COMMUNITY NEWS
Netzer
- By Amy Groer
These past few months Netzer Durban has been a hive of activity! In July Netzer held a Father’s Day Ice Skating event down at the Durban Ice rink. It was a lovely event with the kids skating away and fathers on the ice. There were a few falls here and there but it all went down with a laugh and memories were made!
Our older Nezterniks flew off to the freezing winter that one finds in Johannesburg to attend Netzers annual Winter Camp. This was a cold yet special time camping and bonding. The Netzerniks learnt more about the history and the different ways that Netzer works. Our future leaders bonded and worked together to move the movement forward.
Netzer also participated in the SAUPJ conference that was held in Cape Town. Our current and new coming leaders met with leaders of the progressive community and found ways to better our movement. It was a meaningful conference with everyone coming back ready for the final part of the year.
During September Netzer held a Pokémon Go event down at the beachfront, which saw our youth walking and talking together while catching the ever so famous Pokémon. On the walk we enjoyed some ice-cream and the sunlight. It was a lovely event and although technology was involved, it was good to see everyone enjoying the beach and its surroundings.
We also held a craft session at the end of the month Brocha at the DPJC, which involved making honey pots for the upcoming Yom Tov. This was loads of fun, and we all enjoyed making Yom Tov crafts.
Netzer Machaneh 2016 has been launched and we are so excited for our summer camp! For any information on this please feel free to email dbn@netzer.org.za
Netzer Durban would like to wish the Durban community Shanah Tovah and well over the fast!
Amy Groer
Rosh Netzer Durban
COMMUNITY NEWS
Netzer
Netzer has had a fun filled year! During the High holy days we got together to start making Sukkot decorations! This was attended by most of the children in the congregation and we all had a blast! From paper chains to a beautiful canvas painted by the girls. We all got together again to start decorating the sukkah with fruit and our decorations. It was a festive occasion and was loads of fun!
In the beginning of November our Netzer Shaliach, Yakov Zinger, came up from Cape Town to spend a Shabbat with the kids and the congregation. We showed him our true Durban Magic and had an amazing sleepover! With the help from Zach Swartz and Aiden Francis we pulled off a delicious Shabbos dinner, fun games and all round fabulous time! With kids coming for the activities only and some for everything we had about 16 kids for the weekend! It was a fantastic way to end the year and to start getting ready for Machaneh!
We at Netzer would also like to take this time to wish everyone a Chag Samach and have a great Holiday!
COMMUNITY NEWS
Netzer
- Amy Groer
On the 9th of May Netzer hosted the annual Lag B’omer braai. With salads, entertainment and great company it was an evening that was greatly enjoyed. The Netzer kids roasted marshmallows, played games and sat around the braai. Once the adults had left, Netzer held the also loved Lag B’omer sleepover. The kids watched a movie, woke up extra early, much to my enjoyment, on Sunday morning for breakfast, and spent the morning exploring their Jewish Identity and why they love to be Jewish. It was a weekend of great fun!
Shavout graced us just days later and knowing the kids all too well, I opted to make cheese blintzes with the Netzerniks. Many didn’t even know what they were to start off but it was great fun explaining, eating and bonding! The turnout was fantastic. With well over 20 kids, the room was buzzing and the atmosphere amazing!
COMMUNITY NEWS
Netzer
Kendyll Jacobson – Netzer National Mazkira
Netzer’s management team, the Mazkirut, met in Durban over the long weekend in May. With eager minds and the main goal of a successful camp in mind, we all sat around the table at the DPJC library.
Each day had a theme which covered the various topics and tasks at hand. Friday was Mazkirut Day where we reviewed the Mazkirut system and fixed any problems, praised all the hard work that has been done and established ways to make the rest of the year the best one yet. Saturday after shul was Camp Day where we all brainstormed ways to improve machaneh this year, set up our leadership structure and made the important decisions of dates, hanhallah (camp executive), name and theme. Finally Sunday was allocated to Winter Camp and Moving Forward Day.
All in all we now have our Winter Camp systems in place, our Summer camp dates, themes, leadership and roles in place and the motivation to make this year the best year of Netzer events yet!
Besides all the work, we also managed to sneak in some bonding time and beach time which rounded off our weekend. In addition, we ran the Shabbat service on Saturday morning for the congregation, which allowed us to showcase what we do at Netzer, and got everyone singing, humming or tapping along to our upbeat tunes.
Netzer’s motto is Nilmad V’na’Aseh, We Will Learn and We Will Do; this weekend we did! The future of Netzer is shining bright, so stay tuned for more exciting adventures.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Netzer
On the 24th of April the Netzer kids got together to honour and celebrate Israel’s 67th Birthday. With a great turnout of kids, we all sat together making Israeli flags and personalised party hats (What is a party without party hats?).
