Shvilim consists of a diverse group of Jewish teens from all over the world, with the aim of strengthening leadership skills, understanding their own Jewish identity and learning about world jewry and antisemitism world wide. Our group reaches all the way from South America to Norway, which enables us to not only learn about our jewish differences but explore each others national cultures. We constantly discuss cultural and religious differences. One of the strongest bonding moments we have is spending the Shabbat together in a religious manner, which most participants never do, bringing everybody to a better understanding and feeling of religion.
By living together, and being away from home, we transform and mature to become more independent and structured young leaders ready to take on any challenge and becoming like family, which is strengthened by a boarding style living. But how does leadership even look like? How can an entire group practice leadership? The way Shvilim sees it, is that leadership needs to be practiced in daily tasks and practices. In our group, everyone is responsible for a different field such as logistics, content or recruitment. This gives us the feel of what it is actually like to be responsible, where not only our actions have consequences, but also make a positive impact. One of the strongest takeaways we found in traveling the Jewish world, is that no matter where we go, we are always welcomed with hospitality, good food and a bed. Looking through our vast alumni networks, we are proud to have Jewish leaders on college campuses and alumni serving in leadership and public service roles alike.
