20/02/12 by mazkir | News | No Comments »
By Michael Kosky
Michael sits on the Mazkirut (FZY’s National Executive) and is currently working on introducing a Garin FZY, to promote Aliyah (emigration to Israel) in the movement.
The last two weeks saw the Intro to Tour Seminars, originally introduced with the primary aim of introducing chanichim, who have not previously been involved, to the movement’s ideology. Over time, the seminar has come to include all FZY Tour participants, so that everyone can start the FZY Tour process together.
It has often been suggested that FZY acts solely as a glorified travel agency (as the song goes). However, this article sets out to smash this hypothesis to pieces, within the paradigm of Tour (an easy task).
FZY take the most amount of 16 year-olds on Tour than any other youth movement. We annually reach the maximum of twelve tours, as mandated by UJIA. This has led many to suggest that FZY care more about numbers than ideology. I invite these people to witness the Tour process for themselves, and then pass judgement. With months to go before Tour, FZY organises these Intro to Tour Seminars, which lend a heavy focus on introducing chanichim to FZY’s aims of Magen, Tarbut, Tzedakah, and Aliyah.
Of course, nothing can substitute regular education that chanichim gain though Ofek and Kesher. Having led camp twice, I see clearly the progression that chanichim make in their journey of Zionist education. A weekend seminar cannot replace two weeks, after which 14 year-old chanichim can debate the Israeli-Arab conflict with me, quoting statistics and figures that they’d picked up over camp. However, in organising these weekend seminars, FZY make sure that they put ideology first. They make sure that chanichim have at least some minimal grounding in our movement before they embark on Israel Tour.
Furthermore the travel-agency theorists point to the sharp decline in numbers involved in FZY after Tour. True, with nearly 500 chanichim on Tour, a small proportion stay committed afterwards. However, do people truly expect all 500, or anything like it, to stay involved? The vast majority go on Tour for no higher an ideal than being with their friends, and away in the Middle Eastern climate for a month. Very few, if any, go with the ideals of the movement in mind. They’re 16 years-old, what else would one expect?
However, education is a slow and sometimes subconscious process. These chanichim are introduced to the values and principles that FZY hold dear. They must do, because the madrichim all have these set firmly in the front of their minds. Chanichim come from a vast array of backgrounds and levels of knowledge. But on Tour they are hit with FZY, and all that we believe in. We can’t expect everything to get through to everyone; that would be far too unrealistic.
However, every chanich/a comes away with something. For those who choose not to stay involved, education is never wasted, especially the informal type. I have full faith that we as madrichim sow seeds for future reaping (however cliché that sounds). The challenge for us is to make the biggest impact we can, in the short amount of time we have.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Movement Team for their hard work in organising these Seminars, and for proving that FZY will always put ideology first.
16/02/12 by mazkir | News | No Comments »
Madrichim and Senior Tzevet applications for Machane 2012 are now open! Woop woop!
Taking camp is one of the most rewarding and fun experiences you can have in FZY, so don’t miss out!
In order to apply, please fill in this form by February 20th:
For Madrichim
For Senior Tsevet (for senior tzevet)
If you have any questions about camp or the application process, please contact Sasha
Look forward to a phenomenal summer with all of you!
08/02/12 by mazkir | Mazkirut, News | No Comments »
By Oliver Calmonson, FZY Mazkirut member and Comms Director
This weekend saw yet another successful Mazkirut seminar as the newly elected Mazkirut – the executive decision-making body of FZY – met for the first time since Vieda, where they were elected. The Mazkirut meet at least six times throughout the year to elect the new movement team, discuss important decisions and create projects that help FZY move forward and accomplish its aims. This year the Mazkirut are:
- Michael, Oli, Simon, Gilad, (Harry), Josh, Eytan, Joel, Debs, Emro and Nicola (in spirit)
The weekend had the usual ‘shabbatmosphere’ we have come to expect from FZY events, full of ideology, banter, education and, of course, food. The new team was brought up to speed with the current state of the movement and there was much discussion and debate as to how the movement should progress throughout the coming year. Each member has taken on either an individual or group project to enhance FZY and build a legacy for future Mazkuriot. Some will be completed within the month whilst others will take time and we may not see the full effects of them for years to come. However the wheels have been set in motion and hopefully great things are afoot.
