For three days in the Negev desert, six of our students participated in the Australasian Zionist Youth Council’s (AZYC) annual seminar, the umbrella organization uniting Zionist youth movements from Australia and New Zealand. Focused on “The Courage to Disagree,” the seminar taught leadership tools for navigating ideological divides in the Jewish world, from left and right to secular and religious.
Through workshops on machloket l’shem shamayim (disagreement for the sake of heaven), students practiced maintaining dialogue despite differences, turning disagreement into a tool for growth. They also enjoyed the desert setting, baking pita bread under the stars and connecting with peers.
“The AZYC seminar was an incredible experience! I loved meeting new people and hearing a range of opinions and insights. It was inspiring to see how people with such different beliefs could come together through our shared Jewish identity and history. The discussions made me feel a stronger sense of pride in my Judaism and reminded me how powerful unity can be, even with diverse perspectives.”- Ariella , Eitan Community
“Being in the desert gave the experience a different energy. I felt proud to represent Aardvark Israel and hear Jewish Australians my age with very different views. We may not agree on solutions, but we agree we can talk, listen, and reach one.” – Orson, Eitan Community
“The seminar raised important conversations about Jewish identity and community connections. I saw our students actively participate, lead discussions, and build friendships with Australian and New Zealand peers. It was a true privilege.” – Itamar, Madrich Barak Community
“Initially I had concerns about spending three days in the desert with people holding such different views. But during one circle discussion, I realized our similarities far outweigh our differences. We’re brave enough to put difficult issues on the table and address them – that’s how we grow and solve problems genuinely.” – Sam, Eitan Community
The experience was truly eye-opening – I learned that I’m more open to challenging conversations than I initially realized. Representing Aardvark Israel at this event felt like an honor, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect with other young Jewish Australians in such a meaningful way.” – Noah, Eitan Community
We’re thrilled to see our students return enriched with new perspectives, practical leadership tools, and strengthened connections to their Australian and New Zealand Jewish peers.
This seminar represents another important step in deepening Aardvark Israel’s partnership with the AZYC community, as we work together to develop the next generation of Jewish leaders across the globe.
We’re already looking forward to the next seminar!
The Aardvark Israel Staff