Back from Poland and still more to come!

Hello again all of you workshop fans,

So it's been a week since we returned, tired and weary after an intensive week, from the Poland Journey of Workshop 60. Having already gone through two separate preparation seminars, including 2 long days at the Ghetto Fighters' Holocaust Museum (the first ever Holocaust museum!), we set off at the early hour of 6am on Sunday March 6 for the big week ahead.

We touched down in Warsaw right on time, and after everyone had found their luggage (thankfully there was none lost in transit!), we headed for the long drive to Krakow. Once we arrived, we toured the old Jewish quarter of Krakow, named Kazimierz. The quarter was named after the 15th century king of Poland, who invited Jews to come and settle in the city. We toured a number of ancient synagogues, from the oldest and most traditional, to the newest synagogue known as "The Temple", and understood the essence of what Jewish life was through the centuries in poland. We examined the relationship that Jews had with the surrounding society, and we ended the day with a trip to the Galicia Museum, a museum which visually portrays the rich history of Jewish life in the area of Galicia, and the tragedy that the shoah created in destroying whole communities of Jews.
After arriving at our hotel for the night, the workshoppers had a peula based on the work of Julian Tuwim, a famous Polish and Jewish poet. It raised difficult questions of the dilemma of Jewish and national identity and how to reconcile those tensions.

The second day was a long day for the workshoppers. We spent the day at the infamous concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. The morning was spent in Birkenau, which is largely untouched and preserved as it was during the Russian liberation. The afternoon was spent at the Auschwitz I camp, which is the site of the world-renowned museum. Through the day the workshop groups examined what camp life was like, and how these camps represented the reality according to the Nazi vision - one of hierarchy and inequality. The day ended with the first of the workshop/shnat run tekkesim (ceremonies), where the workshoppers were given responsibility to create a communal expression for the memory of the place.
In the evening, after returning back to the hotel, the workshoppers had a peula and discussion on the essence of humanity. Looking at texts and poems from Hannah Senesh and the Rambam, the workshoppers discussed what the essential elements are that make a person human. Given the difficult content of the day, the workshoppers had plenty to say!

On the third day, the group started at the notorious labour camp of Plaszow. Having watched Schindlers' List on the bus, it gave the group an important insight into the experience of Jews in Krakow and Plaszow during the Shoah. We headed from there to a tour of the Krakow Ghetto, which included parts of the ghetto wall still standing, as well as the famous pharmacy which kept spirits up during the Ghetto period. We also visited the old chava (communal living space) of the Akiva youth movement during the time of the Ghetto, and understood that their lives and experiences were based on very similar codes to the workshoppers' experience this year. We ended the morning by speaking about the Krakow uprising, when a Nazi-frequented cafe was bombed by the members of the youth movement. For lunch, the workshoppers got a first-hand feel of polish life, with 2 hours free time in the Sukiniece market square in Krakow. Here they were free to buy what they wanted for lunch, as well as idle through the market square and coffee shops.
We then headed out of Krakow, and took the long journey to Lublin, where we arrived late and subsequently did not have a peula that evening.

The following day we started with a visit to the recently renovated Chochamei Lublin Yeshiva. The Yeshiva was a centre of Chassidic thought and study before the Shoah, and was only recently returned ownership to the Jewish community of Poland. We then toured the city of Lublin, visiting buildings that were used as centres of policy during the Nazi regime. When the Nazis occupied Poland during World War II, Lublin became a regional centre, and many high-ranking SS and Gestapo offices were living in the city. We visited the old Gestapo headquarters, as well as the old Nazi party headquarters. We discussed the Nazi lifestyle, and how it infiltrated into all elements of life - culture, study, home life, even socializing.
In the afternoon we visited the Mjadanek concentration and death camp. With big parts still standing, it was an eerie experience for the workshoppers. We walked through the gas chambers and crematorium, as well as through the old bunkers of the inmates. We also arrived to the large monument at the end of the camp, which holds 7 tonnes of ashes, a testament to those who were murdered at the site. The day ended with another tekkes to commemorate that place, before we left Lublin and headed back to Warsaw.
That evening, the workshoppers had a peula based around the famous letter from Albert Camus - the 4th letter to a German friend. It brought up questions surrounding the content of the days' places, and looked at the ways of dealing with despair and finding hope in humanity and human interaction.

