Posts by FZY Year Course

FZY yearcourse group raise money for Yemin Orde

FZY Year Course — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 12:50:16 +0000

Last night FZY and Young Judaea took to the streets of Jerusalem to raise money for Yemin Orde, a youth village destroyed by the fire in the North of Israel. The Israeli public is horrified by the wildfire and we felt a sense of duty to contribute in whatever way possible. We’ve just began the Jerusalem semester of the Year Course programme and we are eager to get involved with charitable campaigns that fulfill FZY’s emphasis on the importance of tzedakah.

A group of us took the initiative to plan a fundraiser and we made a group inviting all chanichim to join us on Ben Yehuda Street to collect money. We had a great turn out and there was a lot of positive energy amongst the group as we sung, dressed up (thanks Zac and Rob Sciama!) and handed out home-made cakes in exchange for donations. Passersby were very responsive to our group of British/ American teenagers, all wearing the same shirts, singing and shouting ‘La’azor le’Carmel!’ Israelis know of the desperate situation and really appreciated our efforts, so it didn’t take too much convincing to get them to donate.

We moved our pitch to the Chanukah concert nearby where the lead singer of the Israeli band Shotei Hanevuah was playing. We worked our way through the crowds with Chanukah doughnuts and a bucket, and three FZYniks even went on stage to promote our cause. Many people knew of FZY/ Young Judaea and were happy to speak to us and find out what we are doing throughout the year. There was a strong sense of unity and generosity shared by the Israeli public and the volunteers last night and we’ve raised over 6000 shekalim, which is well over our initial aim of 3000 NIS.

Well done to all the volunteers who performed a mitzvah this Chanukah.
Chag Sameach.

FZY gap year group visits Sderot

FZY Year Course — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:27:11 +0000

Around 50 members of the FZY year course programme visited the Israeli town of Sderot, near the border with the Gaza Strip, to find out about life under the constant threat of rocket fire.

A Message to all 6th Formers...

FZY Year Course — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:37:39 +0000

Written by Jodie Collett
15 November, 2010

As the years have gone by FZY has had numerous recruiters persuading people to go on Year Course. Some people know that Year Course is for them where as others are indecisive and need help making up their mind. I was one of those last minute people that completed my form after everyone else. It took a lot of questions that I ran over and over in my mind. What if I don’t like it? What if no one likes me? How can I cook, clean and even just live by myself!? This is something I could not comprehend.

I have now been on Year Course for 2½ months and I have never been happier or more proud with the decision I made. In the time I have spent here I have met people from all over the world, that already I know will be my friends for life. I have been so inspired by the lives in which Israelis lead and their courage to stand by what they believe. The way of life is something I never thought I’d experience before and it has really changed my perspective on the way I want my life to turn out. Spending two weeks taking part in army basic training gave me just a taster of what Israelis have to go through as well as volunteering on an army base for people with special needs showed me that there really is a place for everyone.

As well as all of this, living away from home out of my comfort zone and far from luxury at some points has made me such a strong and independent individual. There is no other programme which is so structured; there is always someone there if you need something, not just friends but your madrichim too.

If you are thinking about going on FZY Year Course, take this from someone that took the longest to make a decision, the person with the most questions and certainly the most stressing. It will be the best year of your life.

Ellis Bolle blogs about the FZY trip to the North during Sukkot

FZY Year Course — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:36:06 +0000

October 4, 2010

Shalom to everyone at home!

This past week all the Brits ventured up North and we were introduced to a different environment and a different way of living than the one we have already experienced in the South.

Our first trip took us to the Lebanon border where we stood on the mountains of the North Galilee and viewed the stunning panorama of ex-Hezbollah headquarters in Lebanon. We were given a tour of the region by someone who knows the area well, having fought in the Second Lebanon War, and who currently works on border patrol. The talks were insightful and we learnt how Arab communities in the North live in peace beside their neighbouring Israeli communities, but have also suffered as a result of rocket attacks from the North – something I didn’t really know before.

At night, me, Gilad, Orrie, Daniel Dangoor, Tash Niman and Ellis Sharpe slaved over a hot bbq to prepare food for the 50 of us staying in the North. The next day we went to meet our Northern Israeli host families and set off for a hike towards an amazing (slightly painful to stand under) waterfall in the mountains. Kayaking down the Jordan River was a laugh; splashing the madrichim every time we saw their boat glide past was particularly amusing.

A highlight, for me, was staying with the Israeli host families in their small moshavim. I love their laid back attitude to having strangers in their house and the way they stress that you can just go and have a nose in their fridge whenever you are hungry. There is a very special sense of community in Livnim; the moshav of 100 families where I stayed. The families’ leave their doors open, take milk out of each other’s fridge and pull together to look after their village; a refreshing contrast to life in London suburbs.