The netzerniks gave personal experiences of their time in Israel and we all shared facts and interesting stories about our beloved homeland. While everyone was finishing off their party hats, we had a quick game of ‘The Weakest Linkâ€. I asked questions about Israel and whoever got it right got a small prize. The kids loved it and I am sure they all went home learning something new and interesting about the holy land.
It was an evening of laughs, talking and bonding. I am sure I am not only speaking for myself when I say that I thoroughly enjoyed this event. We all bonded a bit more and we can’t wait for our next get together.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Netzer
- Amy Groer, Rosh Durban
On the 7th of February 2015 the Durban kids all got together to reminisce about Machaneh 2014 and to start 2015 with a BANG! Before getting started, a round or two of classic Netzer games were played. From the trustworthy BANG! to the ever famous NINGA! A Netzer event can’t start without these. They are a definite crowd pleaser and all the kids love it. Surrounded by friends we all painted and decorated our very own Netzer mugs. The trustworthy Kendyll Jacobson made sure the Netzer symbol was on each mug and the rest was history. Stories were told about camp and memories were shared. With some laughs and (thankfully) no broken mugs, we had very unique, colourful and special mugs that everyone was very proud of. Kendyll also had a surprise for the Durban kids, Durban Netzer hoodies! The hoodies were a gift from Kendyll as her time as running the Durban part of Netzer had come to an end.
Our Purim celebrations were a hit, as per usual. Starting in the Shul, the Cheder kids read out a short and very sweet story of Esther and the very wicked Haman. We all then moved up to the main hall were we enjoyed yummy hot dogs and delicious hamantashen, filled with chocolate of course, and we had our fancy dress competition which is always great fun. The kids then went off with Kendyll Jacobson, Dayne Brazil and me, three generations of Netzer Durban Roshim under the same roof, where we played games, laughed, sang and just enjoyed the amazing time that is Purim.
All in all it has been a great first three months to the year and I cannot wait to see what lies ahead!
Netzer also would like to wish everyone a Chag Pesach Sameach and enjoy the matzah!
COMMUNITY NEWS
Netzer
- Kendyll Jacobson
Netzer SA celebrated 35 years of fun, family and learning. After months and months of preparation and counting down, Netzer’s summer machaneh of 2014 finally arrived. All our channichim made their way down to Glen Cairn, Cape Town on the 11th of December for the festivities to begin. About 60 kids from Durban, Joburg and Cape Town participated in camp this year.
The madrichim body - made up of 20 young volunteers – met from the 7th of December to finalise the activities and schedule to ensure that every day was packed to the brim with fun and education in relation to Netzer’s five main ideological pillars.
We also had the highly anticipated ‘Big Days’, which were Colour Wars, Unity Day, Tiyul and Tikkun Day. Our Tiyul is normally a hike up a mountain but we changed it up and had a beach walk along Long Beach – on the way we stopped at a shipwreck, had lunch and had a ma’amad service. Unity Day saw us exploring Israel and South Africa and what it means to be a Zionist in the Diaspora. We also had a 35th birthday visitors’ day Shabbat on Friday the 19th. Parents of Netzer, bogrim (graduates), Rabbonim, progressive congregations and friends of Netzer all came and participated in the most inspiring Kabbalat Shabbat followed by Shabbat dinner and speeches. This event captured the essence of Netzer and left everyone feeling inspired about the rest of camp.
I think it is safe to say that our six Durban kids and two madrichim had the best time and we will all be heading back this year.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Netzer
- Kendyll Jacobson
The Netzer Mazkirut (management committee) had their annual seminar in Johannesburg from first 1st to the 6th of July. This was then followed by the national winter camp, Imagination Seminar, with grades 10 - 12.
The Mazkirut reviewed the last 6 months of the year, bonded and went through many different topics. This time is always an intense time, and often leaves everyone highly strung. This year, while difficult, was also really productive and left us all with confidence for the next 6 months of the year.
The other purpose of seminar is to put things in place in for Summer camp in December. This was a very exciting task!
On Monday the 7th six madrichim (leaders from grade 10 - 12) joined us from Joburg, Durban and Cape Town. Over the four days of their stay we taught hadracha (leadership skills) as well as introduced the idea of us bonding and working together. Finally we also had a day of Kinnus, where we voted on amendments and new proposals regarding Netzer’s operations and ideology. All of the motions proposed were passed and this was extremely positive.
All in all, the first two weeks of July were a huge success for Netzer South Africa and the future is looking bright.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Netzer
Kendyll Jacobson
After a short hiatus of a year, Netzer Durban brought back the annual Lag B’Omer sleepover. The build up to this event was one of excitement. The madrichim had planned a fun program and the chanichim who replied all seemed keen and excited to come.
