Click here to download a copy of the Mazkir’s Speech from Yom Ha’atzmaut, written and presented by Alex Cohen.

Click here to see the pictures from the London celebrations.

Click here to see videos from the service in Kinloss from the BAUK Chinuch channel

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We have reached a crossroads in the teaching about the Shoah

Holocaust education in the Jewish community can’t continue as is.   Though many discuss the dangers of increased Holocaust denial, the greater threat is within the community itself and is that of Holocaust apathy.

Holocaust education until now has relied on constant references to its contemporary nature and the first hand testimony of survivors. Over the coming decades both these factors will be lost.  Jewish people in future will undoubtedly take note of the Holocaust, but what is to say that it will be any more ingrained in the psyche of future generations than the Spanish Inquisition or the Crusades?

There are a number of challenges which effective Holocaust education must overcome. The first is the seemingly inevitable descent of Holocaust education into a negative conception of Jewish identity. Jewish students are ‘guilt-tripped’ into believing in abstract concepts such as Jewish identity and Jewish continuity. Ultimately, only a positive approach to Jewish identity can succeed, so attitudes such as Emil Fackenheim’s, that there is now a 614^th commandment to defy Hitler through our mere existence, are unproductive. It is true that the approach of the Jewish community has begun to evolve, most evidently in trips to Poland which focus on the vibrant pre-Holocaust life rather than the death and destruction. However, since our community receives so much of our Holocaust education from broader society, a focus on the death camps and unfathomable statistics is unfortunately still the norm.

Another difficulty which arises is of familiarity breeding contempt. I remember as a madrich (leader) a 7 year old chanich (participant) jovially wandering around our Shabbat afternoon group stating repeatedly that ‘Hitler killed himself by shooting himself in the mouth’. Children from a very young age are made familiar with the Holocaust both inside and outside our community. The temptation to teach children from as young an age as possible is particularly alluring due to the realisation that any education which relies on Holocaust survivors will soon run out and the relative ease in which the topic creates a raw emotional response. However, we as a community must avoid introducing the Holocaust to those who are too young. I remember one chanich as young as 15 (the age at which Bnei Akiva begins to grapple with the topic in earnest) giving out the message that he had already, outside of BA, been overexposed to the Holocaust.

We feel that the real solution to this dilemma is innovation. Traditional education about the Holocaust cannot be relied upon to educate the next generation. It is for this reason that we as youth movements are endorsing the Forum for Yom HaShoah’s efforts to firmly entrench Yom Hashoah in the Anglo-Jewish calendar. Established in Israel and across the world shortly after the Holocaust, Yom Hashoah is itself an innovation; the idea of instituting a new day in our age-old calendar a radical one, but Yom Hashoah can represent innovation in other ways too. Unlike Holocaust Memorial Day, which marks the liberation of Auschwitz, Yom Hashoah commemorates the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. The message is that our Jewish identity can be active rather than passive.

This is particularly evident to us as youth movements; the uprising was led by youth movements, with the main protagonist, Mordechai Anielewicz, a member of Hashomer Hatzair. Anielewicz understood that the ‘traditional’ guise of a meek Jew was not appropriate to his times. He innovated, both in his adoption of Zionism as a key vision and aim for the Jewish people, but also in his unique ability to inspire his fellow Jews to rebel against the Nazis rather than accept their fate. This was counter-cultural. In Anielewicz’s own words: ‘whatever may happen to you, remember always: Don’t adjust! Revolt against the reality!’

The Jewish community needs to seriously evaluate how it educates current and future generations about the Holocaust with a clear and prominent refusal to adjust to the ensuing and worrying reality of apathy. Yom Hashoah isn’t by itself the answer, but is the start of a process which is very much due. Ceremonies which have been endorsed by the Forum for Yom HaShoah are a valuable start.

As youth movements we might present a possible path forward, since we are run by the youth, encourage evolution and are open to a constant influx of new ideas across the board. We are confident that even though we do not yet have all the answers, our community will adapt and evolve to deal with this daunting but hugely significant challenge.

