About Us
Bnei Akiva Sydney is Sydney's largest Jewish Zionist youth group. Our ideology emphasises the dual concepts of Torah and Avoda, that is, living modern lives through and enriched by halacha and Torah thought. We define ourselves as Religious Zionists and believe the modern state of Israel is the Reshit Smichat Geulateinu.
Our Mission
Bnei Akiva is run by volunteers between the ages of 18 and 22 as well as junior leaders in Year 11. Bnei runs weekly meetings, beit midrash, minyanim, regular functions as well as 3 camps annually. In July Bnei runs a Winter camp for all grades. In summer there are separate camps for Juniors (Years 2-6) and an interstate Federal Camp for years 7-11.
‘Bnei Akiva’ means ‘the children of Akiva’, and our ideology relates directly to the story of Rabbi Akiva. At the age of 40, after growing up tending flock, he decided that he needed to find out the essence of the Jewish faith. He reasoned that just as something as soft as water can penetrate a solid rock and cause it to erode, so too can the Torah penetrate into himself.
We endeavour to follow Rabbi Akiva’s qualities, namely his love of Hashem, his devotion to the Torah, his love of Israel and the fight for its independence, and respect for work.
"Bnei Akiva Sydney has done so much for the community and has had a massive impact on my life."
— Benjy Ware; Chanich, then Limmud Participant, then Madrich
What we've achieved
- Weekly activities for Years 2 - 12
- 3 Camps each year
- More than 160 Chanichim
- Shavuot Tikkun Leil
- Pre-pesach Carwash
- Pre-pesach BBQ
- Yom Ha'atzmaut Tefillah Chagigit
- Lag Ba'omer Bonfire
- Weekly Shabbat Minyanim
- Weekly Thursday night learning
- Weekly Sunday breakfast Minyan
- Simchat Torah Hakafot Shniot
- Megillah + Purim Party
- Women's Megillah Reading
- Yom Yerushalayim Tefillah Chagigit