Habo History Seminar - What a week!

Hello again all you friends of workshop!

Well the last week on Workshop 60 was the huge ride of challenge, questioning, and inspiration that has come to be known as 'The history of Habonim Dror Hagshama seminar.' This seminar is generally regarded as one of the most intensive and invigorating weeks on the workshop calendar, and this year was no exception.

The week started on Sunday with a visit to the Kinneret courtyard, where the beginnings of the modern kibbutz movement found its' roots. It was here that, starting over a century ago, young and ideological zionists found their way to Palestine to start a life of agriculture and 'kvutza.' The workshoppers heard stories of the hardships and successes of these young chalutzim (pioneers) as they struggled to come to terms with their new ways of life in the future Eretz Israel, as well as some of the stories of the great leaders of the Socialist Zionist movement who were there for periods, such as A.D. Gordon and Berl Katznelson.
The workshoppers were also guided through the kinneret cemetary - one of the most picturesque sites around the kinneret. There, they heard the stories of more of the early chalutzim of the zionist movement - such as Rachel the poet, Moses Hess, and the great Israeli songwriter - Naomi Shemer.
The morning was rounded out with a trip to one of the newest museums in the area - The 'Bet Telem Ha'aroch' (The house of the Long Furrow). This museum, on kibbutz Degania Bet, tells the story of the change in ways of life for a young person from Eastern Europe in coming to Palestine, where every room is full of actors who play the role of these young chalutzim.


Kinneret Courtyard - the founding centres of the kibbutz movement

After the morning, the workshoppers headed out to visit the first Habonim kibbutz in the country - Kibbuta Kfar Blum. Kfar Blum had the first ever 'Garin' (group of members of the movement who made aliya together to kibbutz) of Habonim Dror, in 1939. At Kfar Blum, they spoke to Dooby Ben-Ari, who is from the first generation of young people on Kfar Blum. He spoke to the workshoppers about the decline of the kibbutz movement, and his belief that Socialism can no longer work. Needless to say - it was a lot to take in for the workshoppers!
The evening peula for the workshoppers gave them a chance to put their acting abilities to the test - a rendition of the famous Yehoshua Sobol play - 'The night of the twentieth.' The play deals with similar themes of the day - it's a group dialogue of young chalutzim based on one of the earliest kvutzot in the country. It also gave the workshoppers to examine how their kvutza and experiences relate to those of young people 100 years ago, what things they wanted to take from them, and what things they felt were best left in history.

On the second morning, the workshoppers headed out to kibbutz Kfar Hanassi, to speak with Alec - an oleh and vatik (veteran) of British Habonim Dror. Alec has been living on Kfar Hanassi for over 40 years, and spoke to the group about his own movement experiences, and his attitude to the changes and privatisation measures that the kibbutz has undergone.
The workshoppers then headed out to kibbutz Mevo Chama to speak with Joe, an oleh who is originally from Habonim Dror in Perth, West Australia. Mevo Chama is the only habo kibbutz situated in the Golan Heights - to the southern end. Joe welcomed the group warmly, and spoke about his sadness at seeing the privatisation of the kibbutz, and the gradual irrelevance of the youth movement on the kibbutz.


The picturesque Mevo Chama

The final stop of the day was at Kibbutz Yizre'el. Situated in the Jezre'el valley, the kibbutz is home to Habonim olim from all over the world, specifically Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Here, the workshoppers spoke with Paul from New Zealand and Eddie from South Africa, about how they had dealt with the changes in kibbutz during their lives there.

The evening peula examined the privatisation process on kibbutzim as a whole, the different methods of responding, and what it means for the traditional kibbutz movement today.

Day three, and the workshoppers were off to Gesher Haziv. The kibbutz at Gesher Haziv has seen many olim from HDNA over the years, and the visit for the workshoppers gave them the chance to speak with original members of workshops 2, 11, 21, and 27. It was a real eye-opening experience!
The group then set off to visit kibbutz Eshbal. Once a military base, the kibbutz was given to our sister movement, Hanoar Haoved, who now have a thriving kibbutz of smaller kvutzot who live there. The kibbutz also has a boarding school for 11th and 12th graders, a horse ranch, and a seminar centre. It gave the workshoppers a chance to examine what a newer kibbutz looks like today, with a younger community with closer day to day ties to a youth movement.
That night, the workshoppers discussed the situation in Israeli society today, and whose role it was to take responsibility where once the kibbutz movement took responsibility for. They talked about what role Habonim members played historically, and what our role is today in Israeli society, in dealing with the socio-economic reality of what is around them.