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The London Bayit will be closed over Pesach (6-16th April). As a result of electrical works taking place, all phone lines and e-mails will be down and nothing will be able to be recieved.

Only in cases of urgency, if you wish to contact Bnei Akiva, please e-mail baukmazkir@gmail.com. This address will be checked intermittently and, apart from in exceptional circumstances, will only be responded to after Pesach.

We apologise for the inconvenience, and appreciate your patience.

Chag Kasher L’Pesach

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After intense competition last year, names were made, glory gained, egos deflated, and spiritis crushed. See Yediot Season 1 Episode 6 for highlights of what was a fantastic event!

With the coveted trophy up for grabs, can you challenge the current holders Stanmore? Or will you be playing in the wooden spoon final with the Mazkirut?

Sign up below to reserve your place.

Location: PowerLeague, Mill Hill

Time: 14:00 – 18:00

Date: Sunday 26th August

Price: £8 per player (pay on the day)

cforms contact form by delicious:days

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Monday 27th February

Rumour has it that there was a fire ‘prank’, at the London Bayit this afternoon. Some say this was slap bang in the middle of tea time at 4 o’clock, annoying technical director Adam Waters, with others claiming it was earlier, at five to. (TeaTimes)

Apparently the Ford Transit van used on summer machane has been named Percy by Sixt. (MachaneMotoring)

After the birth of a baby daughter, Rav Ilan Goldman has had to move a cot right up to the wall in the children’s bedroom. This now brings the total up to two wall-cots. (Yeladim-Net)

There was disaster at the #ShevetNa’alehShabbaton when a key was momentarily mislaid. Luckily it was found just over half way through the weekend,and everything ended rosily. The event has been labelled by some as #’The Rosey-Key’. (Twitter)

Quote: BA carry the weight of religious zionism on its back. (Harry Sagnar)

Rumours coming out of the Bayit suggest a new campaign to promote Bnei Akiva’s long and proud history. The campaign is being called ‘form is temporary – class is permanent’, in reference to the 73 years Bnei Akiva has been inspiring young minds in the UK. (EveningLimmud)

Tuesday 21st February

Rumours are circultating that Bnei Akiva are planning a secret trip to Israel for a select few people in June. Employees are worried that now the secret is out the office could be inundated with applications from people wanting to attend this discounted trip (‘Ello Alan News)

Some people are saying however that you have to be a pilot (Twitter: abox37)

Rumours are rife about the start time of shacharit this week at Maida Vale for the Na’aleh shabbaton. Some say 8, some say 8.30 with others going for the ludicrous 6.43am. As of yet the chanichim seem unaware to the early rise. (BneiZmaan.org)

After the recent success of Shwekey’s new song on YouTube, our very own Josh Pomerance is thinking of releasing his cover of Kah Ribon. Fans, keep your eyes peeled, or posted. (ChoshuvTunes)

After the release of the ‘Keep Calm and Bnei Akiva’ poster group on Facebook, creator Adam Waters has come under verbal attack, recieving posters in response such as ‘Keep calm and you’re not funny!’ and ‘Keep Calm and get back to work!’ (KeepShteiging)

Tuesday 14th February

A widely anticipated event this evening is sure to be the unveiling of the dress Belinda Epstein will wear at her wedding to Jonny Lipczer. Fashion gurus are suggesting something similar to Kate Windsor’s dress, designed by Sarah Burton, but some are suggesting a more traditional Martin Katz or Rene Strauss design. (Simchas Only)

Second only to that story is what tie and cufflink combo Jonny will go for, some suggesting traditional white tie and diamond cufflinks, with others suggesting a more retro Thomas the Tank Engine design (The Fat Controller)

People all over are being forced to guess what embarrassing stories will be revealed about Alex Cohen in this seasons Yediot. Viewers are transfixed by claims from new Anchors Adam and Camilla about stories to be told, and hysterior has hit Wikileaks level (Ferncroft Times)