Saturday morning, the 17th of May, we all sat in shul together, filling up an entire row! The brocha afterwards also emanated the youthful buzz that was starting to build up. Finally, after the last parent had left and our tummies filled sufficiently, the games began!
Things like Kung Fu Ninja and Wah! were but a few intro games that led to even the newer kids being victorious. As it was Shabbos we had Seudah in the courtyard where, as per Netzer tradition, we learnt things. Here we learnt about what and who Netzer is and how we function - information which would be needed in a game later on.
The annual Lag B’Omer braai which is co-hosted by Netzer was to take place on Saturday evening after Havdallah, which meant all the kids would be a part of the process of setting up and running the event. We made the most amazing mini bonfires for the centerpieces of our tables, from sticks and cellophane as well as other decorations. Finally at 6pm, the Rabbi and all the guests arrived, and Havdallah commenced. Shortly afterwards, the braais were lit up!
Stephen Abrahams and Stan Lipschitz entertained us for the evening, along with Ronnie Serjeant making an appearance. Dylan Cohen also serenaded the crowd with his guitar and ‘newer’ music. All in all the evening’s entertainment was sublime!
There was no need for wake up the next morning as everyone was bright eyed and bushy tailed at 7am, ready for the fun of Sunday. There definitely wasn’t any disappointment there! Games, snacks, ma’amad (our daily prayer service) and more snacks were some of the highlights. None of the 10 kids wanted to go home!
The greatest part about Netzer, for me, is the fact that it doesn’t matter whether you are brand new or an old-timer, you manage to fit right in very comfortably and make the most amazing friends. This was only emphasized during our 24 hours. Netzer Durban is on track to success.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Netzer
Kendyll Jacobson
Purim at Temple David was nothing but a success once again. We even had special guest appearances from Elsa the snow princess, the three witches from Macbeth, the Wolf of Wall Street and the Mad Hatter. Some might say it was a star studded affair!
Amy Groer and I helped the cheder children act out the story of Esther and Purim after the Megillah reading, I think it is safe to say we have a few potential Academy Award winners in the making. After the affairs in the shul we all headed up to the hall for the best dressed competition, the great wining and dining and of course to get our hands on the delicious hamentashen.
The three judges for the best dressed competition contemplated long and hard before choosing the winners, all of whom deserved nothing less. Everyone really out did themselves this year.
Finally after all the formalities, the fun could begin. This year Netzer decided to run a different type of carnival. We teamed up with a programme in Israel that sends Mishloach Manot to soldiers in the IDF along with cards and messages from people around the world. We had a station set up where the kids could write letters and learn about this programme; this was run by Amy Groer. Liam Shapira ran the more active station for the kids who were more energetic where they played KungFu Ninja. Upon being ‘out’ the kids came to my station where we played the delicious Spin Tasty game. Jordan Shapira helped me with this station as well as the apple bobbing station.
Everyone left with a full stomach, energy on a high all the while having made a difference in someone else’s life. I believe the mitzvot of Purim were wonderfully fulfilled and here is to next year having as much success!
COMMUNITY NEWS
MACHANEH NETTIVIM: BACK TO THE FUTURE
Kendyll Jacobson, Rosh Netzer Durban
Netzer Camp 2013
Once again, for 2 weeks the Netzer South Africa family was reunited in Glen Cairn. Machaneh Nettivim:Back to the Future, began on the 9th of December with a bang! Our 4 Durban kids and 2 madrichim all were ecstatic to be back with everyone. A week before camp started, Liam Shapira and myself arrived in Cape Town to attend a-guard.
Here we planned activities, bonded as a new group of leadership and went over the final details for the upcoming two weeks of machaneh.
This year we had a very small camp but when we all sat down for a meal or prayer service it did not feel small at all, if anything our power and ruach (spirit) was stronger than ever! Our ‘big’ days this year included a new day, South Africa day. This alongside Israel Day, Tiyul (our hike), a very hot but beautiful Tikkun Day (our social action day) and Colour Wars. There was definitely a tie between Colour Wars and Tiyul for the best day!
This year we also said goodbye – on an informal level – to five of our older Netzer madrichim. Four of the five went on shnat together and all of them were vital in the running of Netzer through-out the years. However we all know that it is not the end of their Netzer journey; they will always be a part of the wonderful group of bogrim (‘graduates’) that we often call upon.
Our theme of pathways back to the future allowed for channichim to explore the past, learn from it and see how it shapes the future as well as look at themselves currently to learn more about who they are. Retrospection, introspection and a little bit of fortune telling were just some of the ways the kids (and leaders) were able to learn and grow at machaneh.
One thing I learned was that even though Durban is smallest branch of Netzer, we still have the most amazing and talented kids. Our 4 kids made the biggest impact and every maddie who reported back to me, told me just how much they loved our kids.
