BBYO UK & IRELAND | DISTRICT 15

BBYO Ideology

BBYO has five ideologies:

Activism

Judaism

Peer leadership

Pluralism

Zionism

The Ideology Process

The year’s theme should be decided by the National Exec, Youth Director and be announced at the end of the previous year on National Veida.
The Mazkirut should prepare a motion on the theme after a process of education and discussion.
The motion should be presented to the National Exec for discussion.
The motion should be presented to the National Council for discussion.
Feedback should go back to the Mazkirut and the motion should be amended appropriately.
Throughout this process education on the theme should be done in chapters, the planning for this should begin with CLTC.
The motion should be taken to National BBYO at National Veida for discussion and approval or rejection.

Activism

Definition
We believe in the Jewish value of Tikkun olam – repairing and improving the world. To do this, we need to understand our beliefs and translate that understanding into positive action, firstly as individuals and secondly as a Kehilla – community. Then, by empowering ourselves and our Kehilla, and by setting a positive Dugma – example, we can make a better world.

Aims
Based on our definition we aim to: -

The Individual

Create an environment within BBYO where individuals…

Are encouraged to make informed decisions about their opinions and beliefs.
Are encouraged to evaluate their actions with respect to their opinions and beliefs.
Are encouraged to act in a way which reflects their opinions and beliefs.
Are encouraged to engage with the issues facing the world today.
Recognise the necessity of Tikkun Olam.
Realise the power of their actions.
Are instilled with a sense of social conscience.
Recognise the value of volunteerism.
Are empowered to act upon their beliefs.
Feel able to act upon their beliefs and better the world with the support of the BBYO community.

The BBYO Kehilla

Educate members about the issues facing the world today.
Encourage our members to discuss their opinions and beliefs and find common ground.
Create a framework where our members can make communal decisions about issues upon which we wish to act.
Be proactive as a movement based on these decisions.

The World

Raise awareness of the issues upon which BBYO has chosen to act.
Act as a positive example, by being active individuals trying to better the world.
Act as a movement by means of

Fundraising
Volunteering
Political campaigning

Support external campaigns with which we share common ground.
Demonstrate the Jewish value of Tikkun lam

Guiding Principles
In order to achieve these aims, we will use the following guiding principles:

Jewish values, including Tsedek, Chessed, and Tikkun Olam
The democratic process of our movement.
Political independence

Judaism
To be defined in 2007-8

Peer leadership

Definitions

Leadership is a process of encouraging a group to follow a path based on informed decisions, guided by the leader’s values and those of the group. This requires creating an atmosphere where individuals are open to new ideas and change.

Based on this a leader organises, inspires and takes responsibility for the group in order to realise those values.

Peer Leadership is a value by which members of a group are empowered to lead that group.

Aims

Based on this definition BBYO aims to: -

Ensure the members are the true owners of the movement.
Create a safe and open atmosphere where the members feel comfortable expressing themselves.
Ensure every member understands that they are seen as a potential leader in BBYO and are given the opportunities to lead in practise.
Ensure every member is given the necessary tools required to lead.
Ensure every member views those around them as equals and therefore potential leaders.
Encourage every member to contribute to the development and growth of their peers.
Develop the self-confidence of every member so that they feel comfortable both to lead and to allow others to lead.
Create proactive individuals who can and do take initiative.
Encourage every member to develop their own individual leadership style.
Develop humble leaders who will learn from their own experience and from others.
Safeguard the practise of peer leadership within our movement.
Develop educated individuals who are capable of being future leaders of the Jewish community and the Jewish People.

Pluralism

Definition
We are members of a common people who hold diverse beliefs. Our vision as BBYO is that our People will learn to share a common space and live as a Kehillah - Community. To do this we believe that we must acknowledge our diversity and adopt a form of Pluralism based on the following: -

Contraction – We create space for the diversity.
Companionship – We find friendship in the diversity.
Education – We learn from the diversity.
Celebration – We embrace the diversity.

Aims
Based on this definition, we aim: -

Contraction

That there is space for each individual within our movement.
To create an open environment where each individual feels safe expressing their views.
That each individual recognises that they have a responsibility to create that space.
That each individual is willing to contract in order to make space for one another.

Companionship

That each individual is able to create friendships with those who come from different backgrounds and who hold diverse beliefs.
That these relationships build a community.

