Ariel Youth Movement was founded in 5739 (1979).
This youth movement was established by a group of adolescent boys and girls who decided to operate within the framework of a youth movement in the ways of the Torah, with modesty, sanctity and full gender separation.
In 5739 (1979) a group of youths established the “Between the Walls” chapter in Jerusalem – the first Bnei Akiva chapter with separation between boys and girls. Establishment of this chapter raised strong opposition on the part of Bnei Akiva national management at the time. The chapter operated nonetheless and ultimately the youth movement’s management agreed to its functioning as a separate chapter.
While the debate about the Between the Walls chapter raged, youth from the Givat Shmuel neighborhood began to attend the chapter. The number of members justified the opening of a neighborhood chapter for these children. When the Givat Shmuel chapter opened, in the month of Sivan (May) 5739 (1979), it was called a chapter of Bnei Akiva by those who established it. However after a period of struggle, and strong opposition by Bnei Akiva management to establishing additional separate chapters within the youth movement framework, the activists decided to establish a new youth movement, that would be called – Ariel, in which the Givat Shmuel chapter would operate, as well as the chapters that would follow.
In 5780 (1980) the Ariel youth movement was officially established as an “Israeli youth movement”.
The Ariel youth movement operates in 75 chapters throughout the country.
Its motto is “A Torah of life with all its vigor!”, aspiring to a full Torah of life that endures with vigor and fills with vitality, creation and joy. Ariel youth movement members participate in activities twice a week, in the national enterprises that include overnight camps and field trips, and in social and national activity. The youth movement’s educational and practical activities derive from full Torah life that encompasses and guides all areas of life.
Ariel youth movement is open to the entire nation, out of love of Israel, immigrant absorption and integration of members with special needs. The youth movement’s chapters are spread from the north to the south, wherever the youth movement’s activities are requested.
