Federation of Zionist Youth
British Zionist youth movement, founded in 1910, that runs camps, tours of 'Israel' and a gap year there
| Federation of Zionist Youth
| |
|---|---|
| Logo | 
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| Type | Zionist youth movement |
| Founded | 1910 |
| Location | United Kingdom |
| Services | Summer and winter camps, Israel Tour, Year Course (gap year in 'Israel'), leadership training |
| Website | fzy.org.uk |
Federation of Zionist Youth (FZY) is a Jewish youth movement in the United Kingdom for 12- to 25-year-olds. It describes itself as "Britain's oldest Jewish, Zionist, Pluralist youth movement" and says it was established in 1910.[1][2] It runs summer camps, tours of 'Israel' and a gap-year programme. It is partnered with Young Judaea in the United States and 'Israel' and with the Scout movement in 'Israel', and is supported by UJIA.[2]
FZY's Zionism is explicit in its name, its self-description and its programmes. These centre on travel to, and long stays in, 'Israel'. It says it "engages in apolitical activism", and that it is "leading campaigns vigorously for the release of Hostages and Missing in Action soldiers". It counts "a former Israeli president and Foreign Minister" among its graduates.[2]
Activities
FZY says it is largely run by its members on sabbatical, supported by full-time administrative staff and an elected national executive board of volunteers. Student volunteers undergo leadership training before leading its camps and tours.[2] Its programmes include winter camp, the summer Israel Tour, leadership courses (Hadracha), Diller Teen Fellows and Year Course, a gap year in 'Israel'.[2]
Israel Tour
FZY's published programme for its summer Israel Tour includes:[3]
- guided tours of Yad Vashem and the Herzl Museum;
- a "Tour of Mount Herzl Military Cemetery" and a "Visit grave of a Lone Soldier from the UK";
- a visit to the Magen David Adom command centre in Jerusalem;
- climbing Masada, a Negev stay with camel riding and "Bedouin Hospitality + Traditional Dinner";
- a visit to the Kotel (Western Wall) and a "Tour of the City of David".
In 2012 the Israeli High Court of Justice permitted the Israel Nature and Parks Authority to contract the Elad Foundation to manage the City of David archaeological site. In a 2018 court petition to end that arrangement, the organisation Emek Shaveh said: "In practice, it seems that the Elad Foundation was given a free hand in operating the City of David site, and built there illegally."[4]
Friends of the Federation of Zionist Youth
A separate registered charity, Friends of the Federation of Zionist Youth (Charity Commission number 261241), raises money for grants and interest-free loans to FZY members on its year-course programmes in 'Israel' and on educational activities in the UK. Its trustees own the building used as FZY's headquarters and provide it rent-free. In the year to 5 April 2025 it had income of £19,003 and spending of £84,000.[5]
See also
- Zionist Youth Council (UK)
- Zionist Federation of the United Kingdom and Ireland
- Young Judaea
- Bnei Akiva
- Habonim Dror
- Zionist movement UK
External links
Notes
- ↑ Federation of Zionist Youth, Home page, accessed 23 October 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Federation of Zionist Youth, About, accessed 23 October 2026.
- ↑ Federation of Zionist Youth, Israel Tour programme breakdown, accessed 23 October 2026.
- ↑ Emek Shaveh, Legal petition: discontinue contractual agreement between INPA and the Elad Foundation, 2 July 2018, accessed 23 October 2026.
- ↑ Charity Commission for England and Wales, Friends of the Federation of Zionist Youth, registered charity 261241, accessed 23 October 2026.