Shnat 5787 / 2026-7

What is Netzer Olami?

Netzer Olami is the worldwide Progressive Youth organisation. RSY is one of the two UK branches of this movement. We are an ideological, progressive, inclusive and dynamic community, with a modern and exciting approach to being Jewish. We empower young people to make Progressive Jewish values a meaningful part of their lives.

What is Shnat Netzer?

Shnat Netzer is our 6-month gap year programme, which will be joint with LJY-Netzer. You will come together with different branches of Netzer Olami to explore your Jewish identity further. We are currently working hard to create an exciting programme full of chinuch (education), volunteer work, and of course so much KEF (fun)!

This is what the programme could look like

South Africa

Spend a month with Netzer South Africa, experiencing the culture, leading on their summer events, learning about the history, exploring new places. Over this month you will have the opportunity to be part of something bigger by making connections with another Netzer branch, including meeting South Africans who are likely to join the Israel component. Learn new hadracha skills, songs, and camp traditions.

Kibbutz Lotan

Volunteer at the Lotan Ecological Centre. Your mornings will be spent contributing to the centre’s environmental projects. Beyond the practical work, you’ll have sessions to deepen your understanding of Judaism, kibbutz life, and sustainability. You’ll also have the opportunity to look after the kibbutz children, a really special way to integrate into the community and develop your hadracha skills. You can find out more about Kibbutz Lotan here: https://kibbutzlotan.com/en/home-en/

Haifa

Live independently in communal apartments, experiencing day-to-day life in Haifa while engaging in meaningful volunteering with the range of communities in the area, including Palestinian Citizens of Israel, Druze, Olim (immigrants), and Israelis. Volunteer opportunities include working in education, community support, or grassroots social justice initiatives. There will also be sessions from Netzer and organizations such as ‘Seeds of Peace’ and ‘IRAC’, offering diverse perspectives on activism and leadership. These sessions will explore the Jewish roots of social justice, connecting hands-on volunteering to broader values of Tikkun Olam. You can find out more about our volunteering provider here: https://www.yahelisrael.com/

We will have more information soon, including dates and information evening booking.