28 December 2016

LJY-Netzer, the youth movement of Liberal Judaism, has had another standout year – with its trademark mix of everything from campaigns and education to camps and events. Below, we pick out five key LJY-Netzer moments from 2016:

1. A new movement worker team
In April, Hannah Stephenson joined the LJY-Netzer team as our newest movement worker. Since then Hannah has been working seamlessly alongside Sam Alston and Anna Craven, who stayed on after a very successful first year of movement work. Hannah, a member at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue, said: “After 14 years of LJY-Netzer, I still can’t get enough. I have an undeniable love for the movement. It has given me friends, values, beliefs and unforgettable experiences. It has been my life and shaped the person I am today.”

2. Movements warn on march racism
In June, LJY-Netzer joined with three other youth movements to issue an open letter condemning the racism connected to the annual Yom Yerushalayim march, celebrating the 1967 liberation of Jerusalem. LJY – along with Noam, RSY-Netzer, and Habonim Dror – called on the Israeli authorities to guard against “the expression of racist attitudes” during this year’s march. The movements have urged that the event be marked as “a celebration of the vibrant, diverse and meaningful city we know Jerusalem to be.

3. Members enjoy recognition and success
LJY-Netzer’s Ben Combe was honoured at the Jewish Volunteering Network Awards for his fantastic work, all year round, to deliver numerous high quality youth events. Meanwhile Jonty Leibowitz was elected to NUS Conference as a Cambridge delegate and Lauren Kelies was elected as social action officer at Leeds University’s Jewish Society. Mazel tov to all!

4. LJY-Netzer’s Anna helps launch Mitzvah Day at Parliament
LJY-Netzer movement worker Anna Craven helped to launch Mitzvah Day 2016, the UK’s biggest faith-based day of social action, at an event in the Houses of Parliament. At the November launch, Anna spoke to 20 Parliamentarians, from all sides of the political spectrum, about Liberal Judaism, LJY-Netzer and all the incredible projects happening in our communities around the UK on Mitzvah Day.

5. Youth vow to ‘Reclaim Zionism’ at Veidah
Veidah is LJY-Netzer’s decision-making event, where members aged 14-25 directly shape the direction and ideology of the youth movement. Many motions were passed in 2016 and, with a focus on important anniversaries for Israel coming up in 2017, ‘Reclaiming Zionism’ was chosen as the movement’s Theme of the Year.