The council has announced that it is allowing parking to be done off Finchley Road tonight without a permit, in an unprecedented move believed to be in response to demand to park near an event known only as ‘Ministry of Sound’. Event organiser Ashira Rabinowitz suggested this was all pre-planned, but a huge influx of cars is not expected due to the beverages on offer (Finchley Muse)

Other members of the hanhalla refute this claim, and remind Ashira that it is after all a Jewish event. They are advising people to arrive early to park (Nivchar Gazette)

Monday 13th February

Rumours are circulating that a new episode of Yediot is soon to be released. The big question is ‘who will be the new presenters’ after the high profile axing of stars Adam Waters and Eve Minsky? Names being suggested are Connie Huq, or the more controversial Richard Keys and Andy Gray. (Tnua Observer)

Alternatively, Camilla de Kare-Silver and Adam Cohen are taking over. (Birmingham Schmooze)

Or the Mazkir himself, depending on who you believe. (Various)

The role could however go to Deborah Blank after calls were made for a more ‘regional’ voice. Some claim however that even she is too ‘Londonized’ and the Anchor should instead be Paddy Mcguinness (Manchester Shomer)

Rumours coming from facebook are circulating, suggesting that Bob Diddly Bob has been sacked. (Einayim al Facebook)

Friday 10th February

It appears the curse of the technical director has been lifted… after many years of failure, a (male) technical director is finally getting married. Rumours are rife that this could either break the curse, or pile more misery onto the current afflictees. (Simcha Daily)

Following on from that, in a shock move it has been leaked that at the wedding, (we can now reveal the perason in question is called Benjy) the meal will include schnitzel! One observer, known only as RH, remarked “it’s good news for schnitzel lovers everywhere”. (Manchester Yid)

There will be no tinned mandarins at the wedding (various)

Rumours have been heard of traffic all along the A41. We are told this is not caused by the snow, rather, by hundreds of extra people flocking to Hendon and Borehamwood. Local authorities are baffled. (Mes Transport)

Mazal Tov is in order, we are told, for yet another member of the tnua. Dina Minsky accepted the proposal of Michael Goldberg this week. People are wondering how this will affect her tafkid chances, one source known only under the pseudonym p.o.m. said “married people are what makes Bnei Akiva tick”. (BA Standard)

Thursday 9th February

Rumours are flying about the wine order for Ministry of Sound next week. Grapevine spokesperson Danny Saltman has been coy on the matter, stating “got some great deals”, all eyes are towards the Jeunnesse however, will they pull it out of the bag? (Bogrim Daily)

Shabbatot Ha’irgun are in doubt this week after it emerged Aron Gillis would be putting together all the boxes of tablecloth and plates needed. Many have doubted whether this is a smart move, however with the current injury crisis the Bayit are facing this may be the only solution. Fans are hoping he can pull through and perform above expectations. (The Jerusalem Poshut)

An animal has been spotted loose in Bushey. Residents are being warned to stay inside until such time as the beast (affectionately known as ‘Yak’) has been tranquilised. (Gevald Gazette)

In an unrelated story, chants of ‘feed the yak and he will score’ backfired this week, after it emerged that much loved Boger Yaacov Goldin is in fact a goalkeeper. Statasticians can now begin to understand the alarming rate of own goals at Los Blancos this year. (Cadur Regel Post)

Rumours are circulating that fantastic packs of Israel advocacy briefings were donated by Andrew White to Bnei Akiva, we are told that all one needs to do to get one is ask. (Torani Times)

Wednesday 8th February

Rumours are circulating that Bnei Akiva Mazkir Alex Cohen is a fashion icon. A Bnei Akiva sopkesperson has categorically denied this however, saying “cardigans are great and all that… but the glasses… really?” (BANews)

A Bnei Akiva insider has leaked information of record numbers on this years Israel Machane. Israel worker Aron Gillis would not comment on this, but the gleam in his eye told us all we needed to know (ModerOrth News)

According to sources an anouncement should be made in a matter of weeks about the opening date of summer tafkidim applications. An unnamed boger said “it was leaked at limmud, we’re just waiting for it to be official” (Journal of Zionists)

