Record numbers on Israel youth tours
A record number of teenagers are currently on Israel summer tours, with youth group Noam recording its highest-ever number of participants.
A total of 1,317 16-year-olds are taking part in the annual month-long trips around Israel, which conclude in the middle of August, an eight percent rise on last year. The previous record was 1,272, set in 2008.
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"Our focus though is not just on participant numbers; high numbers can come and go in the youth movement world. Our aim is to provide top quality informal education and create a safe space for young Jewish people to meet and form a community together."
Bnei Akiva recorded its second-highest total of 185 participants, compared to 140 last year. Mazkir Zak Jeffay said: "This year we sent six groups to Israel, led by 13 of our finest madrichim. They are the key to the movement's on going success in providing quality religious education for young people."
In total there are 10 programmes currently in Israel: BA, Noam, Ezra (with separate tours for boys and girls), FZY, Habonim Dror, Hanoar Hatzioni combined with Maccabi GB, JLGB, LJY-Netzer, BBYO and RSY-Netzer.
The cross-movement Mega Event, which takes place today in Herzliya, will see 4,500 youngsters from around the world come together to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Theodore Herzl.
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