The next day the workshoppers headed out to see their first 'contemporary' Urban commune setting - Kvutzat Ogen (Anchor). Ogen is made up of 6 members of habo from around the world (of which i am one!), including three from HDNA, and two who served on the national mazkirut from 2002-04. Here they learnt about the state of the movement in Israel today, and what it was like in the years in Habonim where there was no active 'Hagshama' (actualisation) of the movement goals, in terms of aliya to Israel and taking responsibility over Israeli society and the Jewish world.
In the afternoon they headed out to Kvutsat Yovel (Jubilee), the first of the modern urban kvutzot of Habonim. There they spoke with James, where the workshoppers debated the 'swinging pendulum' of what a youth movement is, and the range between a general club, and a cult, as the two extremes of possibility. Needless to say, it was a rivetting discussion!

The final day of the seminar saw the workshoppers visit the two newest communes of Habonim in Israel - Aseef and Mishmar Ha'am. There, they saw and heard what the lives of new olim and members of the movement in Israel were like, including the chance to meet three of the four previous members of the national mazkirut, who are now living and working in Israel, in a kvutza.
The seminar ended with a final peula, which had a lengthy discussion about what the members of a socialist zionist youth movement actually do, and whether we, as members of Habonim Dror, achieve those things. It gave the workshoppers a chance to put everything they had seen and heard throughout the week into perspective, and really examine what the role of Habonim Dror is today, both in North American society, and specifically in Israeli society.

As you can see, it was a really big week for workshop! Definitely full of challenging and inspirational stories, and definitely a chance for them to understand all of the history that has come before them, and a glimpse into what may lie ahead for the movement.

This week, the workshoppers will be wrapping things up on Boneh, and will be leaving kibbutz Ein Dor next Sunday to head to their next destination - Karmiel! Either myself or Ari will let you know about their new postal address, and i'll update you again before they head off for chofesh.

Until next time,

Leon.

The end of november is nigh!

Dear fans of workshop everywhere!

November has been a busy month for workshop. October finished on a high - with the participation of the workshoppers in the annual Yitzhak Rabin memorial rally in Rabin square in Tel-Aviv. After the intensity of the previous week's seminar, and the depth of discussion about democracy, peace, and zionism, the opportunity to join in a large rally supporting the same values that the movement does was a really meaningful experience for the workshoppers.

Workshop then got back into the swing of things on Boneh, examining topics which included the period of modernity and the challenges to Judaism that were posed within, the creation of the state of Israel, and the difficulties and tensions which exist internally and externally for the state of Israel today, and in the past 60 years.

The workshoppers also had a chance to dust off their hiking boots for a three day hiking extravaganza in the Gilboa mountains! The workshoppers trekked out on Wednesday november 17, and hiked through the Gilboa for a couple of days. Each night was spent camping at the picturesque Ma'ayan Herod (Herod Springs) national park, at the foot of the gilboa mountains. During the days, the workshoppers heard about the relevance of the place from their tour guides, including the biblical stories of King Saul and the Gideonites, as well as the modern pioneering stories of the Jezre'el valley, which is overlooked by the Gilboa range.

The workshoppers learnt about the difficult relationship that Israel has had historically, and still today, with it's neighbouring countries, and the roots of these conflicts last week. The week was concluded with a siyur (tour) of the Golan Heights, an area of Israel which was captured from Syria during the 6 Day War, and is today an ongoing issue of potential peace negotiations with Syria. The workshoppers saw numerous lookouts and famous sights, including Har Ben-Tal, which looks out directly over the Syrian border. They also travelled down to the Valley of Tears, a famous battle site in the Yom Kippur War, and heard of the stories of heroism of young Israeli soldiers there.

On the weekend, the Workshoppers held their own thanksgiving celebrations, with a big meal together that they prepared as a kvutza. Much fun was had by all, and there was plenty of food to go around!

