Firstly the Betar offices have moved, we are now situated inside Beyachad on the second floor! It is from our new hub that we have been coordinating all of the following events…

Firstly both maddies and channies alike came together to assist the Chevra Kadisha with the Pesach appeal. We set out collecting food at Spar in Norwood and Savoy and spent a day packing everything we had collected to ensure that all families would be able to enjoy a yom tov meal. Thanks to the all those that helped with this initiative.

It was not all work and no play; Hashies and Katan came out in full force for the screening of happy feet which their madrichim had organised for them. The movie along with popcorn resulted in many happy faces! Kanaim, Biluim and Bnei Etzel have been engaging in many coffee sessions and from the turnout it is evident that it is on the top ten things list to be doing with the mads, especially in this cold weather! Bnei Etzel could not seem to be apart for lengthy periods of time and so they went go-karting, this was a day filled with energy and copious amounts of laughter.

We felt that the madrichim also required some unique bonding time and we organised a mads reunion, well the aim of the event was a reunion but seeing as we went to play paint ball, forming alliances may have resulted in the opposite effect. In true Betar style the event was characterised by laughter, laughter and no doubt a couple of bruises, but all in the name of fun!

These events ensured that the right excitement and suspense was in the air, ready to be channelled into additional creative and enjoyable ways. The next event was Mini Machaneh which took place from the 4th to 6th of May at Dimalachite. Mini Machanot are always exciting events especially since it is the time for channies to become maddies! This is a phenomenal sight as we see new bonds formed, new roles played and the sense of pride felt is overwhelming.  While mini Machanot are aimed at the younger age groups the older shichavot have National Seminar to look forward to!

This is the first time in seven years that we are once again having a national seminar! We have decided to bring back the legendary event and enable the older shichavot the opportunity to experience what they have only heard about. National seminar is for channichim in Grade 8 to matric, as there are no younger groups the whole focus of national seminar is different where the programs and type of interaction is of a more advanced nature. The aim of national seminar is purely to have a good time and while doing so learn some leadership skills. There will be outdoor activities such as obstacle courses and river rafting which will definitely get the adrenalin and laughter going! We will be staying at Maraneman near vereeniging and takes place from the 1st to 6th July . Forms are available on the Betar website: www.betar.org.za

In case anyone is feeling left out there is another mini Machaneh in August and of course the event of the year, main Machaneh!

For more information you can find us on: facebook under the group ‘Betar SA’, on the net at www.betar.org.za, stop by our new offices or you can contact: Ryan Sauer on 082 851 3963

Shalom and Tel Hai!

Joy Dijkman