What a privilege it is to be young and Jewish!
Jamie Hansen, a leader in the Netzer youth movement, converted to Judaism last year at the age of 23. He says, โThis was a long spiritually empowering journey which led me to falling in love with my community and my religion.โ
Jamie highlights the fact that he is part of a community that emphasises our role as being forces for positive change in the world.
Exploring Jewish identity in a post-October 7th world
SAUJS Committee Member and Habonim leader, Brad Gottschalk, acknowledges the changes in the world in recent years, saying:
โSometimes it is hard to realise that we are in some of the darkest days in our history. My generation has never had to tread too close to historic crossroads โ the beginning decades of the 21st century have mostly been stable. But then, quickly: global political instability, a rapidly uncertain South Africa, a global pandemic, and the new rise of Antisemitism โ the course of my generation has certainly changed!
But I still see so much resilience, creativity and care in my age group. Weโre criticised for being removed from the real world โ I want to challenge this! There hasnโt yet been a generation so passionate about social action or climate change, and one that puts this care into practice. We have the world at our fingertips and are more connected than ever โ but the cause for concern over our access to technology is the very thing which has opened the world to us.
Working with Jewish Youth in Cape Town over the last three years, I realise that we are lucky that we have spaces based in reality. Machaneh is a time capsule which offers a healthy space our kids need. The Habo Machaneh space is equally fun and engaging โ thereโs no other space where you can go from exploring Jewish Identity in a post-October 7th world straight to midnight pranks with friends.โ
Listen to our youth
Rachael Sara serves as Youth Director of the Cape Town Progressive Jewish Community. She comments:
โAs someone working in community leadership spaces, I get to learn from the Rabbis and โEldersโ of the community which is really a privilege, but I also get to work with and learn from the youth in our community who are certainly more wise than we give them credit for.
As we approach Youth Day, I encourage us all to make an active effort to listen to the young people in our lives: what they are saying with their head (their words, their experiences); their hearts (their emotions); and their feet (their values and what is important to them). Perhaps we will see that they too can be our teachers and our guides in this complex and diverse community.โ
โข Read theย June 2024 issueย โย Clickย hereย to start reading.
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