About Us
MISSION STATEMENT
Bnei Akiva of New York is a regional chapter of the Worldwide Religious Zionist Youth Movement Bnei Akiva, whose mission is to inspire and empower Jewish Youth with a deep commitment to the Jewish people, the Land of Israel, and the Torah through a wide variety of informal and experiential educational programs.
Bnei Akiva of New York members strive to live lives of Torah V’Avodah, combining Torah learning and religious observance with active contributions to the Jewish people and the greater society. BANY creates leaders who assume responsibility for their community, take initiative towards those ends, and aim to actualize the ideals of Torah V’Avodah through making aliyah.
THE THIRTEEN PRINCIPLES OF BNEI AKIVA
These guiding principles were established to guide the actions and deeds of each Chaver (member) of Bnei Akiva. These principles reflect the values and beliefs held dear by Bnei Akiva members worldwide, and are incorporated into the educational programming conducted by Bnei Akiva of New York.
The Chaver/Chavera:
1. Is loyal to the Torah of G-D, His people, Land and Language
2. Sets aside definite periods for the study of Torah
3. Loves work and hates idleness
4. Sees the future of the Jewish people in Eretz Yisrael
5. Is kind and courteous to all
6. Acts as a brother or sister to chaverim and is prepared to assist them at all times
7. Obeys his/her parents, teachers and leaders
8. Is pure in thought and action
9. Is truthful
10. Loves nature
11. Is always cheerful and pleasant
12. Is thrifty
13. Looks after his/her health
BNEI AKIVA OF NEW YORK AREAS OF SERVICE
Sniffim
Through chapters in synagogues and communities across New York and New Jersey, programs are run for the local youth on Shabbat and throughout the week. Each chapter is led either by area college students, or Israeli Shlichot, emissaries, spending the year volunteering with BANY.
Shevatim
Bnei Akiva members throughout the world are each assigned to a Shevet correlated to their age. BANY runs Shabbatonim, BBQs and other reunions for the members of Shevatim that are in grades 5-12.
Manhigei Atid
12th grade students in the New York area are invited to join this cohort of future leaders who work together throughout the year to create programming for themselves, volunteer for the general community, and contribute to the growth and success of Bnei Akiva.
Bogrim
In conjunction with Bnei Akiva of North America, BANY helps coordinate and promote programs for college students in the greater New York area focused on developing leadership and strengthening their connection to Israel.
Summer Programs and Affiliates
Throughout the summer, programs are coordinated by BANY in the Hamptons community of Long Island, NY in conjunction with a local day camp. Many BANY members attend one of the four Bnei Akiva Moshava Camps that are located across North America: Indian Orchard, Wild Rose, Stone, and Ennismore.
HISTORY OF BNEI AKIVA
Bnei Akiva first came into existence in the late 1920's, following World War I. At that time, the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate over Eretz Yisrael (then Palestine). The Jewish pioneers in Eretz Yisrael were struggling, engaged in a Herculean effort to succeed economically and to build their homeland. However, there was another concern as well: the need to redefine the spiritual-cultural identity of the Jewish nation.
These were the years of the Third Aliyah (immigration) to Eretz Yisra’el (1919-1923). This Aliyah was clearly characterized by two elements: economic hardship and the evolution of a strong group of social-minded individuals. The general direction was to create a new Jewish society.
During this period, the Hapoel Hamizrachi workers movement, part of the Mizrachi movement (established in 1901), was founded. Its goal was to organize and unify the few religious laborers who were, at that time, economically deprived and spiritually rejected, and to transform them into a force to be reckoned with. Hapoel Hamizrachi was the active realization of the Religious-Zionist ideals of the Mizrachi movement: “The Land of Israel, for the People of Israel, according to the Torah of Israel.” It dedicated itself to engaging in all aspect of life in Israel, religious and secular, including labor and settlement of the land.
In the winter of 1929, Yechiel Eliash, then an officer of the Brit Olamit shel Torah Va’avoda (“National Alliance of Torah and Labor”), suggested to Hapoel Hamizrachi the establishment of a religious youth movement, with the purpose of strengthening young people’s spirit and organizing them within a proud social framework. Concurrent with the establishment of the movement in Israel, organizations of religious youth operated in the Diaspora. Some of them adopted the name Bnei Akiva and others had appellations such as Hashomer Hadati. In 1958, the Israeli and Diaspora groups merged and the Mazkirut Olamit (World Secretariat) of Bnei Akiva was formed.
