Bnei Akiva inspires and empowers young Jews with a sense of commitment to the Jewish people (Am Yisrael), the Land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael) and the Torah (Torat Yisrael). As the largest Orthodox Jewish youth movement in the UK, Bnei Akiva runs weekly activities, summer and winter camps, tours and gap years in Israel, and so much more!

We’re an inclusive youth movement, so while we have high religious standards, everyone is welcome. And wherever you go in the world, you’ll find Bnei Akiva – we have branches in 37 countries all over the globe!

‘Bnei Akiva’ means ‘the children of Akiva’, and our ideology relates directly to the story of Rabbi Akiva. At the age of 40, after growing up tending flock, he decided that he needed to find out the essence of the Jewish faith. He reasoned that just as something as soft as water can penetrate a solid rock and cause it to erode, so too can the Torah penetrate into himself.

We endeavour to follow Rabbi Akiva’s qualities, namely his love of Hashem, his devotion to the Torah, his love of Israel and the fight for its independence, and respect for work.

Bnei Akiva gives young Jewish people a framework to live a religious lifestyle in the modern world and a mission to make an active contribution to our community and the State of Israel

Bnei Akiva is more than just a cohort of individuals, we are a united community of like minded, young individuals. We describe ourselves as a youth movement, constantly changing and reshaping, moving with the times. To become part of this incredible community, all you need to do is sign up for your Mas Chaver.

Our Ideology is that of Torah Va’Avodah. In a nut shell, that expresses itself as Religious Zionism and Modern Orthodoxy. We at Bnei Akiva couple the challenges of living an orthodox Jewish Life within the modern world as well as promoting the need to make a positive contribution to Israel, in Israel.

In 2019 Bnei Akiva celebrated its 80th birthday in the UK!

You can read more about Bnei Akiva’s history by clicking the button below.