(Courtesy of Bnei Akiva) On November 29, 1947, the United Nations voted to partition Palestine, which led to the establishment of the state of Israel. On November 29, 2018, a monumental conference took place, “Kenes Ha’Atid,” attended by all the Moshava camp directors from across the US and Canada along with almost 100 Bnei Akiva board members, program directors, shlichim and student leaders. As Rav Shaul Feldman, executive director of Bnei Akiva of the US & Canada, put it, “The conference brought together all of Bnei Akiva’s finest and most passionate leaders highlighting each one’s strengths, proving to us that when we come together, there is an incredible power and impact we can have on our more than 6,000 youth and families.” After a year-long audit and strategic planning initiative, this strategic planning conference was the climax to propel the future and continued success of Bnei Akiva summer and year-round programs that touch the lives of many campers and students each year.
Attending the conference were all the Moshava & Bnei Akiva summer program directors.
The weekend took place at the Dovid Oved Retreat Center in Running Springs, California, also home to Bnei Akiva’s Camp Moshava Alevy, overlooking the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains. The conference was the first of its kind—bringing together all the camp directors and leaders from across the country and Canada. Amongst the renowned guest speakers was Dr. David Bryfman, chief innovation officer (and recently named CEO) of the Jewish Education Project. Bryfman presented an eye-opening glimpse into Generation Z, which served as a lens for the rest of the conference sessions. Dr. Steve Safier, EVP of strategy & impact at A.J. O’Connor Associates, framed the conference with an initial review of the year-long research project and final wrap-up of the conference, along with facilitating many of the breakout sessions. Two leaders in the Jewish camping pace, Jeremy Fingerman, CEO of Foundation for Jewish Camp, and Rabbi Todd Zeff, director of Legacy Heritage’s Nachshon Project, demonstrated how a strong Jewish future can be built through a transformative Jewish summer.
The conference was also used as a platform to introduce an internal restructure and new hires at the Bnei Akiva of the US & Canada’s national office. Among the changes, Director of Operations Bini Dachs was renamed as assistant director. Former Bnei Akiva shaliach James Williams was brought on as director of administration and as regional director of Florida, the first of multiple planned regional director rollouts. Also introduced was newly appointed Director of Marketing and Communications Natalie Vinegar.
Twenty-seven roshim, high school leaders, and bogrim, college students, participated in the high-level strategic conference, staying true to Bnei Akiva’s mission as a movement devoted to youth empowerment and leadership. Rav Shaul Feldman said, “We’re no longer just a youth movement, we are a youth movement in the 21st century. Youth today don’t just want to have a good time; they want to be at the forefront of creating what that time should look like and ultimately leaving an impact on their communities and the world. They are doers and entrepreneurs from a very young age. And that is exactly what Bnei Akiva is about—providing a successful platform for youth to engage in leadership opportunities through the lens of Torah V’Avodah.”
Unlike other youth organizations, Bnei Akiva is run hand in hand with its youth. It’s the students that are planning and managing the events, sessions, shabbatons and the marketing to go along with them. The students also brought incredible ruach to the weekend, providing a true Bnei Akiva-style Shabbat. From Kabbalat Shabbat to student-led zemirot and oneg, the entire weekend was marked by ruach, passion and dedication. All in all, it was an event to be remembered and will pave the way for Bnei Akiva and the Moshava camps to work towards their common goal of strengthening the movement to reach more students and enrich programming across the US and Canada, and ultimately serving the community at large.
