Streetwise Spotlight: Investing in the Leaders of Tomorrow

• Trained to Lead: Preparing Youth Workers for a Safe and Meaningful Summer

As excitement builds for Tour 2025, we were proud to bring together several Jewish youth movements for a full day of dedicated pre-tour training. In collaboration with Keshet UK, Jewish Women’s Aid (JWA), JAMI, and a number of experienced educators, this training day focused on equipping madrichim—the young leaders guiding our chanichim (participants)—with the tools, confidence, and sensitivity required to lead with care in what is an increasingly complex and emotionally charged environment.

The programme featured a range of sessions, from Self-Care and Informal Education to Promoting Healthy Relationships and Setting Boundaries (delivered by JWA and Streetwise). Each session was designed not only to provide practical knowledge but also to spark reflection: on the role of a leader, on the emotional demands of tour, and on the responsibility of shaping safe, inclusive, and meaningful experiences for young people.

• More than just a ‘Tour’

In today’s climate, taking young people to Israel is about more than organising a great trip. It’s about creating space for meaningful, sometimes challenging, conversations—conversations about identity, justice, peoplehood, and community. For many chanichim, this may be their first time visiting Israel, and the experience is often emotionally charged, especially given the current geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflict.

Our role is to help madrichim navigate this responsibility with care, clarity and confidence. That means ensuring they’re trained to handle heightened emotional needs, facilitate respectful discussion, and hold space for the wide range of experiences and feelings that chanichim may bring with them—or develop while there.

• Supporting Others Starts with Supporting Ourselves

Yes, safety is always the top priority—but safeguarding goes beyond emergency protocols. We’re focused on building a culture of proactive wellbeing: where young people are at the heart of all decisions, and leaders are empowered to manage group dynamics with sensitivity.

Throughout the training day, madrichim were encouraged to explore not only how to recognise the needs of their chanichim, but also how to support one another as co-leaders, and to check in with themselves. The pressure of leadership can be intense. That’s why we emphasised self-care as a vital skill, not a luxury.

While no one expects youth leaders to be therapists or experts, their ability to model resilience, empathy, and boundaries can have a profound impact. These small but intentional actions often shape the tone and culture of a group—and leave lasting impressions on young people.

• Creating a Culture of Care and Curiosity

Beyond safety and wellbeing, a successful Israel tour is one that promotes respectful curiosity and critical thinking. We want chanichim to ask questions, to wrestle with complexity, and to leave feeling more connected—not only to Israel, but to themselves and their communities. This requires leaders who can hold space for difficult conversations, encourage different perspectives, and remain grounded in their values.

The training provided an open forum for madrichim to ask questions, voice concerns, and share experiences. It also reinforced a key message: that they are not alone. They are part of a wider network of professionals, educators, and fellow youth leaders, all working toward the same goal—a meaningful, enriching, and safe Tour 2025.

• Looking Ahead

As movements continue their preparations, we feel confident knowing that so many of their leaders are approaching this summer with thoughtfulness, responsibility, and care. This training day was just one part of a wider journey, but it set a powerful tone: one of leadership rooted in compassion, strength, and deep commitment to the wellbeing of every young person.

Proper training isn’t just a precaution—it’s a foundation. And as many young people take their first steps into exploring identity, community, and connection through tour, they deserve madrichim who are prepared to lead them with purpose, presence, and care.