This summer, Arachim held many highly successful seminars
throughout the world. Among the places Arachim reached were
India, South Africa, Hungary, South America and the United
States. Also, much kiruv work was done in Argentina
and Vienna.
The Arachim retreat in Hungary was preceded by much
preparation and groundwork. Among the preparations were
shiurim and study groups geared to the Jewish youth of
this country. The reactions to the idea of the seminar were
very enthusiastic, and positive results weren't late in
coming. A number of participants in the seminar went to Eretz
Yisroel and are currently enrolled in Torah institutions.
200 people participated at a seminar in Johannesburg -- 100
adults and 100 children and youngsters. The organizers of the
seminar made great efforts to provide accommodations at
reduced rates.
Much kiruv work was also done among the younger
generation of Argentina and Vienna. There too, there is a
great thirst for Torah, and hundreds of thousands of Jews
long to learn about their tradition. In Vienna, a convention
attended by 1000 people from all over Europe was held, while
a seminar for Jewish students took place in Argentina.
India was also on Arachim's itinerary, and much kiruv
work was done there too. The majority of those programs were
geared to Israeli and other Jewish youngsters on trips in the
Far East.
This particular effort involved intricate advance planning.
All of the food had to be flown in from Israel, and
relatively very large quantities were needed. The centers
where Israelis generally stay also had to be located, and
information about the seminar had to be publicized in those
areas. Israeli youths in Manali were very surprised to see
Hebrew announcements of discussions on Yiddishkeit
posted throughout the city.
A week before the seminars in Hungary, South Africa and
India, a very successful seminar was held in New York, which
was attended by both Americans and Israelis who settled
there.
Last year, Arachim held a seminar in Thailand. Today, some of
its participants are studying in yeshivos for ba'alei
teshuvah.
