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Israel Resources
The Israel Club: HeChalutzim
Israel is one of the three pillars of USY and therefore there is a special club dedicated for USYers who
are extremely passionate and committed to our Jewish homeland. USY believes that Israel is the homeland of
the Jewish people, and living in the Diaspora, our organization feels a connection to Israel and works to
promote solidarity with Israel.
One way in which we express this connection is through a special club in USY -
HeChalutzim. The word "HeChalutzim" is Hebrew for "the
pioneer" and just as the pioneers who initially came to Israel to work toward the building of the state,
these chalutzim work to maintain the State and help the State grow, even though we may be far away.
Membership to this club costs $10 and with this membership, USYers receive the
HeChalutzon newsletter, join the HeChalutzim
listserve and can attend special programs dedicated just to members of the club.
As a chapter Israel Affairs Vice President, it is your job to advertise this club and to make the
members of this club feel special. Try to hold a members only lounge night, or charge $10 for an Israel
program and automatically sign up everybody who comes.
The key to making HeChalutzim successful is making sure that every USYer throughout every region
realizes how important constantly knowing about Israel is. We hope that as the Israel leaders of your
regions and chapters you will make this happen.
How to Advertise HeChalutzim
To spark USYers' interest in joining HeChalutzim, advertise a special gift that all members in your
chapter will receive upon joining! Try to be creative and choose something that will cost little or no
money. Some ideas include:
- Design a piece of clothing for members. Ideas include a standard t-shirt or something more exciting
such as scrubs, a sweatshirt, or sweatpants. When I say standard I don't mean regarding originality.
Design it and make it really spark people's interests. Be funny and make it entertaining and catchy. If a
person sees the same old shirt that person quite honestly won't really care (I know I wouldn't). So take
some time and don't be afraid to test the boundaries and limits of your objective.
- Hand out the big, nice Israeli flags to all new members and tell them to prance around and show off
their flag waving skills. (It guarantees a good time no matter what.)
- Give out free Israeli chocolate bars to new members.
- Give out key chains, magnets, bumper stickers and/or similar items with phrases such as "I love
Israel" or "HeChalutzim" or "USY Loves Israel" on them - the possibilities are endless. Then they will
show all their friends how cool HeChalutzim is!
- Give a Steve's Packs mini-wallet or change purse to members. Since this can be a little pricey,
sell them at the event and give a discount to HeChalutzim members.
- Buy or make old-time pioneer hats that say "Chalutzim."
- Offer every USYer who joins HeChalutzim an "I love Israel" package, complete with a little flag
and/or flag pin (the Israeli embassy often gives these away), a copy of the latest HeChalutzon and of
course some yummy Israeli chocolate.
- Give a Hebrew/English dictionary to new members (possibly along with one of the above gifts) - this
will encourage learning the language of M'dinat Yisrael!
- Make a mix CD with Israeli music (both traditional and pop) to give out to members as a gift.
Possible songs include:
- Yuda Yuda, by HaSmachot
- Shir L'Ahava (Yachad), by Gaya
- Zemer Nogeh, by Shlomo Artzi
- Oof Gozal, by Shlomo Arzi
- Panim El Mul Panim, by Yehuda Poliker
- Od Yavo Shalom
- Mitchat LaShamayim, by David Broza
- Yihiyeh Tov, by David Broza
- Ani V'Atah, by Arik Einshtein
- Livkot Lecha, by Aviv Gefen
- ZeHakol Bishvilech, by Danny Sanderson
- Shir LaShalom, by Lehakat HaNachal
- Tachzor Tachzor, by Mashina
- Ma Nishma, by Budweiser Israel
- I am Israeli, by Shlomi Tamam
- Muppets Show Theme (Hebrew)
- Salaam, by Sheca
- Anachnu M'vorchim, by Rick Recht
- Shabbos Yerushalayim, by Miami Boys Choir
- Halicha l'Kesaria (Eli Eli), by Arik Einstein
- Yerushalayim Shel Zahav, by Ofra Haza
- Al Kol Eleh - USY Bench Remix
- Kol Haolam Kulo, by Vanilla Chai
- Al Shlosha, by Rick Recht
- Yad Be Yad, by Pestigal
- Yitzhak Rabin, by Alpha Blondy
- Diva, by Dana International
- Shalom Baolam, by Rick Recht
- Bashana Haba'a, by Yom Chadash
- Give each member a Kippah.
- Give out Israeli snack food to HeChalutzim members such as: Bagela, Bissli, Bamba, Mekupelet,
Parpar, Kif Kef, Mugzam, Pesek Zman, Davka, Shuki, Rega Tov, Casino, Kinder, Crembo.
- Send out cards to all HeChalutzim members before all Israeli holidays (such as Yom Ha'Atzmaut and
Yom Yerushalayim).
Great Programs for Members
- Create a program that will teach USYers Hebrew! This can go hand in hand with the Israeli dictionary
gift idea above.
One program idea is Ivrit Achshav, started in CHUSY, where signs were made for different Hebrew words.
Each sign included the English word, transliteration, translation to Hebrew, and a picture. The signs were
sent out to all of the chapters in CHUSY and posted in appropriate places around youth lounges. (Words
included places in the youth lounge such as refrigerator, ceiling, chair, etc.) Teach a Hebrew word before
each lounge night or other chapter program.
- Have a special outing for members like to an Israel concert or restaurant.
- Establish a connection with teens from NOAM, USY's sister organization in Israel.
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