I know I speak for everyone when I say this was the best camp in a while and set the bar very high for the upcoming year of Netzer!
Netzer South Africa
Netzer Durban Sleepover
Kendyll Jacobson
Netzer Durban, after a far too long break, finally had a sleepover again! On Saturday the 2nd of November all the kids’ sitting cheder in suddenly had it dawn upon them that the sleepover was today! After the shul service and brocha, 10 of us met in the shul hall and played some name games and started off our 24 hours of kef!
By the time the late afternoon had rolled around, there were eight of us, all very ready to learn and bond. This was done through an activity about Havdallah and the meaning of each aspect. This then resulted in the kids decorating Kiddush cups and making their own spice containers. We kept to tradition by playing a round of Gangashlach, in which the kids answer general knowledge questions about Israel, South Africa, Netzer and Hebrew – for points – all which they had learned earlier on in the day.
After a meaningful and moving Havdallah (in the rain) we sat down as a ‘family’ and painted a Netzer Durban banner! After dinner there was a fun game, a movie and then bed. Breakfast on Sunday started off with videos by the Maccabeats and ended off with a powerful birkat hamazon.
Nobody really wanted to go home, not after having spent a wonderful weekend with their newly found Netzer family. More of these events are SURE to happen!
Netzer South Africa
Netzer has lauched its publicity campaign for its summer camp, this year called Machaneh Nettivim. Nettivim means pathways, and this year the camp will focus the young campers’ attention on the choice of paths that they will be taking for their future. The pathways of the past are just as important as they have shaped who these young people are. The camp will explore the idea that each of us is the shaper of our own destiny. The Nettivim that lie ahead are exciting, full of challenges, are a product of what has come before, are waiting for us to carve them out, and are ours to create. Camp runs from 9th – 23rd December 2013.
For further details contact Kendyll Jacobson kendyll.j@hotmail.com
Netzer South Africa
Netzer Winter Machaneh Chakirah
Kendyll Jacobson, Rosh Netzer Durban
Chakirah, exploring. Netzer South Africa recently held their Winter Camp in Durban, this was the first national event to be held in Durban for 8 years and the first national winter camp in three years.
The four days preceding camp, we had our Mazkirut Seminar where the 12 members who run the movement met and discussed our roles, did summer camp planning as well as bonded. During this time we spent a morning doing Tikkun Olam at Mavela Creche in Indedwe and ran a Netzer style service at Temple David.
The channichim arrived on Monday the 1st of July and we all travelled down to Pennington Beach Resort. The main aim of our camp was to explore; the channichim explored Netzer's ideology, themselves as well as their approach to others. We had an adventure team-building day that involved rock climbing and zip-lining, we visited the beach just down the road and even had a heart warming mikvah ceremony for a channie who is completing her process of conversion.
The last 2 days of camp we held our annual kinnus discussion. Here we voted on new policies or improved upon our ideology in order to make the movement progress.
Overall, even though we were 19 people we had the most amazing time and I can safely say this camp has changed our lives and the movement in such a positive way. Bring on Summer Camp 2013.
Netzer South Africa
Machaneh Lazuz Review
Amy Groer
Machaneh Lazuz – ‘Move to Beat’ which took place from 9 to 23 December 2012, is definitely a Netzer camp to be remembered. We started our wonderful journey with a hike, or in Hebrew, tiyul, through the mountains around the campsite. Our guides taught us about nature around us and we all learnt a bit more about our beautiful Cape surroundings. One of Netzer’s ideological beliefs is Tikkun Olam. Tikkun Olam; repairing the world, is when you give selflessly back to the community. At Machaneh we have one day dedicated to exactly this. Tikkun Day was one filled with laughter and work, lots of it! The three youngest groups Geshem, Sheleg and Shemesh spent the day with children, playing games and getting to know each other. While the oldest group Keshet, gave back to the land. Keshet spent the day helping out at a wetland, planting, cleaning and even getting into the water to clean out the debris.
On the lighter side of Machaneh, some of the highlights are, a walk to the beach, having a swim in the freezing Cape waters (remember I am a Durbanite!) and spending an evening around the bonfire singing camp songs and eating delicious sweet treats. One of many camp traditions is ‘Colour Wars’. This is the day when the whole campsite is divided in two groups, blue and red, and we battle it out with fun camp games, lots of ruach or spirit, laughter and in the end, exhaustion. Israel Day is a day dedicated to our beloved Israel. This year we learned about major places in Israel. We learnt about life on a kibbutz, the amazing capital Jerusalem, the way of life in the very modern Tel Aviv and the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea and we learnt Israeli dancing. We conclude each week with an inspirational Shabbat service and to end it off, a divine Shabbat supper.
The most important part of Netzer Machaneh is that we are one big family. From the youngest to the oldest, everyone knows each other by name which makes our camp experience even more special.