Next week, the workshoppers begin one of the most anticipated weeks of their year - History of Habonim Dror Hagshama seminar. During the week, they will be visiting older and younger vatikim of Habonim Dror through the generations, from the older kibbutzim such as Kfar Blum, all the way to the newest olim. I am sure that it is going to be a fantastic week of discovery and inspiration for the workshoppers.

Until next time all you workshop fans!

Leon.



Workshoppers at the Rabin rally, speaking out against violence and for peace!



Workshop girls hiking it up!



The girls get into the feeling of thanksgiving



Workshoppers keeping the spirit of thanksgiving alive!

From the Madrichot! Boneh, Rabin, and Yom Kvutza

Hello Workshop parents and other fans!

Yelena and Elena, the madrichot (counselors) here, wanting to give you a firsthand perspective of what the Workshoppers have been doing for the last few weeks. Since the Yam le Yam hike, we have finally been able to settle into a regular Boneh routine including weekly classes about Jewish history, Hadracha (leadership classes), Hebrew, Yom kvutzah and work on the kibbutz. During the last few weeks the Boneh classes have covered the following topics: North American Jewish communities, the Jewish Enlightenment, Anti-Semitism and this last week covered the early foundations of Zionism. Also, to compliment the learning they are doing in classes, the Workshoppers have been going on trips every Thursday. A few weeks ago they went to the Diaspora museum, then they went to an exhibition about Rabin, and today they went to the 1^st and 2^nd Aliyah museums. The Workshoppers have been very engaged and participatory in their classes and siyurim (trips) and are learning a lot.

We have also had some very meaningful Yomei kvutzot (days that are focused on building the kvutzah). We talked about what it means to create kvutzah and the types of relationships it requires, the equality of human value, Gardner’s theory of 7 intelligences, what it means to be part of a world youth movement, as well as having some updates on what is going on in Israel. Interspersed with all these interesting topics, we have had other fun and intimate activities to bring them closer as a group.

Another thing that happened this weekend was the Rabin seminar. This was an intensive 2 day seminar focused on the values that Rabin stood for. The main focus of the seminar was Peace as a value, but it also touched on what makes a democratic society, Nationalism and gave some historical perspective of the Arab- Israeli conflict. For the peulot (educational activities) of the seminar, the Workshoppers were in mixed groups with Habonim Chanichim their age from Australia, New Zealand, England, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, and South Africa. We even had a few people do the seminar in Hebrew! I think all of them found this seminar to be very interesting and meaningful and raised a lot of questions of what they want to do as individuals and as a kvutzah to promote peace as a value. This past Monday we had a peulah for them to come together and talk about the seminar as a group and to get ready for the Rabin rally. The Rabin rally is in Tel-Aviv this Saturday evening and marks 15 years since Rabin was assassinated. The chanichim will all be going and are planning to create posters and pins to spread a message they believe in. It should be a very meaningful and memorable experience.

Before we end our post, we wanted to say we are both really enjoying working with and getting to know your kids. They are an amazing group with a lot of positive energy. They are building great relationships with each other and we think with us as well. With that said, we have only just begun this process and we are really looking forward for the rest of the year!

Shabbat Shalom!

Yelena and Elena

Yam le Yam

Hello again to all of you workshop fans!

Well workshop celebrated it's first month together a few days ago, and it has been a month to remember! Last week, after getting to the the uniqueness of sukkot on kibbutz (or in wider israeli society for those who travelled to family), the workshoppers took part in an activity that a lot of Israelis embrace during the holiday period - hiking!

The workshoppers headed off from kibbutz last Sunday, and headed to Achziv beach, just north of Nahariya, for the traditional beginning ceremony of Habonim Dror's annual yam le yam (sea to sea) hike. After getting to meet their counterparts from Australian, New Zealand, and South African Habonim, representatives from each country came to fill up the 'ceremonial bottle' with water from the mediterranean sea, which would stay with us for the four day trek to the kinneret.
From the beach, the group took a short drive to the beginning of the trail for day one - nachal Cziv (Cziv stream). The hike goes through a beautiful valley in the galilee, and crosses one of the famous landmarks in the north, The Montfort Fortress (seen in the picture below).