If you want to bring something up for the Mazkirut to discuss, if you are unhappy with an aspect of the movement or you have an amazing idea for a new project or campaign, please do not hesitate to get in touch with any of us.
02/02/12 by FZY Movement Team | News | No Comments »
Glasgow’s FZY community had a jam-packed day of training, socialising and education as Rakaz Tzafon Adam Broude travelled up to visit the provincial community.
Meeting with community leaders at Glasgow’s Maccabi Community Centre discussions took place regarding Yom Haatzmaut, Yom Kippur, Channukah and Summer events, that FZY participants take part in.
Project 500 - Glasgow
The day ended with a screening of influential film Seven Days staring Will Smith, with an activity on tzedakah (charity). The Glasgow community is brimming with excitement as FZY Tour participants brace themselves for a weekend away in Wales to meet other FZY Tour participants.
Ein Gedi Committee at UJIA Super Sunday
Meanwhile in Manchester, FZY manned the phones at UJIA’s Super Sunday helping to raise over £30,000 for charities in the UK and Israel.
23/01/12 by mazkir | News | No Comments »
Check them out on the Contact Us page.
They also have a new phone line – feel free to contact Adam or Gili on 0161 773 9943
20/01/12 by mazkir | News | No Comments »
In a somewhat different environment to the sunny climes of Tel Hai in September, the FZY Movement Team once again gathered to discuss ideology, vision and direction in our Mabat II seminar.
Along with the Office Yeam we had a week where we presented to each other what we had done so far, assessed our strengths and weaknesses both as a team and as a wider movement, and decided where we wanted to go for the remaining months of the year. Wearing the obligatory silly hats, we drew out our job descriptions, and reassigned roles and responsibilities, in order to make the most out of the remaining two-thirds of the year.
Mabat II concluded with a UJIA Chazon day with the other youth movements. The highlight of the day was an inspiring talk by the Israeli Ambassador to Great Britain, Daniel Taub. He stressed the importance of what Zionist youth movements in Britain are doing and answered challenging questions about Aliyah, criticising Israel and coping with the dichotomy of being both British and Israeli.
The Mabat process will conclude with the first seminar for the new Mazkirut on the 3rd of February.
06/01/12 by mazkir | News | No Comments »
Veida is the ideological pinnacle of the FZY year – a chance for members of the movement from 12-25 to meet together and discuss our ideology and reconnect with the FZY Family.
Veida – Izzy Lenga, 18, London
After looking forward to Veida for weeks, the ‘pinnacle’ in the FZY calendar certainly did not disappoint! With the upcoming Games in 2012, the Olympics theme added an extra special spark to what would be an incredible ideologically filled week.
The highlight for me of any Veida is the plenary sessions, a chance to engage in discussions and sometimes very controversial debates, and getting to hear the vast spectrum of the delegates’ opinions. As a Kedmanik, not only did I intent to be a representative of FZY sixth formers around the country, but I also took and used the opportunity to really reflect and to learn from some of the best leaders in FZY about the current situation in Israel and how that should affect us as a movement. One particular theme that kept arising was whether FZY should take a political stance. This debate I found extremely thought-provoking, as this debate was something I had never properly thought about and perhaps just took a bit for granted. This lead to some fascinating discussions if we are then a ‘movement’ or just an ‘organisation’, and do we already have a political stance by being Zionist.
Aside from plen, I thoroughly enjoyed all the peulot, one which specifically springs to mind is FZY 2020, where we would be given different situations which the movement could be in or face in later years. Undoubtedly, Veida was filled with ‘banter’, from hilarious limericks and ‘top fives’ to the Movement Team play on the final night, ensured there was never a dull moment. Veida was also a great chance to meet and catch up with FZY members of all ages and from all around the country.
I would like to give a huge thank you to Joel, Eytan and Aimee for being such wonderful chairs of steering and to the rest of the steering committee for providing us with an unforgettable Veida. A huge mazal Tov must also go to the Mazkir-elect Harry Jardine and to the new mazkirut, netzigim, and YZ and Atid officers! As for now, all I can do is hope that Veida 2012 will be in Israel, so YC 12-13 won’t miss out!
