"Shabbat Irgun"

For anyone in Israel with children in the Bnei Akiva youth movement, you know that this week is “Shabbat Irgun.” You know this because you have barely seen your children for the past seven days. They have been at the clubhouse – “snif,” in Hebrew – painting murals on the walls, learning their dances, their plays, and for some, their bicycle acrobatics. On Saturday night, the newest – the youngest – “tribe” gets their name, a name they will keep forever. I know this because I still remember the name of my tribe: Ariel. So does my wife: HaYovel (Jubilee), celebrating 50 years of Bnei Akiva. So do my children. My children have all gone through Bnei Akiva, and some of my grandchildren are already in Bnei Akiva. This year, the ten-year old daughters of our second child began their odyssey.

But before we talk about the meaning, let’s talk about the numbers. Bnei Akiva is not just another youth movement. It is a living, breathing institution that has become an integral part of Israeli society. In Israel, Bnei Akiva is thriving. Attendance has been rising since the organization began. According to Bnei Akiva’s own statistics, membership in Israel has grown steadily, with over 70,000 active members in more than 400 branches nationwide as of 2024. The numbers for Shabbat Irgun itself are equally impressive. In 2023, over 100,000 people attended Shabbat Irgun events across Israel, with some branches reporting record participation. In cities like Jerusalem, Modi’in, and Be’er Sheva, attendance at the main Shabbat Irgun ceremonies exceeded 1,500 people per branch. Nationally, Bnei Akiva estimates that more than 80% of its members participate in Shabbat Irgun activities, a level of engagement that is virtually unheard of in youth movements elsewhere. The Israel Scouts – Tzofim – have been just as successful, with over 90,000 members, making it the largest youth movement in Israel.

This is a remarkable achievement, especially when compared to similar organizations abroad. For example, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts – now just “Scouts” – in the United States have seen their attendance plummet over the past thirty years. In 1972, the Boy Scouts of America boasted over 6.5 million members; by 2023, that number had dropped below 1 million. The Girl Scouts have seen a similar decline, with membership falling from 3.8 million in 2003 to just over 1.7 million in 2023. So why is Bnei Akiva so successful? Why are youth movements in Israel thriving, while similar movements in the US are struggling to survive? Perhaps it is because Bnei Akiva is an observant organization with timeless Torah values. Perhaps it is because Bnei Akiva preaches idealism – Bnei Akiva graduates tragically made up a large portion of the soldiers killed and wounded these past two years. The commitment to “Torah and Avodah,” the motto of Bnei Akiva meaning “Torah and Work”: to building the land and defending it, is not just a slogan; it is a lived reality.

But the real answer, I believe, has to do with a love of the nation. In the US, it is no longer in vogue. In Israel, it is vital. The sense of belonging, of being part of something greater than oneself, is woven into the fabric of Israeli society. When an Israeli child joins a youth movement, they are not just joining a club; they are joining a movement that has shaped the country. They are learning that their actions matter, that their voices count, and that their commitment to their land and to the people of Israel is not just theoretical – it is practical, immediate, and essential.

Shabbat Irgun is the culmination of this ethos. For one week, the snif becomes the center of the universe. Children and their teenage counselors work together, often late into the night, to create something beautiful. They paint, they build, they rehearse, they argue, they laugh, and more often than not they cry. On Shabbat, the entire community comes together to celebrate their achievements. Parents (and grandparents), siblings, and neighbors fill the synagogue and the snif, watching as the next generation takes its place in the chain of tradition – in the circle of life, if you will. The highlight is the naming of the new tribe, a rite of passage that connects each child to the history of Bnei Akiva and to the story of the Jewish people.

But the real success of Bnei Akiva, and of youth movements in Israel more broadly, is not measured in numbers alone. It is measured in the sense of purpose, the commitment to values, and the willingness to serve. In a country where every family has been touched by conflict, where the challenges are real and immediate, youth movements provide a framework for resilience, leadership, and hope. They teach our children that they are not alone, that they are part of a community that cares for them, and that their contribution matters.

In the United States, the decline of youth movements reflects a broader trend: the erosion of communal identity and the rise of individualism. Patriotism, once a unifying force, has become a source of division. The idea of serving something greater than oneself is often met with skepticism, if not outright hostility. In Israel, by contrast, the sense of national mission is alive and well. Bnei Akiva and the Tzofim are not relics of the past; they are engines of the future. It is a safe bet that their numbers will continue to rise.

My oldest daughter wrote on our family WhatsApp group, “Truth is that while I’m quite the cynic, I was moved by the ceremony. With everyone standing together and singing the Bnei Akiva anthem, you feel part of something much greater than yourself”. As I watch my grandchildren prepare for Shabbat Irgun, I am filled with pride and gratitude. I know that they are part of something extraordinary. They are learning to lead, to serve, and to love their people and their land. In a world that often seems fractured and uncertain, Israeli youth groups offer a vision of unity, purpose, and hope. And that, more than anything else, is why Shabbat Irgun matters.

Good things,

Ari Sacher