In retrospect, I didn’t realise how much I would enjoy the trip up North. I suppose my mind was focused on starting Marva and having some time in Arad after Sar-El and the Chaggim. I soon realised that my initial lack of enthusiasm was completely unjustified, because all the activities: the kayaking, the boat trip, the bowling, making our own pitta, falafel and humous and our time in Tzfat, were incredibly fun. We met some great people and I felt that the trip really brought the Brits close together.

Simchat Torah in Tzfat was probably my favourite festival in the busy month full of holy festivals. The energy and atmosphere were just unmatchable! The boys went to a holy mikveh – which was a new experience for many of us. It was amazing that many of us – who generally come from secular homes – were dancing with the torah and singing and drinking together with all the pious Jews of Tzfat. More than once I found myself holding a torah, plonked in the middle of a group of crazy dancing men, singing the same songs and feeling an incredible sense of spirituality. It was a very unique, lively and special experience for all of us, I’m sure everyone would agree.

The end of a fantastic week signalled the end of our first month on gap year. We’ve been away from home for a month already! I hope I speak for everyone when I say that by now, we feel comfortable and settled into life in Israel and have really enjoyed our first busy month here. Home is always on our minds, but we can’t wait for the start of new things, like Marva, a regular routine and the volunteering projects.

Chag Sameach and love to all, Ellis Bolle

Talya Curtis on her Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur

FZY Year Course — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:33:53 +0000

September 21, 2010

Both Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are festivals where every Jew is required to reflect on and make sense of their lives, yet with the focus on what they want to achieve and improve in the coming year. For me this idea of personal aspiration and change was much more relevant than any other Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur I have experienced. Joel’s peulah (activity) on Rosh Hashanah stressed the importance of the Jewish symbolisms of each fruit, while also reminding us that this coming year will be different. Silly bands were placed in the middle of the circle and each one of us was instructed to collect one for the person sitting next to us and then relate the shape to a blessing we wish upon them for the New Year. It became clear to me that while this year is our own gap year, and our own time to grow, we are one group on a journey that will undoubtedly change us. With this in my mind I was ready to experience my first ever Rosh Hashanah in Israel.

Some friends and I stayed in my flat in Herzliya for the Chag and were able to go to an old age home for Shul. The services were inspiring to be a part of as the elderly members immediately embraced us. Their warm hospitality was much appreciated by us six girls, whose families were thousands of miles away.

Back in Arad, daily life was rekindled, yet we were already mentally preparing for Yom Kippur. Our peulah on Yom Kippur differed immensely to that on Rosh Hashanah. This time we were forced to solely look at ourselves in an interrogative manner. The lights were turned off, with only a few candles to light up the room. We were each given a booklet to read that asked us if we have ever stopped to look outside the framework of our lives and figure out what we have done so far. It then concluded by focusing on the future and telling us to “Choose our way.”

This Yom Kippur, like most Yom Kippurs, I had a lot of time to think and despite being hungry, thirsty and slightly bored in Shul, I found myself excited for the future, for my year in Israel on FZY. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur could not have taken place at a better time as we were all able to reflect and look forward. By doing so I am able to fully appreciate what is ahead of me; the opportunity to experience life in Israel, help the community around me and grow as a person.

Deborah Marmot’s Speech at the Year Course Opening Ceremony

FZY Year Course — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:31:49 +0000

Posted on September 5, 2010

Four years ago, I remember sitting in my kvutsah room on Fzy Ofek camp, and my leaders told me that they had just come back from the best 9 months of their lives and that, please g-d one day, I would be able to experience what they were talking about.

Now, we are here at the start of year course and I couldn’t be more excited to spend a year in one of the world’s most amazing places, learning the language, eating the food, listening to the music, meeting the people, helping vulnerable communities and experiencing life in the army. I will never take for granted how incredible it is that the Jews have their own state, and although peace has not yet been achieved, I have faith that it will be achieved.

We are all so lucky to be part of a youth movement, especially ones with such strong beliefs as FZY and Young Judea. It’s amazing to be in a place with so many other like-minded people who are all working towards a common goal; creating a secure and flourishing Jewish homeland. I love the fact that FZY is a pluralist movement and that people from such diverse backgrounds can come together with the same ideals, and use the best of their strengths to achieve their dreams.

I have often struggled to explain to others just how important the state of Israel is to the Jewish people. I have faced discussions with my classmates where I have not adequately been able to defend Israel. This year, I am going to learn exactly what it means, and when I go to university, I know that Year course will have given me the confidence, advocacy skills and information stand up for what I know to be the truth.