That night, the workshoppers camped out in Park Goren, the biggest JNF park in the north of Israel.
In the morning, the workshoppers headed out on a bus to Elkosh bridge, for the beginning of the toughest hiking day. They hiked through the morning and early afternoon, and eventually arrived at the foot of Mt Meron, the second largest mountain in Israel. But they didn't stop there! They soldiered all the way up to the top, and then came down for another great Israeli import - the Poyke! Poyke is a large and very heavy cooking pot that makes great stews and meals.
That night the workshoppers camped out with everyone else at the Har Meron field school.

The next morning, we arose bright and early and headed back to the place where the group had finished hiking the previous day, the top of Mt Meron. The workshoppers then continued down the other side of the mountain, and through the northern part of one of the well known hiking trails in Israel, Nachal Amud (Amud stream). The group ended up on the outskirts of the ancient and mystical city of Tsfat, and with the kinneret firmly in their sights, they headed to our final camping site, next to Kibbutz Ravid.
For our final evening, the group (well the meat eaters at least) had a chance to experience one of the esteemed dishes of yam le yam's of the past - the spinning chickens! As seen below, these chickens are roasted over burning coals in the ground, and are delish! But don't worry vegetarian lovers - there was more than enough vegetarian food to go round as well.



The final day was a short 3-hour hike from the campsite down to Ginnosar, the beach on the kinneret where we were to finish 4 days of hiking, sweating and general roughing it with nature.
We completed the hike with our final ceremony, where the 'ceremonial bottle' of mediterranean water was dumped on the grass by the kinneret, marking the long journey that the workshoppers had made over the previous 4 days, and marking the new and amazing friendships they had created in their mixed hiking groups, with Habonim movement members from around the world.
The only sour point of the tiyul, as some of you may have heard, is an injury that happened to Elena, the workshop madricha, due to a freak accident. A large branch fell of a Eucalyptus tree that we were under, and unfortunately fell onto Elena's back. It was a little worrisome to say the least, but now Elena is back at home and on the healthy road to recovery. It is increasingly possible that she will be back to regular interactions with the workshoppers in the coming fortnight.

This week, the workshoppers will be back to regular scheduling on boneh, and they have their first siyur (day trip) next week. We will also be having our annual Rabin Seminar in 2 weekends time, where shnatties from around the world will come together again, for some serious discussion about Rabin's legacy, and what our role is today in standing up and educating for peace and democracy.

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Ari Schwartz in his new capacity as programs co-ordinator in HDNA, and the whole mazkirut, and wish them all the greatest success in the coming 2 years.

Until next time, take care!

Leon.

End of Boneh Orientation

Hello again to Workshop fans everywhere!

So again we come to the end of another action-packed, intensive, and exciting week for the Workshoppers. After celebrating Rosh Hashana with family and/or friends, the group came back together on Sunday morning and travelled north to their base for the coming 3 months, kibbutz Ein Dor. After arriving in time for their first meal, the workshoppers went through the do's and don'ts for their time on Ein Dor, and then were given a guided tour of the kibbutz by their rakazim (co-ordinators) for Boneh. Their first night was a big erev tarbut (culture evening), which gave them a great opportunity to get to know their new neighbours - the British Shnat group of 2010-11.

On Monday the workshoppers had their first discussion about va'adot (committees), and split themselves up into committees for the duration of Boneh. The committee responsibilities range from cleaning and maintenance, buying of breakfast, being responsible for weekly educational activities, and hitkansut boker (the regular morning assembly), among other things.
The Workshoppers also had the chance to meet Arye from the kibbutz, one of the founders who is originally from Hashomer Hatzair USA. Arye spoke to them on Monday evening about his life - detailing the beginnings of Habonim in North America, fighting in world war II, arriving to Israel during the Ha'apala (illegal immigration period), and the establishment of the kibbutz. Needless to say, it was a rivetting discussion with someone who truly has witnessed many of the unforgettable historical events that we know.

On Tuesday the workshoppers started their educational rationale for the coming Boneh, examining Judaism and Jewish identity for them today, both as individuals, and within the movement. The group also had more time to talk about their kuppah structure for the coming year, and how they wanted to deal with their collective financial responsibilities with each other.

