Youth Groups and Movements
Having your children join a Tnuat Noar is an excellent way to help them integrate and acclimate to living in Israel. Groups tend to meet and run activities during the week as well as on Shabbat and often run short summer day camps or sleep-over-type programs.
When to join?
Children usually join a group in 3rd or 4th grade. During High School some of the participants are also chosen to become the Madrichim – מדריכים – counselors.
Benefits
Given that the language spoken is Hebrew, it is an additional way for children to learn and practice the language as well as forge friendships that often last a lifetime. Participation in these group activities allows them to meet other local children in a relaxed, informal atmosphere which is definitely beneficial for their absorption.
How to choose?
Ask around in your community, your neighbors and friends about which youth movements are popular in your neighborhood or nearby. Many places have multiple active groups/movements enabling you to choose one that reflects your educational, political and or religious values.
Options
Below is an alphabetical listing of the major youth group movements in Israel with links to their websites and their religious/political affiliation.
- Ariel – אריאל – (Chareidi Leumi – Chardal)
- Bnei Akiva – בני עקיבא (National-Religious)
- Ezra – עזרא – (Chareidi Leumi – Chardal – National-Religious)
- HaNoar HaOved V’HaLomed – הנוער העובד והלומד – (Secular Zionist)
- Hashomer Hatzair – השומר הצעיר – (Secular Zionist)
- NCSY – (National-Religious for English-speaking Olim)
- Noam – נועם – (Conservative Movement)
- Tzofim & Tzofim Dati’im – צופים וצופים דתיים – (Secular & National-Religious)
For additional youth groups and movements in Israel you can check out the Israeli Council for Youth Organizations site here or the Moetzet Tnuot Noar here. In addition, here is a guidebook in Hebrew listing many of the groups with their description and information.