THIRTY years ago, in 1979, an Israeli Shaliach named Moshe Cohen arrived in South Africa on a mission to establish a new Jewish youth movement for the children of Reform congregations in the country. In the very same year, another Israeli Shaliach named Aric Chatzor, landed in Australia on the very same mission.
Moshe Cohen established the new youth movement in Johannesburg, and members called themselves "Hamaginim" or "The Defenders". Arik Chatzor established a youth movement in Melbourne and gave it the name NETZER - Noar Tzioni Reformi - Reform Zionist Youth.
Soon after, these two new movements, Hamaginim of South Africa and Netzer of Australia, united to establish the new Reform youth movement - Netzer Olami.
The dream then became a reality. It started with four members in Johannesburg. Today, as we proudly celebrate our 30th anniversary, Netzer Olami is a youth movement of about 15,000 members, operating in 14 countries.
Therefore, dear Channichim, you should feel deep pride. You are the ones that can point and say: "Here, in our country, in our congregations, it all started! We contributed to the worldwide Reform movement, this movement which has become so important for educating Jewish youth."
You are coming to participate in your summer camp - "Even Derech". Let this camp become for you a real Milestone! Let's make the first Netzer Sniff in the world one of the more important ones once again! Let's double our membership next year, both in Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as in Durban, East London and any other place where young Jewish kids are looking for a meaningful Progressive Jewish youth movement.
Maoz Haviv
Mazkir Clali
Netzer Olami - TaMaR
WHEN I was 13 most of my friends saw their bar mitzvah as a ticket out of Jewish life - I was lucky. I was hooked on something called Netzer (in those days it was Netzer Maginim) and it was just getting better. I had a large group of friends, I was encouraged to think, to sing, dance, act crazy, and explore myself, my Jewish identity and what it meant to be a teenager in South Africa.
By the time I was 21, I had looked after children from ages 6-18, been responsible for running an entire movement with annual events and budgets in the millions of Rands, run an office with a secretary, fundraised from businesspeople, created advertising and marketing campaigns, run telethons, been to Israel on two international conferences and more, where most people my age were just finishing a BA or BCom.
More than any other influence in my life, Netzer gave me the skills and confidence to meet the challenges I faced growing up and I still today draw on some of the skills that I learnt back then. And you know what - at age 37, I am still going back to camp this year, this time as the Rabbi on Camp and taking my family with me.
I would strongly recommend Netzer to any parent and any child, and don't hesitate to call me to talk further.
L'Shalom
Rabbi Greg Alexander
Temple Israel
Year after year Netzer has achieved accolades from the South African Zionist Federation for running the most successful Zionist programs amongst all the youth movements. Netzer is also one of the few religious camps that are held. These camps are getting better and better every year.
Our children need to be made aware of what Progressive Judaism is all about, as well as being able to find meaning in what we practice. They need to be able to argue about our religion from a position of strength when they meet their peers, particularly from Jewish Day schools. By attending the camp they will not only come away feeling more positive about their Progressive identity, but will have a new found confidence in what we stand for.
Camp is one way in which our youth can experience the vibrancy and excitement of Judaism: sharing, learning, leading and living the Jewish dream together.
The SAUPJ would like to thank Netzer's National Leadership and Shlichim for their wonderful contributions and enthusiasm in which they make learning such fun for our youth. We take this opportunity to wish Netzer a successfully camp for 2009 and a happy 30th birthday!
Steve Lurie
SAUPJ National Chairman
