Connecting for Change: Ajyal Joins Us at Camp Shomria

This week, we had the amazing opportunity to host our sister Israeli-Arab movement, Ajyal, at Camp Shomria. Ajyal, with its vibrant network of over 30 branches across Israel, runs youth leadership programs in northern and southern Israel, providing Palestinian citizens of Israel with professional training in activism, work experience, and a deeper understanding of their unique identity. Ajyal partners with Hashomer Hatzair’s social justice centers and has led campaigns for social change and better services for the Arab community in Israel. 

Ajyal is a partner for peacebuilding and a member of the Hashomer Hatzair family, and we are honored to host them at Mosh! 

During their visit, the 13 chanichim/ot, (campers) participated in a leadership and activism seminar with Kibbutzi, our oldest kvutza (age group). In the evenings they would connect with the rest of the Mosh community, participating in erevim (evening activities), cooking homemade maqluba for us on shabbat, and showing us Palestinian dances.   

Over the last few days, they engaged in meaningful political dialogue, taught us about their movement and learned more about our’s, and most importantly, showcased that there is a hopeful alternative to the prevailing conflicts. 

This was an opportunity to spread ideas and one that will be a formative experience for both groups. Ghasak, a chanicha from Tur’an, a town slightly north of Nazareth, shared her excitement, saying, “Being part of Ajyal has made me more confident. I’m really looking forward to joining everyone at Camp Shomria because I know Hashomer Hatzair has had a similar impact on many others. In today’s world, connecting with people from our movements and promoting peace is more crucial than ever.”

Watching Ajyal integrate within our community this past week brought me so much hope for the future. During these turbulent times, the most important thing we can do is connect with one another and learn from one another. Thanks to your support, we are able to offer these life-changing experiences and equip our chanichim/ot (campers) and hadracha (the staff of madrichim/ot) with the skills necessary to navigate this world through a more cooperative and empathetic lens.