 1923–ongoing. Associated with
Revisionist Zionist movement and
Likud party. Its members were heavily involved in Jewish resistance in the ghettos of Nazi Eastern Europe. Active internationally and counts with branches in many countries around the world, including 3 new branches recently founded: two in Brazil and one in Italy. •
Bnei Akiva: 1929–ongoing. Associated with
Religious Zionism and, in Israel, the
National Religious Party (most international branches are apolitical). Ideology of ''Torah ve'avodah'' –
torah study and contributing to the build-up of the nation. Bnei Akiva claims to be the largest Zionist Youth Movement in the world, with over 50,000, members internationally (35 Countries) with another 100,000 in Israel. •
Canadian Young Judaea: 1917–ongoing. Largest movement in Canada. •
Chazit Hanoar: Politically unaffiliated, Jewish and Zionist education. Active in South America. •
Club Z: 2018–ongoing. Club Z was born out of a need to create an ongoing, comprehensive, and honest Jewish education program for the unaffiliated Jewish teens in the San Francisco Bay Area. Today, Club Z is a national organization for Jewish teens, raising modern-day Zionists who are articulate and knowledgeable leaders. •
Ezra: 1919–ongoing. Religious movement, originally affiliated with the
Agudat Yisrael party in Israel. In Palestine from 1936. Has founded many
kibbutzim and
moshavim and now Ezra Olami works in USA Canada Russia Belarus Ukraine England Germany. •
Federation of Zionist Youth (FZY): 1910–ongoing. (As FZY since 1935). Pluralistic – believes in teaching Jewish and Israeli culture, promoting righteousness, defense of Jewish rights and
aliyah. •
Habonim Dror: Merger of Dror (est. 1915) and Habonim Union (1929) in 1980. Associated with
Labour Zionism, the
United Kibbutz Movement and
Labor party. Dror members were among the leaders of the Warsaw ghetto uprising. Active internationally. A
secular youth movement. •
Haihud Hahaklai (the
Agricultural Union): 1978–ongoing. Associated with a union of agricultural villages, but politically non-partisan. Active in Israel. •
Hamaccabi Hatzair: 1926–ongoing. Founded in
Germany, associated with the
World Maccabi Jewish
sports organisation, while the youth movement also promoted aliya and pioneering through rural settlement. •
HaMahanot HaOlim: 1926–ongoing. Associated with the
United Kibbutz Movement. Five principles of pioneering, Zionism, socialism, democracy and humanism. Established originally by
Herzlia Gymnasium. Active in Israel. •
Hanoar Hatzioni: 1926–ongoing. Scouting movement with pluralistic outlook. Active in 16 countries worldwide and has a strong belief in Judaism, Zionism and Pluralism, all of which should be looked at in an holistic framework. •
Hanoar Haoved Vehalomed: 1924–ongoing. Established as HaNoar HaOved ("the working youth") by the
Histadrut (General Federation of Jewish Labor in Palestine) to meet the social, cultural and education needs of working youth. After merging in 1959 with the Habonim Union, the current movement was formed, "the Working and Student Youth". Active in Israel. •
Hashomer Hatzair: 1913–ongoing. A Zionist-
socialist youth movement founded in
Galicia (today's Poland). Established what was the
Mapam party, following the migration to Israel and founding of kibbutzim by many members in the early 1920s. Its members were heavily involved in Jewish resistance in the ghettos of Nazi Eastern Europe including
Mordechai Anielewicz, leader of the
Jewish Combat Organization during the
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Active internationally. •
Hebraikeinu: 1990; Affiliated to
Maccabi World Union, established in the club
A Hebraica de São Paulo Brazil. •
Hehalutz: 1918–Initially established in Russia under
Joseph Trumpeldor to prepare potential
olim for labour and pioneering work. Mostly collapsed after World War II (ongoing in Argentina and Mexico only). Active in Latin America. •
Hineni: 1976–ongoing.
Modern Orthodox Judaism, Politically Active, Modern Orthodox, Pluralist Zionist movement. Not associated with particular Zionist ideology or party. Active in Australia. •
Hatzofim Haivriim (the
Hebrew Scouts): 1919–ongoing. Associated with the world
Scouting movement, whose ideals it generally shares. Active in Israel. •
LJY-Netzer: 1947–ongoing. The youth movement of
Liberal Judaism (UK) in the UK, they operate under the banner of
Progressive Zionism and support a
Two State Solution. They became affiliated with
Netzer Olami in the early 90s. •
Magshimey Herut: 1999–ongoing. Acitivist movement associated with
Revisionist Zionism made up of religious and non-religious young adults. Ideology a combination of retaining the borders of
Greater Israel and social activism on behalf of Israel's poor. Affiliated with the
Herut party. Active in North America and Israel. •
Netzer: 1979–ongoing. Associated with the
World Union for Progressive Judaism. Central focus on
Reform Zionism and social activism through
tikkun olam (repairing the world). Netzer Olami also claims to be the largest zionist youth movement in the world with over 30,000 members worldwide. Active internationally. •
Noar Masorti or
NOAM: Associated with
Conservative Judaism. Active in Israel, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, France, Mexico, Spain, Ukraine, Germany, Uganda and the UK. •
NFTY: 1939–ongoing. Formerly the North American Federation of Temple Youth. The organized youth movement of
Reform Judaism in North America. Affiliated with the
Union for Reform Judaism and
Netzer Olami. •
Sinai Youth Movement: 1955–ongoing. Modern Orthodox Judaism. Active in the United Kingdom. •
Tzeirei Ami: 1978–ongoing. Chilean pluralistic Zionist scouting movement. Active in South America. Affiliated with
HaNoar HaTzioni. •
United Synagogue Youth: 1951–ongoing. The youth movement of the
Conservative Judaism. Affiliated with the
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Active in North America. •
Young Judaea: 1909–ongoing. Formerly associated with
Hadassah Women's Zionist Organization. Focus on Zionist Jewish identity and social action in a pluralist environment. Active as the largest movement in the USA. ==Preparation (
Hachshara)==