Zionist youth movement

A Zionist youth movement (Hebrew: תנועות הנוער היהודיות הציוניות, romanized: tnuot hanoar hayehudiot hatsioniot) is an organization formed for Jewish children and adolescents for educational, social, and ideological development, including a belief in Jewish nationalism as represented in the State of Israel.

Youth movements played a considerable role in politics, Jewish education, community organisation, and Zionism, particularly between the two world wars.

With the growth and development of the country, the movements' aims have been adjusted despite lessened public interest in the pioneering ideals of earlier Zionism.

Many youths, particularly from the large community of American Jews, have opted for Jewish social groups without ideological pursuits.

Zionist youth movements, both in Israel and the diaspora, continue to play a large role in community organisation, Jewish education, welfare, politics and activism.

While upholding and adjusting their individual movement ideologies, diaspora movements commonly idealise Jewish continuity and identity in opposition to cultural assimilation, and Zionism in the way of active community involvement while living in Israel (termed by some as aliyah nimshechet or continuing ascent), with importance placed upon leadership skills and personal development.

Movements generally focus on education for school-age youths, who are known as chanichim (Hebrew for educatees; singular chanich or chanicha), approximately aged 8 to 18.

Leaders use methods of informal education to inspire and teach chanichim within a particular ideological framework or to induce discussion and thought.

Such events are also highly social and often involve recreational activity., making the educational and ideological pursuits more enjoyable for participating youths.