March 2011 / Adar II 5771

The Young Judaea Youth Group organizes a gap year program in Israel for Jewish American youth. During the year approximately 350 students learn about Zionism and Judaism in Israel, all done whilst volunteering and studying in the country.

As an extension of the tour a group called Olami, consisting of 23 students travel to different various locations around the world to meet their Jewish peers. On this trip they visited South Africa, they learnt about the Jewish community here and how we are all connected to our Jewish history.

As a very important part of this experience young Americans were brought to South Africa, more particularly Johannesburg, where they stayed for approximately 1 week. The Israel Centre South Africa worked closely with the Olami Co-ordinator to organise various activities and events in which the Americans could meet up with Jewish South African youth.

Local youth movement representatives, Israel centre representatives and young Judaea youth met the Beyachad building on the 27th January where they had the opportunity to discuss life in Johannesburg and America. Each movement had the chance to explain who they are and what their goals and missions are as movements. They then had a chance to speak individually. The American youth came from various parts of America and so all had different experiences to speak of with regards to what it is like to be Jewish in America, some came from religious areas and went to Jewish day schools whilst others did not live in Jewish areas and did not go to Jewish day schools. They spoke of the anti Semitism that they face on a daily basis in America. Our youth explained that they do not really face any anti Semitism living in Johannesburg. Various thought provoking discussions were had about Jewish day schools, shuls and how strong the Jewish community is here as well as in America.

Following the talk they all departed for drinks at Moyo at the zoo lake. This was time for the youth to bond in an informal setting. South African youth and American youth had a fun filled evening getting to know one another whilst experiencing the Johannesburg lifestyle. The evening was very successful as they continued to make plans for the weekend, so that the youth could experience the night life in Johannesburg. They all went out, danced and had a good time at a party in Johannesburg.

The Israel Centre also organised hosting families for the American youth to stay at over for the weekend. This was a wonderful opportunity to get to know firsthand what it is like to be a Jewish family living in Johannesburg. They shared Shabbat together, they thoroughly enjoyed eating home cooked Jewish meals, attending Shul and meeting many other Jewish members of the community.

It was a very successful trip and we look forward to their visit next year.