On Wednesday the Workshoppers were given the arduous tasks of splitting up for work assignments. Kibbutz Ein Dor is fortunate enough to have a large and varied range of work environments for them to be involved in, which include unique places such as the doll-making factory, the cheesemaker, the horse ranch, and the veterinarian clinic. There are of course the familiar workplaces too - such as the dining room and kitchen, the kids' houses, and gardening.
The shnatties also had a special guest on Wednesday - world Mazkir of Habonim Dror Silvio Joskowicz. Silvio came to wish them all the best for their coming year, and to talk to them about why Habonim Dror is such a strong movement in creating and shaping a strong Jewish, Zionist identity for young people.

Their week finished off on Thursday with their final classes, before they got to put their feet up a little and prepare for their weekend, as well as yom kippur. The Workshoppers will be starting their classes and ulpan next week, with the regular schedule, before heading off on yam le yam (sea to sea) hike during sukkot, from September 26-29.

There are some nice pictures below for you to see, and i would like to wish everyone a gmar chatima tova and a safe and easy fast over yom kippur.

Until next time!

Leon


The girls just hanging out


Nina and Julia with one of the great world backdrops - the western wall!

Workshop 60 is off and running!

Hello All fans of Workshop 60 and workshoppers of 60!

It has been a busy first few days for the workshoppers, full of enthusiasm, learning, touring, and a dash of jetlag. The workshoppers arrived on Thursday evening, and were whisked away to the historic city of Bet Shean for their first few days of seminar. The Bet Shean hostel is one of the newest and most comfortable hostels in the country, as you can see from this picture:



The workshoppers arrived late at night on Thursday, but mustered the energy up to play a few introductory games and also to get to know their madrichim, Yelena and Elena (which might prove to be confusing at times through the year!).
The workshoppers headed out to Tiberias on Friday for a game in Israeli society, filled with daring tasks and numerous photo opportunities. They also were able to eat their first meal out, and most took full advantage of it, and shawarma and pizza were available to all! On return back to the hostel in Bet Shean, the workshoppers found the best way to deal with the heat of the Jordan Valley - in the Bet Shean pool. As seen below, the pool is like an oasis in a desert-like region of Israel:



During Shabbat, the workshoppers continued doing peulot introducing them to Israeli geography and current situations, as well as beginnings of concepts relating to their year - like kvutsa, kuppah, youth culture, and creation. In the afternoon, the workshoppers went through the rules and regulations of the program with myself, and showed a strong willingness to do their upmost to keep themselves and each other safe throughout the year in every way.

On Sunday the workshoppers headed out to the spiritual centre of the country - Jerusalem! They spent the morning on a guided tour of the old city with famed storyteller and current World Habonim Gizbar, Rami Tzdafee. For lunch the workshoppers were treated to a little taste of home - bagels! And while there was no lox to be seen, there was plenty of cream chesse and tuna to keep them content.
In the afternoon the workshoppers headed to the newly renovated and opened Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The museum is one of the most prestigious in Israel, and is world renowned for art and archaeological displays.

After a long day, the group headed to Neve Shalom, a co-existential Arab and Jewish village halfway between Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv.
The group has been continuing their peulot today, and will wrap up their seminar tomorrow evening before heading off for chofesh on Wednesday morning. The times for drop off and pick up for chofesh is as follows:

Wednesday 8 September
Tel-Aviv pick up at 10:00am at the Arlozorov train station.
Jerusalem pick up at 11:15am at Binyanei Haomah (right near the central bus station).
Those staying with the program for chofesh will be heading on to Yehuda hostel in Jerusalem, and will be there by around 12noon.

Sunday 12 September
Jerusalem pick up at 9:00 at Binyanei Haomah (leaving the hostel at 8:30).
Tel-Aviv pick up at 9:00 at Arlozorov train station.
Afula pick up (for people staying in Haifa) at 10:15am from the central bus station.

This group of workshoppers seem set for a wonderful year of relationship-building, growth, new challenges, and unforgettable experiences. I'll be in touch again next week, when the group arrived on kibbutz Ein Dor for the start of Boneh. Until then, i want to wish all of you a happy and safe new year, and a chag sameach!

Also - i couldn't post all these pictures without there being one of the workshop group! So just below is one from their arrival at Ben-Gurion airport on Thursday.

Until next time,

Leon.