Vision
BINA in the Neighborhood (“BINA Bashchuna”) aims to revitalize and empower underprivileged communities, with an emphasis on culture and education. Activities are facilitated by young Israeli adults (Garinei Nachal) who live communally in the neighborhood being served and combine community work with Jewish learning. Our method is deep-rooted in Jewish values of community and mutual responsibility with Jewish identity and Jewish pluralism at its core.
Activity
Between 70-100 young adults join BINA Bashchuna every year to live, volunteer and study in underprivileged neighborhoods for a period of 6 months to one year and afterwards throughout their military service (“garin nahal” military track). They engage in social action in the neighborhood and participate in weekly study sessions which expose participants to ancient and modern Jewish texts and issues of Jewish culture, Zionism, social justice and identity. These groups form the basis for communities of young secular Jewish Israeli adults who immerse themselves in study and social action and strengthen their commitment to social justice and community leadership, influenced by Jewish values. This program fosters a Jewish context for understanding and grounding social action and nurtures young leaders with a stronger sense of both Jewish identity and social responsibility. BINA Bashchuna participants work in schools, community centers, after school care programs, and other local community-based organizations to benefit thousands of children, youth and elderly in underserved neighborhoods every year.