14/12/11 by mazkir | News | No Comments »
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… It’s Veida time!!!
A four-day fest of ideology and banter; a cultural celebration of the very finest things in FZY; and your chance to have your say on the future of our movement.
Veida time also means election season, and this year the esteemed Harry Jardine will be running against the election-hardened RON.
You can check out his views and plans on his Mazkir Elect blog and his manifesto here.
Holding current and future Mazkirim to account is FZY’s Mazkirut – the executive decision-making body of FZY. Also elected at Veida, the Mazkirut represents the membership of the movement and meets together at least six times a year to discuss ideology; think of the best ways to advance FZY’s aims; hold the full-time Mazkirut to account and decide on the new members of it.
You can check out all nine of the potential candidates from their manifestos
Debs
EmRo
Eytan
Gilad
Joel
Kosky
Nicola
Oli
Simon
07/12/11 by mazkir | News | No Comments »
This is a guest post by Ilana Kosky, UJIA Living Bridge Coordinator
Last weekend, UJIA and FZY ran a fun-filled, action-packed and very successful residential weekend for a new group of pre-Bar/Bat Mitzvah students participating in the Ethiopian Bar/Bat Mitzvah Programme for 2011-12. The weekend served as an introduction to the programme for those participating in the programme, one of the most exciting elements being the ‘twinning’ of Ethiopian olim (new immigrants to Israel). It is also possible to take part in an EBBM club, which collectively fundraises for an Ethiopian twin to receive a course of secular and religious education in order to have their Bar/Bat Mitzvah at the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem in July.
The EBBM programme (the recently re-named Ethiopian Bar Mitzvah Fund, which all FZY bogrim will know as EBF) has been FZY’s tzedakah project for many years, supporting the programme financially and also sending two Israel Tour groups to the communal Bar/Bat Mitzvah at the Great Synagogue. By taking part in the weekend, FZY has expanded its role in the programme and strengthened its link to the tzedakah project it has unwaveringly supported over the past decade.
Four FZY madrichim, Tanya Jacobs (former movement worker), Adam Broude (current FZY movement worker), Simon Marks and Jess Casdan 
(both 2nd year bogrim) took charge of the weekend’s hadracha (leadership), and ran a fantastic set of peulot (programmes) on the themes of Jewish roots, considering our differences and our commonalities, and building relationships with those whose experiences are different to our own. The group also prepared for its first fundraising initiative, a bag pack at Sainsbury’s on Finchley Road on Sunday 11th December. FZY will also be joining in to help pack customer’s bags at some of the tills so all are welcome to come along and help out!
The EBBM Programme is a vital and extremely enriching experience for both the Ethiopian olim who take part and for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah participants who get involved in the UK. This unique programme encompasses both FZY’s and the UJIA’s core values – connecting young people in the UK to Israel by serving as a ‘living bridge’ as well as strengthening Jewish identity, and encompassing FZY’s four aims – Aliyah (as olim), Tzedakah (the whole project), Magen (Jewish right to a Bat/Bar Mitzvah) and Tarbut (Jewish and Israeli culture) . Becoming Bar and Bat Mitzvah marks the start of a young Jew’s journey into adulthood, but for the Ethiopian twins it is not only the start of adulthood but also the start of their life in a new land. Through the programme, the Ethiopian twins learn that despite the differences between the culture they are used to and the culture they have joined, there is a place for them as Jewish people in the Jewish homeland. Even though everything around them might be strange and new, they are not alone.
The programme shows them that they are brothers and sisters sharing the same ancient rite of passage that every Jewish boy or girl crosses, whatever their culture, and whatever their skin colour, and we stand side by side as one people, one Jewish race.
06/12/11 by FZY Movement Team | News | No Comments »
FZY have launched a brand new FZY App!
If you have an I-Phone, I-Pod or I-Pad, go to iTunes, and download it here.
The app is jam-packed full of exciting features, so check it out to:
- Beat the top score on the FZY quiz
- Check out all of the summer photos in the gallery
- Play games (there’s one hidden behind our logo on the opening page)
- Read the Young Zionist
- Keep up to date with the latest news and gossip
- Explore the great programmes on offer this summer.
‘Appy times!
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