Gabrielle, 17, is a member of the Orthodox Jewish youth movement Bnei Akiva. She says her movement "creates a spiritual atmosphere in a fun way" and that "we learn things that are important but you don't notice you're learning". She is now considering a career in youth work.
At the last census there were 70,266 British Jews under the age of 24.
UJIA Makor, an umbrella organisation providing support for youth leaders in Jewish movements, estimates its member organisations represent 12,000 regular participants in groups ranging from pluralist RSY-Netzer (Reform Synagogue Youth), via socialist Habonim Dror, through to Bnei Akiva.
According to Eric Finestone, senior adviser at UJIA Makor, most movements offer usual youth club activities, but "combine them with informal education on Jewish history, religion and culture". Some offer local activities, but the focus is on residential camps.
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