One matter close to the heart of every FZY chanich is that of the MIA’s, in particular Gilad Shalit. Last Saturday marked Gilad’s 24th birthday, and his 4th in captivity. Together, we must unite to raise awareness of this situation and do the most that we can to bring him back home.

I can’t tell you how excited I am for the next 9 months: meeting other young people from all over the world, learning, having fun and forming a close relationship with this special country.

A little introduction...

FZY Year Course — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:28:39 +0000

Hello wonderful people!

If you are reading this then kol hakavod to you, I’m a pretty big fan of yours already!

My name is Emma Nagli and this is officially the first of many blogs that will come all the way from the FZY Bayit in Hendon, straight to your screen wherever you are in the world!

I am here to introduce myself to you as the new FZY Year Course Recruiter. So, my name’s Emma, 23 years old, from Harrow Weald, Middlesex. I have been involved in FZY since I was 13; with Sunday Stanmore Zerah meetings giving my FZY journey a kick start. I went on Ofek, then KBC, onto Kesher, and KBC again. These were followed by Tour in 2003 and then Year Course 05-06… A keano, I’m well aware know!
Year Course, by far the best year of my life to date, instilled in me the passion to lead camp (which I’ve now led for 4 summers both as a madricha and a rakezet) and to lead Tour in 2008. I was also involved year round whilst studying Advertising and Management in Birmingham.

The year post graduation was a big one for me, a rollercoaster ride to say the least. That year has put me where I am today, sitting at my Recruiter desk in the Bayit… I was a Year Course madricha in 2009/10 based in Jerusalem, Israel. This was certainly a year that I would not change for the world.

I decided to apply for the Year Course Recruiter position as I can’t seem to shake this love for the programme, what do you expect from someone who has essentially done it twice?!

Year Course is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity, living in Israel for 9 months, thrown into experiences that you would never even imagine. Year Course provides you with so many opportunities in such a variety of fields, opening you eyes to different cultures and societies, providing you with lifelong skills, friendships and memories.

My little blurb above definitely does not do Year Course justice. This is why I urge you to follow me throughout the year on my blog. I will be using this as a tool to update you all on the Year Course programme, to give you advice and top tips… To really get you thinking about the best decision you WILL ever make!

Feel free to contact me through our website, www.yearcourse.org.uk, or directly on the number provided on the ‘Contact Year Course’ page. I am here to provide you with all the information that you need, to answer any questions that you have, and to give assistance with your application process!

Please do not hesitate to call!

Much love, Emma x

FZY on Year Course - Siyur to Sderot

FZY Year Course — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 15:33:38 +0000

It may have been peace and quiet now, but shrapnel wounds in the surrounding buildings and sight of bomb shelter after bomb shelter standing alongside the everyday homes, shops and restaurants were timely reminders of darker times. This trip to Sderot had really taken the Arad participants to one of the key battlegrounds in Israel’s recent history. Standing no more than a few kilometres from the Hamas controlled territory of the Gaza strip, the town had been under constant rocket fire for close to 10 years. The attacks may have dried up in the meantime; but the scars will remain for far longer.

The tour of the town was led by the head of Sderot Media; a non Governmental organisation that aims to tell the story of what has been going on in Sderot through the medium of videos and pictures. Having someone of such experience lead us round would prove to be invaluable, as the little anecdotes he was able to provide helped really paint a picture of what life was like there.

We started our tour at the local police station. Here we were able to see the reminents of just some of the rockets that have been fired into Sderot over the past 10 years – the rockets categroised by their colour that indicate the terrorist organisation responsible for them. Seeing all those rockets lying there, in the knowledge that this was only a fraction of what the town has seen really was an eye opener.

We then moved on to a children’s playground; unique to anywhere in the world. At first glance it looks like any playground you would see on the steets of New York or London – but on closer inspection it was revealed that some of the toys (such as a giant catepillar) actually doubled up as bomb shelters. The fact that children have had to grow up with this as a reality really was heart breaking, and seeing this playground brought it home.

In Sderot, when there is a rocket attack the residents have exactly 15 seconds to get to a shelter, otherwise they they can be exposed. 15 seconds…it really is nothing.

The reason for this was really brought home to us when we were taken to a viewpoint overlooking the Gaza strip. It really was so close. So close, but yet a different world in so many respects.

We concluded our tour by going for lunch in the centre of the town – something that we all really wanted to do in order to do our little bit to improve economics in Sderot, after all FZY Year Coursers in the past have been at the forefront of campaigning for awareness on behalf of he people of Sderot. It may be quiet now – but in this part of the world, who knows how long that will last for?

See pictures from the vist here