Bnei Akiva of New York is a regional chapter of the Worldwide Religious Zionist Youth Movement Bnei Akiva, whose mission is to inspire and empower Jewish Youth with a deep commitment to the Jewish people, the Land of Israel, and the Torah through a wide variety of informal and experiential educational programs.
Bnei Akiva of New York members strive to live lives of Torah V’Avodah, combining Torah learning and religious observance with active contributions to the Jewish people and the greater society. BANY creates leaders who assume responsibility for their community, take initiative towards those ends, and aim to actualize the ideals of Torah V’Avodah through making aliyah.
THE THIRTEEN PRINCIPLES OF BNEI AKIVA
These guiding principles were established to guide the actions and deeds of each Chaver (member) of Bnei Akiva. These principles reflect the values and beliefs held dear by Bnei Akiva members worldwide, and are incorporated into the educational programming conducted by Bnei Akiva of New York.
The Chaver/Chavera:
1. Is loyal to the Torah of G-D, His people, Land and Language
2. Sets aside definite periods for the study of Torah
3. Loves work and hates idleness
4. Sees the future of the Jewish people in Eretz Yisrael
5. Is kind and courteous to all
6. Acts as a brother or sister to chaverim and is prepared to assist them at all times
7. Obeys his/her parents, teachers and leaders
8. Is pure in thought and action
9. Is truthful
10. Loves nature
11. Is always cheerful and pleasant
12. Is thrifty
13. Looks after his/her health
BNEI AKIVA OF NEW YORK AREAS OF SERVICE
Sniffim
Through chapters in synagogues and communities across New York and New Jersey, programs are run for the local youth on Shabbat and throughout the week. Each chapter is led either by area college students, or Israeli Shlichot, emissaries, spending the year volunteering with BANY.
Shevatim
Bnei Akiva members throughout the world are each assigned to a Shevet correlated to their age. BANY runs Shabbatonim, BBQs and other reunions for the members of Shevatim that are in grades 5-12.
Manhigei Atid
12th grade students in the New York area are invited to join this cohort of future leaders who work together throughout the year to create programming for themselves, volunteer for the general community, and contribute to the growth and success of Bnei Akiva.
Bogrim
In conjunction with Bnei Akiva of North America, BANY helps coordinate and promote programs for college students in the greater New York area focused on developing leadership and strengthening their connection to Israel.
Summer Programs and Affiliates
Throughout the summer, programs are coordinated by BANY in the Hamptons community of Long Island, NY in conjunction with a local day camp. Many BANY members attend one of the four Bnei Akiva Moshava Camps that are located across North America: Indian Orchard, Wild Rose, Stone, and Ennismore.
HISTORY OF BNEI AKIVA
Bnei Akiva first came into existence in the late 1920's, following World War I. At that time, the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate over Eretz Yisrael (then Palestine). The Jewish pioneers in Eretz Yisrael were struggling, engaged in a Herculean effort to succeed economically and to build their homeland. However, there was another concern as well: the need to redefine the spiritual-cultural identity of the Jewish nation.
These were the years of the Third Aliyah (immigration) to Eretz Yisra’el (1919-1923). This Aliyah was clearly characterized by two elements: economic hardship and the evolution of a strong group of social-minded individuals. The general direction was to create a new Jewish society.
During this period, the Hapoel Hamizrachi workers movement, part of the Mizrachi movement (established in 1901), was founded. Its goal was to organize and unify the few religious laborers who were, at that time, economically deprived and spiritually rejected, and to transform them into a force to be reckoned with. Hapoel Hamizrachi was the active realization of the Religious-Zionist ideals of the Mizrachi movement: “The Land of Israel, for the People of Israel, according to the Torah of Israel.” It dedicated itself to engaging in all aspect of life in Israel, religious and secular, including labor and settlement of the land.
In the winter of 1929, Yechiel Eliash, then an officer of the Brit Olamit shel Torah Va’avoda (“National Alliance of Torah and Labor”), suggested to Hapoel Hamizrachi the establishment of a religious youth movement, with the purpose of strengthening young people’s spirit and organizing them within a proud social framework. Concurrent with the establishment of the movement in Israel, organizations of religious youth operated in the Diaspora. Some of them adopted the name Bnei Akiva and others had appellations such as Hashomer Hadati. In 1958, the Israeli and Diaspora groups merged and the Mazkirut Olamit (World Secretariat) of Bnei Akiva was formed.
