We turn to you as a friend of World Bnei Akiva to please take a few minutes to watch the following video clip. As someone who cherishes the amazing work World Bnei Akiva has done in the past and is doing in the present I am sure that you will appreciate its importance.
Who are we? What do we do?
World Bnei Akiva - the largest Zionist youth movement in the world - educates its members to live a life of Torah Va`Avoda, with an emphasis on the development of Zionist leadership and social involvement. Its members around the world ensur Jewish Zionist continuity. This is both within the Diaspora communities, and of course encouraging Aliya to Israel.
World Bnei Akiva has over 50,000 members around the world in 151 Snifim (branches), which are scattered throughout 35 countries. 200 Shlichim help to run these Snifim. The movement has 300 Hachshara members in 10 different programs. 1,500 participants attend short- term programs every year, and 100,000 members have already made Aliya through the years. Each year several dozen of our bogrim join up to the IDF for active military service.
Why are we approaching you for help?
World Bnei Akiva is going through continuing economic challenges, representing both short terms trends, but also key changes in the long-term funding within the Jewish World. The economic crisis around the world hit Israeli national institutions hard (eg Jewish Agency, World Zionist Organization) and has caused a cutback of 2,000,000 Shekels from its annual funding.
The drastic reduction in this funding has forced Bnei Akiva to reduce on the number of Shlichim around the world and to close some of its Snifim. there has been the inevitable knock-on effect of a significant reduction in the number of participants coming to Israel attending short and long term programs.
The Movement`s leadership has taken actions in order to cut expenses, including a broad cutback in different positions and a reduction of staff members. Those actions were taken in order to preserve the movement`s achievements despite the difficult situation.
This however, it is not sufficient. We need your help in order to ensure the continuation of the movement`s activities in full force.
What is our goal?
Our goal is to raise the 2,000,000 Shekels is missing from our 2011 financial budget.
What does it mean to be a WBA shareholder and how to become one?
We are reaching out to you, the Movement`s friends around the world, to participate and purchase one share as a donation in the amount of $1,000 per year.
The profit from your investment is very clear - more Shlichim, more chanichim on Israel programs, more Zionist education around the world.
Recognition of your investment will be illustrated at our annual worldwide shareholder's meeting in which we will show you first hand the fruit of your investment.
The first annual shareholder meeting will be held on the 19 of Tishrei 5772 (October 17th 2011) during Chol Hamoed Sukkot at the Begin Center, Jerusalem.
Please help us ensure the continuity of Bnei Akiva!
