Programs

As a Zionist movement, Magshimey Herut functions in several countries worldwide. We work to cultivate Jewish identity, Zionist activity and a sense of social responsibility that will expose our revolutionary strand of Zionism to communities throughout the exile. Because every nation’s way of life is unique and Jews in each country have been exposed to and affected by various cultural influences, Magshimey Herut divides its staff into language based departments, each responsible for effectively communicating our message to a specific Diaspora culture.

ENGLISH SPEAKING DIVISION

The English speaking desk of Magshimey Herut builds chapters in Western counties where the primary spoken language is English. The goal of these chapters is to foster Jewish identity, generate Zionist activism and bring young adults home to Israel on aliya. Our chapters all over the globe proudly raise the banners of social justice, greater Israel and freedom for the Hebrew nation from terror and imperialism.

Rachel’s Tears Activist Training Program is organized once a year in order to bring a number of Jewish college students to Israel on an intensive ten day course. This program, built for the purpose of creating a strong leadership on North American college campuses in order to combat the recent rise of anti-Israel activities, trains students both ideologically and methodologically in order to produce serious activists capable of proudly representing Israel’s national aspirations.

The Inter-Group Forum was initiated in cooperation with activists from other Zionist movements. Magshimey Herut maintains that national unity is imperative to Jewish survival and believes that the more young Jews from opposing perspectives openly dialogue, the more they will uncover the similarities in their core beliefs. Inter-Group offers an opportunity for Zionists from diverse ideological, religious and political standpoints to dialogue and discuss the major issues currently confronting the Jewish people. The purpose of this forum is to encourage a free exchange of ideas in a constructive and tolerant setting in order to foster Jewish unity and encourage cooperation towards projects that benefit the Hebrew nation.

He’achzut is a college accredited program in conjunction with the MASA Project for post-high school young adults (ages 18-26). The program enables students to spend either a full year or one semester in Israel, studying at Bar Ilan University while living in Enav (a settlement community located in Israel’s Samaria region). While earning college credits recognized by universities worldwide, students learn Hebrew, tour the Land of Israel and participate in the communal life of Enav. Individual scholarships are available based on financial need. Click to Read More (PDF Brochure)

AM SEGULA

Am Segula is the aliya department of Magshimey Herut’s English speaking desk. Led by young adults who have actualized the dream of aliya, Am Segula organizes social and educational programming for olim and potential olim in Eretz Yisrael. Because a bureaucratic and stressful absorption process can often take the romance out of the aliya process, Am Segula helps participants to retain their idealism through a sense of purpose and dedication to the Zionist future. These activities are designed to ease the process of immigration by connecting new immigrants to one another as they take an active role in the struggle to help the State of Israel reach its highest potential as a light unto nations. Am Segula provides olim the opportunity to involve themselves in a group based on activism and achievement for young Jews from English speaking countries that have decided or are considering making aliya. Am Segula is the movement for all who believe that the Zionist dream must continue even after our arrival in Eretz Yisrael.

Curing the Jewish Heart is an interactive lecture taught by veteran activist and educator Eli Yosef. It traces personalities and events in Israel’s history from the Enlightenment period up until renewed statehood in Eretz Yisrael. The series is taught via concepts derived from the Bible, Midrashim, and Torah luminaries such as the Maharal of Prague, the Ramchal and Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi.

The fresh perspective of this course explains history through the emotional reaction of its participants as it unfolds. The series offers practical expression to deep philosophical concepts within the Torah by unifying Jewish history as one continuous narrative. Through teaching this course, Magshimey Herut aims to emotionally connect young adults to the national-historical destiny of the eternal Hebrew nation.

Community Service programs are organized throughout the year to assist Israelis in poverty-stricken neighborhoods. Because our Torah commands that “if your brother becomes impoverished and his means falter in your proximity, you shall strengthen him” (Vayikra 25:35), Magshimey Herut strives to alleviate the humiliation of Israel’s poor. Whether through protesting unjust social policy, working with youth at risk, volunteering in soup kitchens or neighborhood clean-up initiatives, Am Segula seeks to actively take responsibility for the plight of the less fortunate within our society.

Martial Arts classes are held weekly in Jerusalem for both men and women. While the women’s class emphasizes personal self-defense, both deal with the unique hazards of living in modern Israel. In addition to physical skills, psychological techniques are taught to train young adults to be more attentive of their surroundings in order to recognize potentially dangerous situations and neutralize them before they have the chance to reach fruition.

Shabbat Experiences are organized several times each year in different communities throughout Eretz Yisrael. On these programs, olim and potential olim interact with local communities while learning what is special about each particular region, its significance in Jewish history and importance to Israel’s future. Participants derive strength and gain encouragement from one another as they meet likeminded olim from English speaking countries in an environment that is both comfortable and idealistic.

SPANISH SPEAKING DIVISION

The Spanish speaking desk of Magshimey Herut develops educational Zionist groups in South American counties. The goal of these groups is to foster Jewish identity, generate Zionist activism and bring young adults home to Israel on aliya. Participants from these groups proudly fight for the integrity of Eretz Yisrael while contributing to their communities through various programs.

Charla is a bi-weekly discussion group dealing with various Zionist topics in history. These discussions focus on current events within a larger historical perspective that encompasses Jewish destiny. Israel’s history is brought to life and made relevant in these stimulating and open activities where members sharpen their awareness of Israel’s political reality.

RUSSIAN SPEAKING DIVISION

The Russian speaking desk of Magshimey Herut builds branches in the former Soviet Union where Russian is the primary spoken language. Owing to decades of religious oppression and forced assimilation behind the “iron curtain”, most Jews of the region lack national identities. Therefore, outreach activities are necessary to attract young Jews back to their nation and culture. Through educational programs that highlight Jewish heroism and political activism, estranged young adults are made proud of their ancestral heritage and the struggle for Israel’s future. Activities are designed in order to foster Jewish nationalism within participants and ultimately bring them on aliya to Israel, where they learn in a Torah environment, serve in Israel’s army and continue to struggle for Zionist causes.

Hadar Seminars regularly take place in order to raise Jewish awareness among young adults. In a comfortable and idealistic atmosphere, participants learn from and interact with educators in seminars geared towards promoting Jewish nationalism. Through exploring Israel’s history, participants become part of the Zionist liberation struggle and begin to view Israel’s destiny as their own.

FRENCH SPEAKING DIVISION

The French speaking desk of Magshimey Herut establishes self-defense units in French cities with large Jewish centers. Because Jews in France have come under violent attack in recent years, Magshimey Herut trains responsible young adults to fight and safeguard their communities. Because the French speaking desk is forced to engage in physical violence, members undergo a lengthy induction period where potential recruits are filtered based on levels of seriousness, responsibility and psychological wellbeing. Potential members found unprepared for participation in the self-defense units are given auxiliary tasks in administration, fundraising and community service. Full and auxiliary members all attend Zionist educational seminars once a month.

Martial Arts classes are held twice weekly. These advanced classes train in lethal techniques that equip each member with the ability to adequately protect the Jewish people. Two thirds of each class is devoted to physical skill while one third is reserved for ideological topics. Less intensive classes take place once a week for potential and auxiliary members not ready for the advanced class.

Social Events take place once a month in order that young singles meet in a comfortable environment. All social events carry an ideological theme that brings educational value to recreational activities.

Absorption Committees exist in Eretz Yisrael in order to assist our olim with a successful integration into Israeli society. These committees work to create programming for new immigrants in Israel along the lines of the English speaking desk’s Am Segula.