BZD Israel

Fight Anti-Semitism With BZD

United Against Anti-Semitism

As many, if not all of you know, anti-Semitism is on the rise throughout the world; the hatred seems to be growing each and every day. Underneath every BZD event, program and trip, we are fighting against this hatred by pulling our community together in hopes to build a future that allows all Jews to live peacefully. In addition, helping to build a strong foundation for all Jews to feel proud of their heritage, and of the state of Israel.

BZD takes pride in acting as a voice for the Baltimore Jewish community, with nearly 100,000 Jews, Baltimore has one of the highest-ranking Jewish populations in the country. Therefore, your donations will serve as one big check from Baltimore to the fight against anti-Semitism.

Without firstly educating our own Jewish community, and connecting them to the state of Israel we cannot expect the world to be educated on who we are, and to receive true facts.

In many cases, it is not enough to just grow up with Judaism as the religion you were born into enough to fight for it when it is threatened; for many, the extent to which they associate themselves with Judaism and Israel stops whenever and wherever their connection to it was severed. This is where BZD comes in; to provide moments in time for our community to connect, and fall more in love with our homeland and our Judaism.

We ask you to team up with BZD and allow us to continue instilling the necessary components of bringing our community together and educating them, while also showing the world that what comes with having one of the biggest populations of Jews in the country, means we show up and we act.

United Against Antisemitism

BZD has created a Facebook group dedicated to spreading awareness about antisemitism around the world and combating the hatred. We hope you will request to join this group, and be a part of the fight as we unite as one.

*All members must answer two questions and agree to the group rules/terms upon approval of their membership.

Zero Tolerance: A Panel Discussion On Antisemitism

On February 13th, 2020, The Baltimore Zionist District (BZD) Held A Panel Discussion About The Rise Of Antisemitism In The World Today.

Thank You To Chizuk Amuno Congregation For Hosting This Important Discussion.

The Panelists Included:

Bryan Leib: National Director, Americans Against Antisemitism

 Sarah Stern: Founder and President, EMET – Endowment for Middle East Truth


Daniel West Cohen: Director of Partnerships, Combat AntiSemitism


Rebecca Harary: Founder and President, Casepac

Maccabi Gap Year

#Travelwithmeaning

The Maccabi Gap Year program is an 8-month program for teens ages 18-19 (post high school) interested in having a unique Israel experience, coordinated and planned by Maccabi World Union.

Participants will have the opportunity to build their leadership skills through our Machon LeMadrchim seminars. You’ll have the option to join the IDF’s Marva experience, train and assist with the Magen David Adom emergency service while living in Tel Aviv, live and work on a kibbutz, tour all over Israel, and learn about the Holocaust through an immersive tour in Poland for one week.

Throughout the program, there will be many opportunities to discover and see Israel from many perspectives.

Interested In Learning More About The Program? Contact Adi Ratzon At Adi@Bzdisrael.Org

A Glimpse Into Your Year

Explore all of the different opportunities you’ll have during the Gap Year. Over a year in Israel, you should find many things that will be exciting, new, educational, and fun. The program includes medical insurance, meals, accommodations, transportation, and programming.

The Gap Year program is fully supervised and coordinated by Maccabi World Union Madrichim under the supervision of the Program Director.

Gap Year Options and Costs

September 7, 2023–June 3, 2024 | $18,200

Machon Le Madrichim
Based at Kiryat Moriah in Jerusalem, the famous Machon course has trained counselors and young educators from all over the world since the 1940s. You’ll learn about innovative pedagogical techniques, Israeli sociology, Middle East conflicts, and many other subjects. The classroom is Israel and you’ll be able to develop your leadership, public speaking, and project planning skills. Enjoy many guided study tours and excursions all over Israel to bring your course work to life and volunteer in Israeli NGOs, which will allow you to truly immerse yourself in Israeli society.
Kibbutz
A kibbutz is a co-operative, communal living environment. You’ll have the opportunity to adopt the kibbutz lifestyle by working and living side-by-side with locals. On the kibbutz, you’ll work, learn, and practice your Hebrew, swim, play sports, and so much more. A madrich will live with you on the kibbutz and will organize activities which may include lectures, sports, day trips, games, and city visits.
Tel Aviv Immersion: Live Like A Local
During this part of the program, you will live in apartments in Tel Aviv with 3-6 roommates. There will be evening activities led by the Madrichim or various professional speakers. While living in Tel Aviv, participants will receive a weekly stipend and be responsible for their own food shopping, cleaning, cooking, laundry, and other housekeeping. Madrichim will also live on site and be around to help. Staples of the Tel Aviv experience include learning Hebrew at Ulpan, volunteering with Magen David Adom (MDA). Magen David Adom is the medical emergency assistance in Israel. The MDA course will give international certification for each participant.
Marva
Service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is an important element in the life of young Israelis. The army is a personality-forging rite-of-passage that strengthens Israeli’s patriotism and identification with the State of Israel. Marva, participation in the IDF, will undoubtedly deepen participant’s sense of belonging to the Jewish People and in Israel. Marva will deliver a ‘boot camp’ experience to understand military life, as well as provide practical skills to learn the ethical content of the IDF. Throughout the program, participants will be led by a team of Officers and Sergeants, and will be under their command 24/7.

BZD Membership 2024-2025

Annual Membership Dues: $77.00

Early membership begins July 1, 2024. BZD Membership Year: September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025

Thank You For Your Support Of The Baltimore Zionist District!