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.