What is Netzer ?

Netzer (Noar Tzioni Reformi), is the Progressive Zionist Youth Movement affiliated with the World Union of Progressive Judaism. Netzer has branches (sniffim) from Argentina to Hungary and Australia to the C.I.S. Our ideology centres around the famous "Five Concentric Circles", which are based on the principles of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). Our participants range from the ages of eight to eighteen and meet together on a weekly basis. In addition, they also attend summer and winter camps that are conducted by our skillful leadership body. The leaders (Bogrim) have all undergone intensive training and education during a years' stay in Israel. Although Netzer is not aligned with any particular political party in Israel, we take an active involvement in all relevant issues facing world Jewry today.

Where did Netzer come from?

Netzer was founded in 1980 in Melbourne, Australia from a synagogue youth group, "Temple Youth Movement", based at Temple Beth Israel. In January 1980, "CAMP NETZER" was held, at Crystal Creek . . . and so Netzer was formed. Since then, Netzer has grown and spread throughout Australia and the world. The Netzer symbol that is common to all the sniffim (branches) of Netzer actually has quite a bit of meaning behind it.

 

The name of the movement, the Hebrew word 'Netzer' means a new shoot, a twig, a new growth, and is to be found in Isaiah 11:2: "... And a new shoot shall grow forth from his roots; and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge, and the fear of the Lord. "Nun - Tsadeer - Resh - This is the hebrew acronym for Noar Tsioini Reformi - Reform Zionist Youth.  The name symbolises the people and their outlook that comprise Netzer.  Netzer is the youth movement that caters for the youth of the Progressive Movement and all young Progressive Zionists in the world.

What does Netzer Australia believe today?

As Netzer is a youth movement, its ideology is constantly evolving and changing. Every year at the Federal Senior summer camp, Veida, our ideological conference is held, where we can make changes to our policies. The results of these decisions are published each year in Netzer Australia Policies, Beliefs and Actions.  The PBA's is a compilation of all Netzer Australia's ideological decisions made since its inception.  Each year, existing policies are altered and new ones added so that our policies, belief and actions evolve.

 

'Nun - Tsadeer - Resh' - This was the hebrew acronym for Noar Tsioini Reformi - Reform Zionist Youth. Netzer Australia changed its name in 1996 to Noar Tsioni Mitkademet (Progressive Zionist Youth), to put our name more in line with our beliefs, but the acronym 'Netzer' still remains. The name symbolises the people and their outlook that comprise Netzer. Begun in September 1979, and officially founded in January, 1980, Netzer is the youth movement which caters for the youth of the Progressive Movement and all young Progressive Zionist in the world.

How do I become involved in Netzer?

Netzer Australia holds meetings in Melbourne and Sydney for Chanichim (participants) in Grade 3 to Year 12 (Senior Movement).  We also have Winter and Summer camps, as well as specials events and functions.  To find out more about these and how to become involved, browse the website or e-mail us: info@netzer.org.au