Noam Masorti Youth - Statement of Purpose

MASORTI JUDAISM - December 2005

i. Noam is the youth movement for the Assembly of Masorti Synagogues. We operate in the Halachic framework as laid down by Masorti Rabbis.

ii. Torah and Halacha comprise the backbone of Judaism and we recognise our obligation to follow them.

iii. We also believe Judaism must engage with the challenge of modernity, contemporary scholarship and Moral Imperatives. We all inherit the tradition and believe that it is a living and dynamic system.

iv. We seek to imbibe our members with the knowledge and skills to develop a love for Jewish practice and learning. We aim to provide educational opportunities for all our members such as the opportunities that are offered at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

v. Noam believes in personal autonomy and opposes religious fundamentalism and coercion.

vi. Noam is an egalitarian Masorti Kehila (community) and believes that men and women are both equally obligated in all areas of Jewish practice.

vii. Noam seeks to be an engaged, literate, questioning, observant, vibrant and caring Kehila, that is the driving force behind the Masorti Community and its future.

viii. Through Noam each member is able to embark upon their own Jewish journey and engage with our own unique tradition.

ZIONISM December 2003, amended December 2004

i. Noam is the Zionist Youth Movement of the Assembly of Masorti Synagogues.

ii. We believe in the necessity of a state for the Jewish people in our homeland Eretz Yisrael. This state must contain a Jewish majority in order to maintain its democratic and Jewish nature.

iii. We promote and support the vision of Israel living within secure borders and at peace with her neighbours.

iv. We believe Israel enables the ultimate expression of Jewish national identity whilst also serving to protect Jewish rights throughout the world.

v. We believe in the ingathering of the Jewish people to Israel through Aliyah from all countries.

vi. Aliyah is the highest expression of Zionism a Noam member can make. Aliyah will be encouraged and supported. With this we value, respect and encourage all forms of Zionism in the Diaspora.

vii. Noam will provide the opportunity for its members to spend time in Israel in order to develop a love for the land, people and culture and religion; we will further foster this relationship in the UK through our machanot and other activities.

viii. Hebrew is the language of the Jewish people. Noam will teach and use it wherever possible.

ix. Through Noam's actions in Israel we strive to create a 'chevra l'mofer' (ideal society) based on Noam's pillars, which include Tikkun Olam and democracy.

x. Noam will advocate Israel's cause as outlined above and provide its members with the tools to accomplish this.

xi. Noam is committed to providing its members with a detailed, historical understanding of the emergence of Modern Zionism and the State of Israel. (2004 amendment)

DEMOCRACY December 2005

i. Noam is a democracy run by its members for its members.

ii. Noam values democracy both as a concept and as a system. Noam believes in three core elements of democracy: competition, political participation and equality. Noam strongly encourages its members to promote and participate in democracy both within and without the movement.

iii. Noam empowers its members to change the movement formally at Veida and through their actions throughout the year.

iv. Noam strives to delegate the decision-making process to its members by empowering them to take on leadership roles and other positions of responsibility in which they are able to make their own autonomous decisions.

v. Noam defends its right as a movement and a community to make autonomous decisions and act upon them.

vi. Noam believes that the responsibility and opportunity to launch Noam projects lie in the hands of all Noam members. The Mazkirut will serve to facilitate the creation and running of all such projects.

vii. Noam's members should engage with the democratic system in Israel and the issues related to it.

HADRACHA December 2005

i. Noam believes all its members have the potential to be leaders and will benefit from becoming leaders. We aim to further the development of both ourselves and the Noam community through Hadracha.

ii. Noam's hadracha is based on the idea of achieving hagshama (self-realisation), helping each individual to fulfil their potential. Noam believes strongly in personal development and values each of its members as individuals.

iii. Through actively taking up leadership roles we believe that Madrichim can be educators whilst themselves being educated.

iv. We aim to promote and foster high standards of Hadracha through training programmes and experience. We believe in the centrality of feedback to this process. Noam Hadracha should push the boundaries of informal education, through innovative and exciting means.

v. Madrichim are committed to creating a close, inclusive and caring ruach (spirit)-filled atmosphere on all Noam events.

vi. By striving to live out our ideology we aim to become a Dugma Ishit (Role Model) and an Or L'Tnua (light onto our movement). Positive Dugma is the best way to pass Noam's ideology on to its members.

vii. Noam aims to create a safe and open environment for debate on all issues within a supportive and informed framework.

viii. Through Hadracha we aim to promote, educate and live out Noam's other four pillars.

ix. Noam is committed to tracking the progress and achievements of all its Madrichim, in order to provide its members with individually focused skills and training throughout their time in the movement.

TIKKUN OLAM December 2005

i. Noam believes that every individual and the Movement as a whole have the obligation of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world); advancing equality, peace and justice to whatever exent and with whatever means are at their disposal. We see this obligation as moral and Halachic.

ii. Noam will educate its members about the meaning of Tikkun Olam, including Gemillut Hasadim (acts of loving kindness) and Tzedakah (justice, charity) as well as informing members about causes and ways they can get involved.

iii. Noam uses its position as a Youth Movement to raise awareness regarding relevant issues from the local to the international stage as selected by the Vad Tikkun Olam (the annually elected Tikkun Olam Council) and Noam will strive to publicise these issues and encourage its members to take an active role in dealing with them.

iv. Noam aims to equip its members with a strong sense of justice, a recognition of their responsibilities as members of humanity and a motivation to further their commitment to Tikkun Olam throughout their lives.Noam's Ideology