Bnei Akiva of North America (and Hashomer Hadati) will be 70 years young this year. A reunion of all former members (Chaverim) is being planned for Thanksgiving weekend (November 27-30, 2003) in Jerusalem. More than 2,000 former Chaverim from Israel and about 800 from the U.S.A. and Canada are expected to attend. It should be a great experience for bogrim of all ages from Bnei Akiva, Camp Moshava, and the various Hachsharot. Nosan Friedman, Itchie Fuchs and Steve Frankel are coordinating the event.
The main event, an evening of nostalgia and reunion, is scheduled to be held in the Jerusalem Convention Center (Binyaney HaUmah) on Thursday evening, November 27, between 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Much of the evening will be spent viewing the exhibits of old photos and mementos, socializing with Chaverim, and visiting the booths of the exhibitors planning to display their products at the convention. A special short program saluting the contribution of North American Bnei Akiva Chaverim to Israel is being produced. Those willing to lend pictures, videos and other paraphernalia from the past should contact Steve Frankel c/o Bnei Akiva, Suite 205, 7 Penn Plaza, NY 10001, or Frannie Abell, Harimon 23, Yishuv Hashmonaim, 73127, Israel (08) 976-6539.
A journal, to include greetings from both advertisers and Chaverim will be published. Greetings from Chaverim by Snif, Mosh, Hach and/or Shevet and a special set of pages for those who want to include their “jewels” (children or grandchildren), will be included. A list of all of those who pre-register will be included at no extra charge. Former Chaverim from the USA who cannot come but would like to be listed in the Journal for a small fee, should contact me via email or via the BA office. Email updates and the placement of your name on the list of Chaverim may be requested by sending me an email at [email protected].
The group coming from North America will be able to purchase flights and hotels at special rates (Contact Stuart Katz at (516) 825-0966 x102). Each participant from abroad travelling via Bnei Akiva will receive free admission to the event in Binyanei Hauma. An optional program of side trips, a full Shabbat program and a Melava Malka on Saturday night are also being planned. Those living in Israel are invited to participate in any or all of the events of the weekend.
There are two web sites where additional information may be found: www.bneiakiva.net has old photos and other information and www.bneiakiva.org allows North Americans to register. Those living in North America may also contact their nearest Bnei Akiva office for more information. Please pass this information to your friends who were former Chaverim and come join the fun!
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