A holiday is an escape, Machaneh is about connection 

Aaron Kahanovitz 

Almost 15 years ago, I stepped onto my first Bnei Akiva Machaneh as a wide-eyed eight-year-old. Nearly every year since then I’ve found myself going back. I didn’t know it then, but those dusty grounds, occasional cold showers, and tents would end up shaping the trajectory of my life. Fast forward through a decade and a half of summers and, while my role at camp has changed over time, my reason for stepping onto those grounds every single December remains exactly the same. 

In a world driven by holidays in luxury hotels in buzzy cities, people often ask why more than 1 000 of us trade modern comforts for the raw, messy reality of camp. The answer is simple: you may go to Cape Town or Plett to escape, but you go to Machaneh to connect. 

We live in an age of digital overload and constant screen time. Camp offers a rare and powerful alternative. When you step onto the campsite, you leave behind parental safety nets, school or university pressure, and the noise of the outside world. You aren’t sitting in a hotel room or scrolling through social media. You are fully present. Living shoulder to shoulder in tents strips away pretence and reveals what really matters. 

At Machaneh there is genuinely something for everyone. Days are packed with swimming in the sea and pool, high-energy activities, time to relax, and very competitive volleyball and soccer. We have unbelievable ruach (spirit) sessions filled with singing and dancing, alongside minyanim and Jewish learning tailored for everyone from complete beginners to advanced students. 

A huge part of the magic comes from our incredible madrichim (counsellors). Having people who care and connect with you on your level means everything. They don’t just supervise. They are mentors and role models that one can always turn to. 

I’ve lived through countless unforgettable times on camp, but two stand out. First, the 2019 camp concert with Jeryko in the amphitheatre. Ask anyone who was there, the vibe and energy were palpable. There were hundreds of us singing together. Second are the soccer and volleyball finals that go through the entire last Saturday night of camp. Everyone is around. People are singing, dancing, and watching the game intensely. It often ends after sunrise and with an early Shacharit davening like no other. 

At its core, camp exists purely for the chanichim, from the youngest kids on their very first camp to the teenagers finding their voice. We come back every year simply because we want every young Jewish person to experience that absolute joy and the building of a deep, lasting love for each other, for Judaism, and for Israel. 

Cape Town and Plett will always be there, but the experiences on Machaneh, the lifelong friendships, the Torah, and the warmth of the Bnei Akiva family, can only be found at camp. Every year I leave the campsite feeling more inspired, more connected, and more ready for the year ahead. 

• Aaron Kahanovitz is the national chairperson of Bnei Akiva South Africa.