Edgware Roshim Asher Gavzey and Jaimie Grossman were breathing a sigh of relief this week as a successful shabbat ha’irgun ended with over 300 people attending. Early sources suggest a fantastic shabbat, well organised and extremely fun, with a tochnit that will be remebered for years! (BAssociated Press)

Rumours are circulating about the whereabouts of the Borehamwood tochnit this shabbat. One source suggested it could be Disneyland Florida, although these reports have yet to be confirmed. (Shabbos Times)

News is reaching us that Chinuch Worker Josh Pomerance has lined up a prominent member of the community to write for the new mystics and halacha section of Shabbat Lashem. Names being banded around at this early stage include the likes of Ken Livingston, Mike Freer, David Beckham and controversial figure Aron Gillis. All this reporter is saying is there is no other reason why Thierry Henry would stay this long in England is there…? (Daily Shtark)

Fresh off the press: Technical Director, Adam Waters, has not been working for two weeks. Speculation surrounds his surprise absence from the Bayit these past two weeks. Some say he has found a job at a rival company others are suggesting this is just a cover for a two week holiday. They say he has been in contact with other employees of Bnei Akiva far too often for it to be another job. (News of the Jews)

Are you at the Bnei Akiva Bayit? Have you seen or heard any rumours? Contact camps@bauk.org with all your stories.

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First, women can join us on Purim evening for the Womens megillah reading at Alei Tzion
Whether you are interested in Leining, just want to come for the social, whether you have been before or this is your first time, there is something for everyone!

Then everyone can head down to the Messibat Purim at Rav Ilan’s house, for some singing, dancing, music, drink and socialising to wave goodbye to the fast and really kick off Purim!

On Purim morning join us for Shacharit at the London Bayit at 8am, followed by a delicious breakfast.

Finally, don’t leave yourself wondering what to do for Seudah on purim! All are invited to what promises to be an exciting and fun Purim Seudah with Rav Ilan and Tami.

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On Sunday 12th February Benjy Caplan and Aimee Hersh were married at The Thistle Hotel, Heathrow. Benjy has just finished spending a year on the Mazkirut as Technical Director, and his impact on the movement has been huge, from Portakabins to record machane numbers. Aimee has been a dedicated Bogeret of Edgware Sviva and has given her time to Bnei Akiva at machanot and svivot. We wish them both Mazal Tov and are thankful for the part they have both played in the Tnua.

Many people would have also been heading to Heathrow, to attend the wedding of Belinda Epstein to Jonny Lipczer taking place at the Inbal Hotel, Yerushalayim. Jonny was Mazkir in 5763 and now works for Bnei Akiva Olami as the head of the British Desk. If you have ever seen any publications from Bnei Akiva UK, from brochures to posters, you will have seen the huge impact he has had, and continues to have, on the Tnua. Even if you haven’t noticed it, his impact has shaped the movement in all that it does today. Belinda is also a keen BA’nik and originally hails from Manchester before making Aliyah in 2003. We are forever grateful for the role they have played in Bnei Akiva.

Click on the link below to see this weeks video choveret, which makes special mention of the occasion from 7:44 onwards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH5EbHQKveM&list=UUCemmQAL-9U_0UKJviDVHxQ&index=1&feature=plcp

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Summer Machane 5772 is coming very soon! Dates have now been confirmed for all summer camps:

Aleph, AC, Bet Base & Gimmel: 1-15th August
Bet Chalutzi (Holland!): 1-15th August
Israel Machane: 16th July – 9th August
Kaytana: 1-15th August
Bet Midrash Programme: 1-8th August
Yachad: 8-15th August
Cadur Regel (Yr 3-5): 30th July – 3rd August
Keshet: Dates coming soon

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This page will have all the latest info on the coaches from machane. For updates call 07807 771 790 (Aleph, Ma’apilim, H-Course) or 07807 771 769 (Haroeh, Gimmel).

LONDON:

Aleph: Arrived!

Ma’apilim: Arrived!

Haroeh: Arrived!

Gimmel: Arrived!

H-Course: Arrived!

MANCHESTER – All coaches have arrived!

LEEDS – Arrived!

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