What is "hineni"

Hineni was, as a result of a speech at the Madison Square Garden by Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis on November 18, 1973, "one of the first Ba'al Teshuva (return to Judaism) movements. The word 'Hineni' means 'Here I am' in a spiritual sense, which is what Abraham says and means to God to indicate his readiness when he is called on in Genesis.

In 1989, the Hineni Heritage Center opened in New York City. The Center houses a multi-media museum and offers classes in Torah studies, Shabbatons (weekends) and High Holy Days services. They also conduct a singles program. Many of the couples who met through this program attend Hineni's Young Marrieds Seminars and their children participate in Hineni Torah Tots, linking three, and in some cases four generations. At the Hineni Bill and Jill Roberts Outreach Center in Jerusalem, in addition to educational and social programs, guidance and counseling are offered to youth at risk.

Hineni Youth and Welfare or Hineni is a Modern Orthodox, politically active, Zionist youth movement. It was founded in Sydney, Australia, and has centres in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

In Sydney, Hineni is the official youth movement of the Central Synagogue. In Melbourne, Hineni is affiliated with and supported by Caulfield Hebrew Congregation, where weekly meetings take place. In Canberra, Hineni is based at the Canberra Jewish Community Centre.

Hineni runs weekly educational meetings for Jewish youth from years 3–12, as well as biannual camps, Israel year programs, seminars and other communal events. As an outreach movement, Hineni welcomes participants of all Jewish backgrounds.