I know it has been a long time since the last post, but that's because it's been hard to get a breath in during the past few months of workshop! The past two months has seen inter-movement seminars, english speaking camps with Israeli chanichim across the country, national and religious holidays, and many more...
The weekend of April 1 & 2 saw the coming together of all Habonim English speaking shnat programs for our annual May Day Seminar. The seminar examined the historical roots and origins of May Day, as well as worker exploitation and oppression in the workforce today. The workshoppers also got to read one of the hidden gem stories from "Builders & Dreamers" - a story about the work that Habonim Dror did in the 1970s with the gravediggers' Union in New York - a trigger to examine how solidarity is created amongst different peoples and groups. And of course - the workshoppers mastered the words to the "Internationale" - the international workers' anthem.
The following week the workshoppers took to the youth clubs around the country for the annual 'Pasechet' camp. The camp is an activity that workshoppers do every year through their messimot, where the successfully plan and run a week-long english speaking day camp for Israeli kids of many different ages and backgrounds. The group put their hadracha skills to the test, dreaming up big methods and activities to teach young kids english - and also had the opportunity for an overnight tiyul with their chanichim in the camp. Needless to say - it was a busy and tiring week for all!
The workshoppers then had a week break for pesach chofesh. Having time to travel, see family, hike, or just plain lounge and catch up on sleep was a nice way to kick back and relax for them after a few strenuous weeks. Straight after the break they were back in Tel-Aviv for the annual May Day march and festival. The workshoppers joined with over 2,500 members of Israeli youth movements to march the streets of tel-aviv, with the message of strengthening workers' rights and ending exploitation wherever it exists. They were also responsible for a stall at the festival, which took place at the end of the march in the Histadrut (Workers' Union) main building. There they encouraged their Israeli counterparts to be creative with a range of art chuggim, as well as explaining who they were and the role of Habonim Dror in their own communities. It was indeed a very meaningful experience and interaction for the workshoppers.
A few days' later the workshoppers attended the national Yom Hashoah (Holocaust memorial day) tekkes at kibbutz Lochamei Hagetaot. There they saw how the shoah is commemorated within Israel today, and even had the privilige of hearing from one of the Dror members of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising - Chavka Folman-Raban. Chavka is a member of the kibbutz, and is still seen today as a hugely inspirational figure for young movement members today in Israel. A big thanks also needs to go out to the troop of madrichim and helpers who translated the entire tekkes for the workshoppers - Kol Hakavod!
The weekend after - May 5-7 - the workshoppers headed down south for their final tiyul (hike) of the year - the Judean Desert tiyul. They spent the night before in Arad, one of the unique cities in Israel, before heading out early friday morning to start the hike. The hike explored the beautiful surrounds of the Ein Bokek and Masada area of the Judean desert, with even a few drops of rain to shake up the experience! That night, the group camped at the Rachaf camping ground - and were treated to a feast of a meal! The meal was also rounded out with a big campfire and marshmallows and hot chocolate. After a soothing nights' sleep on earth's mattress, the group arose early to hike the second day. They continued their trail straight from the campsite, and hiked right around Masada! After a couple of days of fun in the sun, the tired and weary trekkers headed back to Karmiel for a well-earned rest.
That week saw the workshoppers involved in ceremonies around Karmiel for Yom Hazikaron (National remembrance day), and also celebrations for Yom Ha'atzmaut (National independence day). The workshoppers made the most of the free day, and celebrated in the relaxed outdoor atmosphere that only yom ha'atzmaut can bring!
This week has been spent saying goodbye to their messimot and israeli chanichim in their schools and clubs, as well as the big clean-up of their house in Karmiel. Tomorrow will see the workshoppers leave karmiel once and for all, and head down to the hotel at kibbutz Ma'ale Hahamisha for the final few days of sikkum seminar, before boarding the plane in the wee hours of Monday morning.
Either myself or Ari will post a short note to let everyone know that the flights got away on time, and once the group arrives in New York Ari will take care of their continued travel paths.
As Workshop 61 comes to an end, i would just like to say that this is a wonderful, creative, enthusiastic and inspirational group of young leaders of the movement. It has been an absolute pleasure to be involved with them through the year, and i have no doubt that they will be an asset to their machanot, communities, and movement on their return to North America.
Until next time,
Leon.
Adina & Louis cook up a storm during the Pasechet camps!
A game of the old favourite - Gungershlaff! In Arad
Red for all at the May Day Rally!
The Karmiel house has never looked this good!
The Judean Desert is all smiles during this tiyul
No comments:
Post a Comment