AJ6
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
AJ6, or The Association of Jewish Sixthformers, is a Jewish organisation open to all Jews in years 11-13 in the UK. It was founded in 1977. AJ6 is peer led and has its own constitution. It runs both a membership side and a services side which covers schools and campus. It has its headquarters in central London.
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[edit] Organisational Goals
AJ6's vision is of an educated and tolerant community, responsible for each other, excited and enriched by their Judaism and inspired by their Youth.
AJ6's mission is to educate and develop Jewish fifth and sixth formers, enabling them to shape Jewish life at school, on campus and in the wider community. AJ6 believes in Arevut. This stems from the saying 'Kol Israel arevim ze le ze' meaning 'All Israel is responsible for one another.' This means that AJ6 accepts all Jews, practising or not, from whatever stream and from whatever backgrounds. Every one is welcome regardless of religious or political belief.
[edit] Regions
AJ6 runs regional meetings where Jews aged 15-18 can meet with each other to socialise, discuss issues relevant to their lives and talk about future events. They are usually held once or twice a week in members houses, and are a great opportunity to get involved in the organisation.
Meetings are held in these regions: Central London, North London, North West London, North East London, South West London, Manchester, Merseyside. In addition, a Thames Valley Region is being set up. For more information, visit the AJ6 website.
In each region, there is a Regional Chair who is responsible for organising meetings within their area, organising programmes and social activity, publicing aj6 within their region, and aj6's activities to their members. The Regional Chair is a member of the National Executive.
In 2005 at AJ6's national conference, Shlomi, a small town on the northern Israeli border was made a region, making AJ6 an international movement. AJ6 has strong connections with Shlomi and invites young people over for conference, and some of these teenagers are also given the opportunity to be participants on AJ6 Israel and Europe tours.
[edit] Guiding Principles
Peer Leadership: the National Executive is responsible for the running and the direction of AJ6. There is support from the madrichim, the full time workers and the trustees, but ultimately power lies with the members who are represented by the Executive.
Arevut: This is a phrase derived from the saying 'Kol Yisrael arevim ze le ze' meaning 'All of Israel is responsible for one another'. In AJ6 this means that we accept Jews, practising or not, from whatever stream and from whatever backgrounds. Every one is welcome regardless of religious or political belief.
Membership side: There are regular meetings all over the country, as well as at least two balls a year; the Spring Ball and the Boat Ball in the summer. We also run three National Weekends a year, a Summer Social and a 5-day Conference in December.
Services organisation: This means that apart from the membership side, we do things for the Jewish community at large. This can be divided into two main areas; Campus and Schools.
Run by and for fifth and sixth-formers: This means that we can provide the most relevant services for fifth and sixth-formers, from campus support to second timers tours, from leadership to an amazing social life.
[edit] Regional and National Events
AJ6 runs regular educational and social activity within its thriving regions. In many this happens weekly and attracts many fifth and sixthformers.
As well as regional activities AJ6 runs four main national events a year, National Weekends in October, April and July and a five day conference in December. These are always successful and the number of participants on them are constantly growing.
Like other movements AJ6 runs successful summer tours to Israel and Europe. AJ6 was the first movement to include Paris on their Europe tour (in 2006) and this was very successful, helping AJ6 to have the largest Europe tour that year.
AJ6 also has its own gap year programme, Yearscheme, to which it sends its most dedicated and committed members. Participants spend ten months in Israel. They participate on Machon and spend several months volunteering in the North of Israel.
[edit] Criticism of the organisation
Despite advertising Israel Tours, and referring to Israel in its aims (in relation to Arevut), the organisation was not always officially a Zionist organisation. However, AJ6's members changed this in a plenary session at an AJ6 AGM around a decade ago, and currently AJ6 is a fully committed Zionist Organisation, and an active member of the Zionist Youth Council.
AJ6 believes that Mifgashim (encounters) between Israeli and Diaspora Youth are powerful, valuable and important, and invites Israelis to participate in National Residential Events, the Schools Project, Israel Tour and 2nd Timers Tours. Mifgashim with Israeli youth ensure AJ6 members benefit from real friendships and important discussions, leading to a Gesher Chai (living bridge).
The peer-leadership aspects of the organisation are sometimes criticised, as youth with work and educational commitments are, some argue, not capable to lead an organisation. However, AJ6 believes that the best way of developing fifth and sixthformers is to give them responsibilities. By successfully training sixthformers to take on many responsibilities, AJ6 can have a great impact. Actually, peer leadership ensures high quality and appropriate education, as this way those who decide what AJ6 does have the best understanding of its members.
Increasingly over recent years, the organisation has been branded as a group for those who did not fit in at other Jewish youth groups. Whilst not being cliquey could indeed be constructed as 'uncool' AJ6 is proud of its non judgemental and welcoming attitude, which is what helps the movement to grow.
AJ6 has a 'cross-denominational' approach to religion, which entails, amongst other things, the organisation admitting youth that the ultra-observant Jewish community would not consider to be Jewish. Organisational policy such as this has caused some of those in disagreement to leave the organisation whilst others choose to express their opinions through the democratic channels open to all members of AJ6.
The organisation's low budget often restricts their ability to compete with other organisations offering similar services to schools, luckily the ability and dedication of the necessary individuals provides the appropriate balance, making AJ6 a leader in this area, and the true 'gateway to schools'.