Education

That each individual is able to learn from those around them.
That each individual recognises that they have something to teach those around them.
That each individual learns to understand those around them based on their respective beliefs.
To provide education for each individual about the diversity of which we are a part.
That through debate and experience, each individual will challenge their beliefs and either affirm or change them.

Celebration

That through experiencing this environment each individual will acknowledge that difference is a good thing.
That through this everyone in the community will have a shared positive experience.
That this community will be an example to the Jewish community and the wider world.

Guiding Principles
In order to achieve these aims we will use the following guiding principles: -

K’vod HaKehillah – Honour of the community – That at all times our community should feel comfortable with our practises.
Individuality – That each individual’s beliefs are equally important and unique in the community.
Inclusion – That where possible the community should be able to share the same space with everyone included.
Consensus – That the community should make its decisions by reaching a consensus taking into account the above principles.

These principles will at times conflict with each other, and in those situations, we must prioritise which principles will take precedence at that time. Any decision made with these principles can only be experimental, only when it has been tested out and accepted by the community will it be established as practise.

Zionism

Definition
Zionism is a commitment to the concept of Jewish peoplehood (Am Yisrael), and the expression of that in the land of Israel.

We subscribe to this definition because:
- As a Jewish youth movement we have a religious and historical connection to the land of Israel;
- We believe the Jewish people have a right to a homeland;
- Since we have a right to a homeland and a connection to Israel, our homeland should be in Israel.
- Israel is a realization of these beliefs, and as such we should proactively support it.

Statements of belief
We believe that Israel and Diaspora Jewry are inter-dependent, responsible for one another, and partners in the shaping of Jewish destiny.

We believe that Israel should strive towards the highest moral ideals, where full civil, human and religious rights exist for all its citizens, thus becoming ‘a light unto the nations’.

Aims
Based on this definition, we aim:
a) To create a personal connection to Israel based on belief, knowledge and experience.
b) To engage our members with Jewish and Israeli texts, history, culture and current events.
c) To give our members the framework in which to make informed decisions about Israel.
d) To support the welfare of the State of Israel in the wider community.
e) To encourage our members to feel that they have a stake in the future of the State of Israel.
f) To ensure that Israel will be a part of our members’ future.



