AJ6
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
AJ6 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. Until 2007, It ran both a membership side and a services side, the latter covering schools and campus. However, in October 2007, AJ6 handed over the services part of the organisation to the UJIA. It has its headquarters in Central London.
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[edit] Organizational Goals
AJ6's vision is of an educated and tolerant Jewish community, responsible for one another, excited and enriched by its Judaism and inspired by its younger members. 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.
[edit] Regions
AJ6 runs regional meetings, where Jews aged 15-18 can meet with each other to socialize, discuss issues relevant to their lives and talk about future events. Meetings are usually held once or twice a week at members' homes, in the following regions: Central London, North London, Northwest London, Northeast London, Southwest London, Manchester, Merseyside and Thames Valley.
In each region, there is a Regional Chair who is responsible for organizing meetings within their area (including structured activity / discussion programmes), publicizing AJ6 within their region, and AJ6's activities to their members. The Regional Chair is a member of the National Executive.
[edit] AJ6's Relationship with Israel
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, as well as giving them the opportunity to participate in AJ6's annual Israel and Europe tours in the summer. Conference 2006 saw the election of Shlomi's first regional chair, Doron Gerlitz. The AJ6 constitution is currently in the process of being translated into Hebrew, so the Israeli members will be able to read this document in their mother tongue. In addition to this, AJ6 Israel Tour Participants stay in Shelomi with young Israelis for 2 days as part of the mifgashim, or encounters in order to educate AJ6 members about life in Israel.
[edit] Guiding Principles
Peer Leadership: the National Executive is responsible for the running and direction of AJ6. There is support from the madrichim (young adult leaders), the full-time workers and the trustees, but ultimately power lies with the members who are represented by the Executive.
Arevut: This stems from the saying Kol yisrael arevim zeh lazeh, meaning 'All Israel is responsible for one another.' This means that AJ6 accepts all Jews, practising or not, regardless of denomination, cultural or social background, or religious or political belief.
Membership side: There are regular regional meetings all over the country, as well as a variety of annual national events (see below).
Run by and for fifth- and sixth-formers: AJ6 attempts to provide services relevant to its members, from campus support and leadership programmes to social life.
[edit] Regional and National Events
As mentioned above AJ6 runs educational and social meetings within each of its regions, usually every week or fortnight.
As well as regional activities AJ6 runs four major national events a year: National Weekends in October, April and July and a five day Conference in December. These are an opportunity for members from different regions to meet and socialize as well as featuring an educational programme. At Conferences, members vote on changes to official AJ6 policy, to change the constitution and elect a new National Executive. There are also at least two national "balls" each year: the Spring Ball and the summer Boat Ball.
Like many other Jewish youth movements, AJ6 runs summer tours to Israel and Europe. In 2006, AJ6 became the first movement to include Paris on their Europe tour and in 2007 AJ6 was the first movement to run a 2 week Israel tour. This has turned out to be hugely popular with the tour full.
AJ6 also has its own gap year programme, AJ6 Yearscheme - Shnat Hachshorah. Each year, about half a dozen participants from the UK and several from Shlomi spend ten months in Israel. They spend several months at the Institute for Jewish Youth Leaders from Abroad, in Jerusalem, and several carrying out volunteer work in Shlomi.
