Zeev Schwartz
Zeev Schwartz (Hebrew: זאב שוורץ) born 3 April 1967 is a South African born Israeli public figure in the religious Zionist (Dati Leumi) sphere. He is the founder and executive director of the Torah Mitzion educational organization and served as secretary general of the Bnei Akiva youth movement. He is a candidate in the primary for the Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home party) for the elections to the twentieth Knesset in March 2015.
Biography
Schwartz was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, and was a member of the Bnei Akiva youth movement. He made Aliyah to Israel at the age of 17, after participating in a Bnei Akiva hachshara program at the Har Etzion Hesder Yeshiva. After he completed his studies, he enlisted in the IDF's Machal program as a lone soldier. He served in the Givati brigade and the reserve Alexandroni brigade. He fought in the Second Lebanon War and was nominated an outstanding soldier of the division.[1]
Schwartz studied at Bar Ilan University and earned a B.A. in the History of the Jewish People and Political Science, and an M.A. in Political Science with specialty in Public Administration. His thesis dealt with direct personal elections for mayoral positions in Israel.
He is married to Shulamit and is the father of five. He lives in the town of Shoham.[1]
Public service positions
Schwartz was active on the Student Council of Bar Ilan University was the religious life coordinator, and in the "Perach" program, helping children with cerebral palsy.
In 1995 Schwartz was elected chairman of the young generation of the World Mizrachi Movement, and is a member of the Mizrachi board of directors.
Torah Mitzion
In 1996, he founded Torah Mitzion – a religious Zionist organization which established a network of batei midrash (study houses) or kollelim in Jewish communities throughout the world. The programs include Torah learning, Jewish and Zionist education and women's learning programs.[1] Schwartz served as the executive director between 1996-2006, during which time the organization expanded, in partnership with the Orthodox Union, to serve Jewish students on campuses in the United States and England.
Bnei Akiva
In 2006, he was appointed as the secretary general of the World Bnei Akiva movement and served a five-year term as the head of the organization.[1] During that time he led two world conventions themed Chalutziut (pioneering) and Be'shlichut Hamedina (in the service of the State). He also served as the Chairman of the World Zionist Youth Movement Council.
When he was appointed to lead Bnei Akiva, he resigned as executive director of Torah Mitzion, though he remained the chairman of the organization. In June 2012 he returned to lead Torah Mitzion.
Lev Yehudi
In 2002, he founded the organization "Lev Yehudi" to strengthen the Jewish identity of Israeli backpackers in India.[1]
He also served as the chairman of the board of directors of the Torah BeTzion Hesder Yeshiva in Jerusalem.
Political career and views
In December 2014, Schwartz announced that he would run in the primaries for the Jewish Home party to win a place on the party list to compete for a seat in the Knesset.[2]
He has stated that he sees his mission as "to do good for the people of Israel" and be a "voice for global Zionism."[1]
As an immigrant, he believes that it is important for Bayit Yehudi to fight against assimilation, and for Jewish identity and immigrants’ issues such as aliyah and absorption needs.
He has stated that he believes that solving economic problems is important "so that immigrants will find work and stay here," and urged support for the work that economy minister Naftali Bennett has done "so Jews around the world will see their future here."[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Harkov, Lahav (24 December 2014). "Johannesburg-raised Bayit Yehudi candidate: My mission is to do good for the Jewish people". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
- ↑ Nir, Tomer (23 December 2014). "Zeev Schwartz is the International Contender for The Jewish Home". Srugim News (in Hebrew). Retrieved 31 December 2014.