Israel Societies

The Hasmonean Israel Societies are made up principally of Sixth Formers from Year 12 from both the Boys' and Girls' Schools. Their aim is to raise awareness of current issues in Israel, as well as to strengthen the students’ connection to the Land of Israel. This involves organising events during the school year, including inviting guest speakers.

The Israel Society at the Boys' School has organised several events in the past year, including inviting guest speakers such as Rabbi David Oleskar - who explained how we, as Jews, are advocates for Israel. Other speakers have included IDF photographer, David Rubinger, and Rav Aviad Tabory of Bnei Akiva UK. Clive Rosenfeld, the chairman of ‘One Family’ came with two Israeli soldiers and spoke about the support they give to victims of terrorism. Moshe Hertzlich, a member of Mishmeret Yesha (an organisation that gives emergency first-aid to terror victims as well as securing and ensuring the safety of communities in Judea and Samaria by preventing terrorist attacks), visited both Schools to raise students’ awareness of the organisation and to raise funds for it. The Society also carried out a mock Israeli election in March to raise students’ awareness of current affairs and organised numerous events on Yom Ha’Atzma’ut. There have been weekly Zionist history sessions during lunch break for all boys, teaching them about Zionism from the time of Herzl to and including the situation today.

The Girls' School Israel Society has also held a good many events, with guest speakers such as Rav Tabory. There was also a mock election held in March, and a member of JNF came to speak to the girls about the history of Zionism. A special assembly was organized on Yom HaZikaron, with candles and poems to commemorate soldiers who have fallen in Israel’s wars. On Yom Ha’Atzma’ut, there was a breakfast with dancing. A lot of money has been raised by the girls for different charities, including Hazon Yeshaya, a humanitarian organisation in Israel, and Mishmeret Yesha, a first response unit that provides security for communities in Judea and Samaria and administers first-aid at the scene of terrorist attacks.

The Israel Societies have noticeboards in their respective schools which are regularly updated.