Shotar The Jewish Teenagers Overseas: A Perspective on Their Lives The British Experience what makes the Jews of Britain who and what they are. In their early teens, all children go through many stages. For the Jewish child the stages are probably more complex than for those of the non-Jew. British Jew- ry is proud of its manifold youth groups which, it is hoped, will bring all shades of Jewish youth together and help prevent assimilation. Our organizations are spread out, not just in towns but in villages and areas right across the country-ranging from B.B.Y.O., Maccabbi, Reform Syna- gogues Youth, Federation of Zionist Youth, and the Association of Jewish Youth Simone Kon Clubs, as well as Jewish Youth Study Groups and B'nai Akiva. Different types of By Simone Kon (N'siah of Stanmore youngsters go to different types of clubs, BBYO) but in Britain, we are happy to have some- "Here we are, a tiny part of a small eth- thing for everyone. MARYLAND nic minority, trying to grow from well- These youth groups all offer their own programs of amusement and entertainment, ble Jewish adults despite the surround- and you can almost certainly guarantee ing pressures from W.A.S.P.S., Catholics, the kind of cultural and educational activi- Methodists, Buddhists, Moslems, Hindus ties we practice in youth organizations Jewish teenage life in America and a strong involvement in BBYO influenced the and the rest-and, in Britain at least, for as well as a disco by one youth group or three former n'siot pictured above to spend time in Israel upon high school the first time we are no longer the largest another every weekend. There are matzah graduation. Shown from left, are Brenda Fishman, who made Aliyah with her ethnic minority. rambles at Pesach; trips around big cities family; Jenny Fox, who studied at Hebrew University for a year; and Brenda From childhood, most of us have been and to the coast during the summer; and Silverman, who made Aliyah. brought up to know of our Jewish culture sports days and weekend conventions and history both at home and by going to away from home. "Chedar" classes at our local synagogues Of course, just like you, from BBYO in on Sunday mornings. How most of us other countries, we have other kinds of the The French The Israeli Side hated those Sunday mornings! Reciting species who are not interested in being aleph bet and the months of the year over part of any organized youth group. The and over; learning to read a strange lan- parents are often rich and the Mummys Jewish Teenager guage without understanding a word: are often beautiful (which is not to say hearing Biblical stories over and over. It that the rest of us have ugly Mums!). By F. Gerschel (BBYO Lille) was not until the great day of the Bar/Bat Sadly, anti-Semitism in the U.K. is not so What's the French man's reputation all Mitzvah that we realized how much it was rare. And racism is not directed only over the world? Most people imagine him worthwhile; especially on receipt of the against Jews. Blacks, Asians and Chinese with the famous "beret" and with the tra- gold watch from Uncle Morris and the are victims too. In general, the indigenous ditional "baguette" (bread stick) under his check from Grandma and Grandpa and British youth are a confused race and arm. that great new stereo system from Mum the skin-heads, punk-rockers and mods, of But French people, and especially Jew- and Dad! But, seriously, by the time we whom we're sure you've heard much, ish teenagers, are not SO old-fashioned! reach our teens, most of us are very grate- join groups such as the National Front- The French Jewish teenager is "brauche," ful to know the importance of Jewish which describes itself as a party of nation- which means he has a very modern look. knowledge, the peace of Shabbat, the rea- al pride that displays Nazi tendencies He knows what dating means (courting sons for fasting on Yom Kippur and of rather than true patriotism. They want the girls has always been a French specialty). not celebrating our New Year with big par- Blacks out of Britain-and they want the He's also a perfect "decanneur" ("decan- ties, and why we eat cheesecake on Jews out too. In Sunderland in the North neur" means he kicks up a storm). You'll Shavuot. We are also glad that we have a of England recently, a group of these ab- never get bored if he's with you; in each knowledge and understanding of ourselves horrent yobs have tried to stop Jewish stu- situation he knows a way to have some Dorit Herbst so that we can face the great plague of dents at the local Polytechnic from hav- fun. In these matters, he has few equals in anti-Semitism in the full realization of Continued on Page 2 Europe, and even in the whole world. By Dorit Herbst (a member of Noar But he's also involved with traditions, Lenoar) religion, and Jewish culture. More and more teenagers are going to the services Teenage life in Israel is automatically every Shabat because they want to fight Jewish life, because we live and breathe against assimilation. More than to religion, Jewish life every moment of the day. we are often attached to Jewish tradi- To begin with, our school system inte- tions, assets, and also dance and songs. grates Judaism into the main part of our We're also very attached to Israel. Each historical studies. We not only explore the year some of us make Aliyah, but we also history of the Jews but the history of Is- have the possibility to do our military ser- rael as a State. Aside from that, we cele- vice in the Israeli army or to join Israeli brate each festival and learn about the universities. We also want to have respon- holidays as part of our daily studies. sibilities in our Jewish community For Like teenagers throughout a good part example, some of us ensure the communi- of the world, we begin school after a vaca- ty's protection from anti-Semitic acts. tion period. Opening in September, the E For all these reasons, French Jewish start of the school year frequently coin- teenagers are exactly made for BBYO and cides with the celebration of Rosh for its spirit. And this explains the strik- Hashanah. Our school week is comprised ing and spreading success of BBYO in of six days of study instead of five, and France! Continued on Page 8