Information

Greetings from our friends

Steve Lurie - SAUPJ National Chairman

In 2012, Netzer ushered in a completely new management body, including new schlichim. These young people continue with the notable leadership roles in the community-wide events on Yom Hazikaron and Yom Hashoah. SAZF support for Netzer, the Progressive Jewish Zionist Youth Movement, is a source of strength. The honours received by Netzer in recent years include recognition for the most Zionistic Programmes and nominations of Madrichim and Shlichim for leading roles in community functions.

Netzer is directly involved in the day to day life of our shuls, running regular youth services, youth activities at religion schools as well as teaching at Reddam School and doing activity work at various other schools in Gauteng and Cape Town. They continue with their Tikkun Olam projects, environmental projects and social outreach programmes as well as being very involved in Mandela Day and Mitzvah Day where they work with the underprivileged youth and the elderly.

Last year’s camp, “Song of the Sea,” was a great success and the South African Zionist Federation and Israel Centre continue to acknowledge this with accolades. Netzer programmes are committed to Reform Zionist ideals. The campsite, set in nature, lends to a vibrant and exciting camp atmosphere while Netzer leaders ensure that our children learn how to share, lead and live the Progressive Jewish dream. By going on a Netzer youth camp, you are not only learning about Judaism, being a good Progressive Jew with high moral values and ethics but it will also teach you about Zionism, and the love for Israel.

On behalf of the South African Union for Progressive Judaism, we wish Netzer and all our youth an exciting, enjoyable and successful camp in 2012.

Maoz Haviv – Mazkir Klali (Chairperson) Netzer Olami / TaMaR
Dear members of Netzer South Africa – Shalom:
Your Machaneh theme this year is "LAZUZ," which in Hebrew means “to move” or “to get from one point to another.” Actually, in Hebrew, “to move” is also "LANUA" and from “LANUA” comes the word "TNUA" – and this is exactly what you are members of: "TNUAT NOAR" or, in English, a "YOUTH MOVEMENT".

This December, you will participate in a summer camp that intends to implement the essence of the movement – to move on: to move towards a better future for each of you, both within the movement and personally, to move on to a more meaningful implementation of Tikkun Olam, and, for each of you, to move in the camp from where you are today towards a better and more meaningful stage of your membership in Netzer Olami.

I hope you really make the most of it, and may this be the most successful joyful and positive camp yet!

Avrom Krengel - Chairman of the South African Zionist Federation

Once again this year, thousands of excited and eager young Jewish students pack their bags and set off for the highlight of the year: Machaneh. And what a wonderful experience awaits you! This is an experience that will remain with you for many years to come – making new friends, renewing old acquaintances, having fun, learning many things and revelling in an atmosphere of Jewish and Zionist values.Your heritage and your future as Jewish youngsters, as well as Israel and its beauty and charm, its appeal and its opportunities, will form a large part of what you will be taught, and what you will imbibe, during your stay.
Once again, I’m happy, on behalf of the South African Zionist Federation to associate myself with this wonderful event – I have no doubt that every participant will return home stimulated and excited – ready to participate in the following year’s activities.
Machaneh has become an important part of our South African youth tradition and I am confident that it will continue to be so for many years to come.
On behalf of everyone at the SA Zionist Federation, I wish you all a successful, happy and stimulating Machaneh.
Eric Beswick- Executive Director of Temple Israel

I am so proud of the fact that my children are carrying on the tradition of my family by being passionate members of Netzer South Africa. I just love seeing their smiling faces coming home after the running around, learning, singing, laughing, dancing, playing, eating, drinking, campfiring, social actioning and all the other stuff that makes Netzer Machaneh the highlight of the year for them.

I would love all Jewish parents to be able to see the unbridled happiness that comes with being a Netzer channie (participant). The leadership of the movement have pulled out all the stops this year to make this a fantastic camp for your kids, so delay your family holidays a little and book your children on the experience of their lives.