	BBYO Ideology BBYO has five ideologies: Activism Judaism Peer leadership Pluralism Zionism The Ideology Process The year’s theme should be decided by the National Exec, Youth Director and be announced at the end of the previous year on National Veida. The Mazkirut should prepare a motion on the theme after a process of education and discussion. The motion should be presented to the National Exec for discussion. The motion should be presented to the National Council for discussion. Feedback should go back to the Mazkirut and the motion should be amended appropriately. Throughout this process education on the theme should be done in chapters, the planning for this should begin with CLTC. The motion should be taken to National BBYO at National Veida for discussion and approval or rejection. Activism Definition We believe in the Jewish value of Tikkun olam – repairing and improving the world. To do this, we need to understand our beliefs and translate that understanding into positive action, firstly as individuals and secondly as a Kehilla – community. Then, by empowering ourselves and our Kehilla, and by setting a positive Dugma – example, we can make a better world. Aims Based on our definition we aim to: - The Individual Create an environment within BBYO where individuals… Are encouraged to make informed decisions about their opinions and beliefs. Are encouraged to evaluate their actions with respect to their opinions and beliefs. Are encouraged to act in a way which reflects their opinions and beliefs. Are encouraged to engage with the issues facing the world today. Recognise the necessity of Tikkun Olam. Realise the power of their actions. Are instilled with a sense of social conscience. Recognise the value of volunteerism. Are empowered to act upon their beliefs. Feel able to act upon their beliefs and better the world with the support of the BBYO community. The BBYO Kehilla Educate members about the issues facing the world today. Encourage our members to discuss their opinions and beliefs and find common ground. Create a framework where our members can make communal decisions about issues upon which we wish to act. Be proactive as a movement based on these decisions. The World Raise awareness of the issues upon which BBYO has chosen to act. Act as a positive example, by being active individuals trying to better the world. Act as a movement by means of Fundraising Volunteering Political campaigning Support external campaigns with which we share common ground. Demonstrate the Jewish value of Tikkun lam Guiding Principles In order to achieve these aims, we will use the following guiding principles: Jewish values, including Tsedek, Chessed, and Tikkun Olam The democratic process of our movement. Political independence Judaism To be defined in 2007-8 Peer leadership Definitions Leadership is a process of encouraging a group to follow a path based on informed decisions, guided by the leader’s values and those of the group. This requires creating an atmosphere where individuals are open to new ideas and change. Based on this a leader organises, inspires and takes responsibility for the group in order to realise those values. Peer Leadership is a value by which members of a group are empowered to lead that group. Aims Based on this definition BBYO aims to: - Ensure the members are the true owners of the movement. Create a safe and open atmosphere where the members feel comfortable expressing themselves. Ensure every member understands that they are seen as a potential leader in BBYO and are given the opportunities to lead in practise. Ensure every member is given the necessary tools required to lead. Ensure every member views those around them as equals and therefore potential leaders. Encourage every member to contribute to the development and growth of their peers. Develop the self-confidence of every member so that they feel comfortable both to lead and to allow others to lead. Create proactive individuals who can and do take initiative. Encourage every member to develop their own individual leadership style. Develop humble leaders who will learn from their own experience and from others. Safeguard the practise of peer leadership within our movement. Develop educated individuals who are capable of being future leaders of the Jewish community and the Jewish People. Pluralism Definition We are members of a common people who hold diverse beliefs. Our vision as BBYO is that our People will learn to share a common space and live as a Kehillah - Community. To do this we believe that we must acknowledge our diversity and adopt a form of Pluralism based on the following: - Contraction – We create space for the diversity. Companionship – We find friendship in the diversity. Education – We learn from the diversity. Celebration – We embrace the diversity. Aims Based on this definition, we aim: - Contraction That there is space for each individual within our movement. To create an open environment where each individual feels safe expressing their views. That each individual recognises that they have a responsibility to create that space. That each individual is willing to contract in order to make space for one another. Companionship That each individual is able to create friendships with those who come from different backgrounds and who hold diverse beliefs. That these relationships build a community. Education That each individual is able to learn from those around them. That each individual recognises that they have something to teach those around them. That each individual learns to understand those around them based on their respective beliefs. To provide education for each individual about the diversity of which we are a part. That through debate and experience, each individual will challenge their beliefs and either affirm or change them. Celebration That through experiencing this environment each individual will acknowledge that difference is a good thing. That through this everyone in the community will have a shared positive experience. That this community will be an example to the Jewish community and the wider world. Guiding Principles In order to achieve these aims we will use the following guiding principles: - K’vod HaKehillah – Honour of the community – That at all times our community should feel comfortable with our practises. Individuality – That each individual’s beliefs are equally important and unique in the community. Inclusion – That where possible the community should be able to share the same space with everyone included. Consensus – That the community should make its decisions by reaching a consensus taking into account the above principles. These principles will at times conflict with each other, and in those situations, we must prioritise which principles will take precedence at that time. Any decision made with these principles can only be experimental, only when it has been tested out and accepted by the community will it be established as practise. Zionism Definition Zionism is a commitment to the concept of Jewish peoplehood (Am Yisrael), and the expression of that in the land of Israel. We subscribe to this definition because: - As a Jewish youth movement we have a religious and historical connection to the land of Israel; - We believe the Jewish people have a right to a homeland; - Since we have a right to a homeland and a connection to Israel, our homeland should be in Israel. - Israel is a realization of these beliefs, and as such we should proactively support it. Statements of belief We believe that Israel and Diaspora Jewry are inter-dependent, responsible for one another, and partners in the shaping of Jewish destiny. We believe that Israel should strive towards the highest moral ideals, where full civil, human and religious rights exist for all its citizens, thus becoming ‘a light unto the nations’. Aims Based on this definition, we aim: a) To create a personal connection to Israel based on belief, knowledge and experience. b) To engage our members with Jewish and Israeli texts, history, culture and current events. c) To give our members the framework in which to make informed decisions about Israel. d) To support the welfare of the State of Israel in the wider community. e) To encourage our members to feel that they have a stake in the future of the State of Israel. f) To ensure that Israel will be a part of our members’ future.
BBYO is supported by the UJIA © Bnai Brith Youth Organisation UK & Ireland \| District 15