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Youth Directors

Dovid Benmayer - Youth Director

My name is Dovid Benmayer, I'm 21, and am one half of the BES tribe youth team for the coming year (most would argue the better half).

So onwards with the formalities, here is a little about me: I have lived all of my life in London, in the splendid suburb of Hendon, although I've always had my eye set on something more rural and tranquil (hint hint).

I was educated (possible misuse of word) at Hasmonean High School and sat A-levels in History, Politics and Modern Hebrew. I spent one year living in the Old City of Jerusalem, studying at Yeshivat HaKotel. I'm currently in my final year of a BSc degree in Government & History at the London School of Economics (LSE).

A keen musician, I've been playing drums for 9 years, so if you similarly consider yourself a muso, come round for a jam, any time, with Joseph and I. Additionally should you feel like eating some jam (strawberry, apricot, etc), don't be shy either... although you may have to bring your own bread.

My youth ventures have primarily been with BA, including 4 years at Kinloss, and countless camps holding numerous different positions.

Besides from the above, I can't think of much else to write... I like travelling, long walks on the beach, and candle-lit dinners for 2. My favourite sandwich (as some of you may remember) is granary bread, any cheese, iceberg lettuce and a sliced ripe tomato. Favourite films include Coming to America (I'm pretty confident I know the film of by heart), the Austin Powers trilogy and The Doors. I mainly read non-fiction, but the work of Aldous Huxley, Kurt Vonnegut and George Orwell also float my boat. I don't like cockroaches.

Seriously though, both myself and Joseph are tremendously excited for the coming year, and have lots in store, so keep posted!

Feel free to contact me anytime, for anything: random questions, exam/coursework/UCAS help, chats on what constitutes good music, etc, etc, etc.

Joseph Machta - Youth Director

Hello, hello and thrice, hello!

Name: Joseph Solomon Machta, but you can call me by any one of my numerous nicknames. (Such as Joffrey, Joe, Chief, Pepe, Machtoon, iPod, Laptop, Jossipa, Luke, the list goes on!)

D.O.B: 27/06/1988 - making me 21 years old. I was born on June 27 in Buenos Aires, Argentina (don't worry, I'm English as far as footie is concerned!) and have lived in sunny London since the tender age of 2.

Education: I started kindergarten alongside Dovid at Hasmonean Preparatory School, and we carried on together through the high school sharing many fond memories of times gone by. I spent two years at Yeshivat Eretz Hatzvi in Jerusalem and I'm currently a second year student of Medicine at St. George's University of London, and I LOVE it!

Activities: Medicine, Youth Coordinating, Reading, Breathing, Walking, Running, Walky-fast jogging, Music, Cutting hair.

Hobbies/Interests: As with Dovid, I am a musician. I sing, play the Saxophone, Guitar, a bit of Bass Guitar and will dabble (hopelessly) in the drums when Dovid allows (slash is out of the room)... I've been with Bnei Akiva since I was a wee lad aged about 9 till nowadays, taking camp and weekly Sviva at Kinloss and Hendon. I also work for Camp Simcha, which I find tremendously fulfilling and recommend to anyone that can do it!

I love reading New Scientist magazine and other non-fiction science based material. (I know what you're thinking, what a geek. Well... you're right.)

Favourite Food: Owing to my maternal heritage, I love Indian food but I am always up for a Chinese takeaway!

Favourite Quote: If you find it difficult to motivate yourself to do something useful then ask yourself the following questions: At the end of the week what will I have accomplished? Will I have watched T.V. or will I have watched my actions? Will I have changed my hairstyle or will I have changed someone's life? Will I have shared gossip or will I have shared knowledge? Will I have spent money on kids or will I have spent time with them? - Yoni Jesner z"l

AOB: Dovid and I cannot wait to get this exciting new year at BES Tribe kick started and we hope you share our excitement! Please feel free to contact us any time you so feel like it if you have questions on programmes or suggestions for how you want things run, just remember - we're here for you!