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Join the American Zionist Movement for Cafe Ivrit Yoga Edition. A Professional Yoga instructor will give a yoga class in Hebrew. All levels of Hebrew welcome. No special knowledge of Hebrew or Yoga is required.
NYers Socialize in Hebrew at Cafe Ivrit…Pub Edition!
August 22, 2013 by
On Tuesday, August 20, more than 30 Israelis and Americans networked b’ivrit at Café Ivrit…Pub Edition!, the first event for ViZionYLD’s Hebrew immersion-based series for young professionals. At this Hebrew-only zone, guests mingled over beera, chummus, and the always-popular Bamba in a private room at Hudson Station, discussing everything from their favorite TV shows to their latest travels in Hebrew.
Participants played sheshbesh (backgammon), the Hebrew-version Bananagrams and even “lechu dag,” the literal translation of the card game “Go Fish.” Native Hebrew speakers guided conversations, encouraging guests with all levels of fluency to use Hebrew for even mundane communications such as introducing themselves and asking for directions. Even beginners sung along with the Israeli music playing in the background and appreciated the historical posters of pre-State Israel.
Many participants had spent time in Israel on programs run by Masa Israel Journey, which co-sponsored this event. Since their return to New York, some missed Israel and its culture; they were thrilled to be in an environment filled with Hebrew and Israeli-themed activities and to feel like they were back in Israel for an evening.
To see more photos of this fantastic event, please visit our Facebook page.
Learn Hebrew with ViZionYLD and Masa Israel Journey
August 7, 2013 by
Join ViZionYLD & Masa Israel for an evening of informal Hebrew networking. Practice your Hebrew-speaking skills over beera and chummus with other young professionals. Chat with young Israelis, and schmooze b’ivrit at the bar! Café Ivrit is a new initiative that uses the Hebrew language to further connect young professionals to their Jewish identity & the State of Israel.
The series uses a holistic approach of immersion and experiential learning to engage and inspire.
All levels are welcome. Yallah, Nu!!
Light Israeli refreshments will be served.
AZM Brings Layla Lavan to New York City
July 18, 2013 by
The first New York Layla Lavan took place on Wednesday evening, July 17th in the midst of one of the worst heat waves in years. An annual event in Tel Aviv, Layla Lavan was first instituted there as an all-night cultural festival in 2003 to mark UNESCO’s awarding it World Heritage status. The record-breaking hot and humid weather was no deterrent for the Manhattan revelers who flocked to the west side for “a taste of Israel” in New York.
From young professionals and local Israelis to BirthRight and Masa returnees, more than 200 New Yorkers made their way to Hudson Station on West 35th Street to enjoy felafel, sabich, bourekas and limonana with blue and white drinks while listening to contemporary Israeli music, speaking Hebrew at the Cafe Ivrit, walking the indoor “shuk” and getting henna tatoos . A very unique part of the program was a beer tasting table, where participants had the opportunity to test “Lost Tribes Beer”, micro-brews based on ancient Middle Eastern recipes. Awesome!
AZM organizers described the first annual Layla Lavan as a pilot project that they hope will grow into an annual Israeli cultural summertime party and festival in New York. As they see it, Layla Lavan will eventually expand into different venues and flow onto the streets, reflecting a variety of Israeli cultural expressions and the vibrancy of Tel Aviv, the White City, at night. Meanwhile, one of those who attended this year summed it up for a lot of people when he wrote on the FaceBook event page “To the organizers of this event: This was one of the best events I have attended in a long time. Thank you for putting it all together!”
View pictures from the event here!
AZM Shabbat Dinner on Long Island
October 24, 2012 by
On October 19, 2012, ViZionYLD, the young leadership division of the American Zionist Movement, sponsored a unique Shabbat dinner for 18 young professionals at a private home. The meal, hosted by the Associate Director of Young Leadership, was located on Long Island to provide new opportunities to local Jewish young professionals who live outside Manhattan. Attendees came from all over the Tri-State area, attracted by the intimate setting and the learning opportunities. Annie, a native Long Islander, was glad she could attend a Shabbat meal near her home and not worry about traveling to Manhattan.
The dinner featured Shabbat traditions as well as networking and a structured discussion about Zionism. Participants exchanged views on what Zionism means to a young generation as well as related recent events in the Israeli news to the perception of Zionism. “Zionism gives my generation the opportunity to be the future dreamers and achievers of Israel,” said Alli, a ViZionYLD board member.
We thank all our guests for joining us and look forward to seeing you soon!
To get more involved with ViZion, please “like” us on facebook at www.facebook.com/ViZionYLD
Seeds of a State: A Staged Reading of Zionist Texts
August 2, 2012 by
Seeds of a State: A Staged Reading of Zionist Texts
Since you probably missed it the first time….
Join AZM Chicago for a Zionist Congress redux
Sunday, August 19 | Temple Emanuel*
6:30 PM| $12 in advance/$15 at the door
*Temple Emanuel, 5959 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, Illinois
Parking Available at the Temple Parking Lot
ViZionYLD’s First Intimate Shabbat Dinner a Success!
May 2, 2012 by
On Friday, May 18th, ViZionYLD (AZM’s Young Leadership Division) co-sponsored a very successful, intimate Zionist Shabbat dinner with B’nai B’rith International. The 18 young professionals who attended agreed that the ability to have a meaningful Shabbat discussion about social justice and Zionism in such a small group made the evening a truly unique one.
“I truly believe that even after we possess our land, the land of Israel, Zionism will not cease to be an ideal. For Zionism as I understand it includes not only the yearning for a plot of promised land according to law for our weary people, but also the yearning for ethical and spiritual fulfillment.” –Theodore Herzl
After conversing about this quote, guests recognized what it means for young leaders to be the modern version of the “chalutzim”; nurturing advocating, dreaming, and achieving.
We thank all our guests for joining us for such a lovely evening, and look forward to our next Shabbat dinner.
“Israel in the Write Light” Leaves Audience Wanting More!
May 1, 2012 by
On May 21st, AZM sponsored a program targeted to young professionals interested in advocacy and communications in New York City. Entitled Israel in the Write Light, it featured some of the field’s outstanding younger practitioners who spoke about their craft and the Zionist context of their writing, blogging and tweeting. The program was moderated by David Bryfman who kept the audience as well as the speakers on their toes with his provocative questions and challenges.
The guest blogger was “ElderofZiyon,” well-known by his nom de plume in the blogosphere but rarely seen in public. “Elder” is perhaps the most quoted blogger in the area of Middle East politics, and he used his time well to help the hopefuls in the audience think about how to be most effective in their work on behalf of Israel. Joining him were Bari Weiss, a senior editor at Tablet Magazine and Noah Pollak , a young political activist with an enviable Twitter following.
The event was truly remarkable and memorable for all who attended!
Ohad Knoller, Karmit Arbel
