Youth Movements & UJIA receive communal backing

UJIA and the Jewish Youth Movements have joined forces to ensure that despite the economic climate, the opportunity to experience Israel will be there for all 16-year olds in the community.

Following UJIA's bold statement to the community - together with the Jewish Youth Movements, UJIA Israel Experience has taken the decision to hold prices for all this year's summer tours to Israel, at the same level as last year - a number of communal leaders have come out in support.

All recognise the unprecedented coming together of all the Youth Movements and the collaboration and working together that allowed us to achieve a collective position that will benefit the community.
Our shared desired goal is that a hold on prices will enable and encourage young people to go on an educational summer tour in 2009.

"I fully endorse and support this initiative to enable every Jewish 16 year old to have an encounter with Israel -- an essential part of Jewish self discovery. It is the best investment we can make in Israel's present and the Anglo Jewish future".

Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks

"RSY-Netzer is the future of the Reform Movement and Israel Tour is the most important programme in the RSY calendar. In good times, there are still families who cannot afford the full cost of Israel Tour and we make every effort to offer subsidies. This year, with the still unfolding challenge of recession, there will be many more than usual who face missing out on a life changing experience. We have our work cut out to see that, despite the economic gloom, all our 16 year olds can go on Israel Tour. Holding prices at last year's level is a huge contribution to meeting the challenge. What would we do without our partners at UJIA!"

Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield

"I am delighted that the partnership between Liberal Judaism and the UJIA is able to deliver our Israel Tour at the same price as last year. The decision reflects Liberal Jewish values in practice, offering hope in a time of unease and reaffirming our desire to get as many of our young people to Israel as is practicable."

Rabbi Danny Rich

"This is a bold move that makes a tremendously important statement during these challenging times. By maintaining the price level and quality of these tours whilst also increasing their bursary fund UJIA has demonstrated that providing access to this formative Jewish experience for as many young people as possible is a communal priority."

Jeremy Newmark, Chief Executive - Jewish Leadership Council

"For all strands of our community the Israel summer tour experience at the age of 16 is a formative part of developing Jewish identity and a connection to Israel. The BOD encourages every family to send their 16 year olds on tour and we applaud this example of communal collaboration which will help make tours more affordable. I am proud that as a community we also offer financial assistance to families who may otherwise not be able to afford it."

Henry Grunwald QC, President -- The Board of Deputies of British Jews

"We are delighted that UJIA and the Zionist youth movements of Great Britain have together responded so positively to the challenges we currently face. This move is a strong declaration of our shared commitment to providing our community's 16 year olds the opportunity to experience Israel in such an unmissable way. We applaud the efforts made by all parties in reaching this agreement and we are confident that next summer will see us maintain the current high level of participation in Israel Tour programmes. United by our common goals we have been able to deliver a bold and inspiring approach to the economic situation around us."

Benjy Aarons-Richardson / Adam Berkley The Zionist Youth Council

Notes to Editors:

1. The UJIA Israel Experience is a programme of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) designed to enable young people from the UK to participate in a range of educational visits to Israel and within Europe. The Summer Tours are a key part of this programme.
2. The Summer Tours are organised by JAFI. Participants (young people aged 16) apply to join a Tour through participating Jewish Youth Movements (see note 3) and, for those whose parents are unable to meet the costs of the Tour, UJIA provides bursaries. UJIA also provides grant funding and in-kind support to the JAFI to enable it to run programmes within the UJIA Israel Experience.
3. In 2008 the participating, peer led Youth Movements are AJ6, BBYO, Bnei Akiva, Ezra, FZY, Habonim Dror, Hanoar Hatzioni, JLGB, LJY-Netzer, Maccabi GB, Noam and RSY-Netzer.
4. For more information about the UJIA and its work please visit www.ujia.org
5. The Summer Tours means that Jewish young people learn about Jewish life, culture and history on a trip of a lifetime. This year, an estimated 50% of Jewish 16 years old in the UK youth will benefit from this enriching experience.