The Hanhallah – Camp leadership

Sivan Zeffertt – Rosh Machaneh (Camp Director)

Sivan is currently the Mazkira of Netzer South Africa and the Gauteng Youth Worker. Sivan is a hardworking, open-minded and encouraging human being. She is organised and knows her strengths and weaknesses, which makes for an efficient and thorough leader.  Sivan brings her artistic and expressive outlook on life to Netzer and inspires all of us to do our best. She is fully supported by the rest of the Mazkirut in her role as Rosh Machaneh. As Sivan's favourite author, Neil Gaiman, once wrote: “Everybody has a secret world inside of them.” Sivan is about to unleash her secret and wonderful world and, with the help of her team, run an excellent machaneh.

Nina Hoffman – S’gan Rosh Machaneh Pnimit (Vice Head of Camp -Internal) and Rosh Chinuch (Head of Education)

Nina is a dancer, a singer, a thinker and an educator. She has been a keen Netzernik since she was just 12, and her involvement has kept increasing throughout the years, with her being an active madricha, participating in Shnat Netzer (Netzer’s gap-year programme), and being part of the mazkirut for the past year. She has passion and drive for her year role of Rosh Chinuch (Head of Education) and a great organizational mind for her role on camp. Nina is studying to be a Maths teacher at UCT. Nina’s smile lights up rooms and her enthusiasm motivates those around her to do any task with a good attitude. Marni Riese - S’gan Rosh Machaneh Klali (Vice Head of Camp - External) & Rosh Mitbach (Head of Kitchen)

Marni has spent the past year working as Gizbarit (Head of Finance) for Netzer South Africa. She joined the movement at the tender age of nine and has not looked back since. She finished top three of her class at the International Hotel School, where she is studying Hotel Management and Professional Cookery. Logistics is her passion, and she is highly attentive to the needs of others. On Machaneh Lazuz, she will be heading up the roles of Sgan Rosh Clalit and Rosh Mitbach, putting her skills and knowledge into action for what promises to be a creative and healthy menu.

Dayne Brazil – Rosh Techni (Head of Logistics)

“Dayne the Durbanite - can he fix it!? Dayne the Durbanite - Yes he can!" There could be no better Netzernik to fill the role of Rosh Logistics than Dayne Brazil. He is tech-savvy and practical, always willing to help or lend a very capable hand. Whether it is a blocked drain, faulty electrical gadget, or even a broken heart, Dayne is the one to call! Dayne has been the petrol that has kept Netzer Durban's engine running for many years (He would appreciate the motor reference, too). His energy and love for life is motivating for those with whom he works. Dayne lives, eats and breathes Netzer. His passion and commitment are inspiring, and the movement would not be the same without him.

Shlichim 2012

Leshem Brosh – Rosh Mishlachat (Head of Shlichim) & Cape Town Shaliach:

Leshem, or “Leyshem,” as we like to call him, is the twenty-two year old Capetonian Shaliach. He has been with us since last December, and has been an asset to the movement ever since. He was born and raised in Petah Tikvah, a city just outside of Tel Aviv. Leshem is well versed in Jewish conversation, due to serving in the army as a trainer for a combined course, which included a boot camp course. By the end of his military career he had been promoted to Educational Officer and was in charge of 250 soldiers. With his contagious energy and great sense of humour, Leshem will keep us all motivated and entertained throughout Machaneh.
Yuval Berger – Gauteng Shaliach

Yuval Berger is the newly appointed Jewish Agency Youth Movement Shaliach for Netzer Gauteng. Yuval was born and raised in Haifa. In his military service, Yuval served as a commander in the anti - aircraft and missile forces of the Israeli air force. Prior to coming on shlichut , he worked as a youth counsellor on Kibbutz Yahel in the Arava Desert in southern Israel and took part in Beit Midrash Baderech, a post-army program that includes working with agriculture and living on a kibbutz. Yuval was a Chanich and Madrich in Noar Telem, the Israeli branch of Netzer. We are very excited to be working with him over the next year!