Our first full day in Warsaw started with a tour of the old and largest of the ghettos in Poland during the Shoah - the Warsaw ghetto. At its' biggest, the ghetto held up to 450,000 Jews, and took up almost a quarter of the city in its' size. We toured sections of the old wall that are still standing, as well as some of the old buildings that still stand from the ghetto period. We spoke about leadership dilemmas in the ghetto - ranging from the spiritual and youth leaders, to rabbis, to the Judenrat - what their approaches to leadership during the time were based on, and how they dealt with responsibility over their communities.
Then we headed to the Jewish cemetary of Warsaw. The cemetary is huge and we only got to see a small part of it, but we did manage to see some of the more distinctive graves and people buried there. Among them we spoke about Adam Czerniakow, the first head of the Judenrat of the Warsaw Ghetto during the shoah period, as well as Ludovic Zamenhof, creater of the Esperanto language, who are both buried there.
In the afternoon we visitied the national monument for the Polish Uprising of 1944, and spoke about the tragedy of the uprising act, in which massive numbers of Poles were killed. We also gained more insight into the modern day Polish culture, with a visit to the old city square of Warsaw. Originally destroyed during the War, it was rebuilt to resemble the exact old square of the city, complete with a statue of a mermaid in the middle - the symbol of the city.
After returning to our hotel, the workshoppers started the first part of a two-part peula. The peula revolved around readings from the book "During the days of destruction and revolt" By Tsivya Lubetkin. Tsivya Lubetkin was a member of the Dror movement and one of the leaders of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. The readings examined what the movement was doing during the days both just before the war, and during the war, and the discussions went into depth about how it related to Habonim Dror today, and what we see as our role in society.

The penultimate day started with a drive out to the old Jewish shtetl of Tykocin. Originally in the area annexed to the USSR at the beginning of the war, the Jewish community of the shtetl was virtually destroyed in two days after the Nazi conquest of 1941. We started our visit at the famous old synagogue, which still stands nearly 400 years after it was established. We also visited the old market square where, on a fateful day in the spring of 1941, the 2,500 Jews of Tykocin were taken and driven to the nearby forest of Lopochowa, where they were shot and buried in mass graves. We drove the short journey to the forest and visited the 3 grave sites of the atrocity, where we ended with another meaningful tekkes, created by the workshoppers and shnatties together.
From there we headed to the memorial site of the death camp Treblinka. The infamous camp managed to murder almost 900,000 people over its' 12 months of operation, with the overwhelming majority of them Jews. Now a monument stands where the camp once stood, where the chanichim learnt about how the camp worked, as well as about the famous rebellion of the workers of the camp, who succeeded in escaping and alerting the world to the atrocities taking place there. The visit there, too, ended with a tekkes created by the hands of the chanichim.
We headed back to the hotel for our final night in Poland, and continued the discussions from the previous night, relating to the things we had seen through the day and the exciting itinerary coming up for the final day.

The last day of the journey was all about our movements' history both before, and during, the Shoah. We started the day visiting Grochov, which was the old Hachshara farm before, and even during, the war. Here, young 17-19 year old members of the Dror movement would come to learn farming and living communally, as well as learning and examining their future plans as a kvutza and their connection to aliya. We then headed to 34 Dzielna street, which is the site where the 'Bayit' (communal home) of Dror was during the Ghetto period. It was here that seminars were run, the movement leadership lived together, and the movement spirit was in action!
The afternoon all revolved around the heroic story of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. Starting from the memorial at the Umschlagplatz (deportation square) of the Warsaw Ghetto, the workshoppers spent the next two and a half hours walking the path of the main battles and stories of the ghetto uprising of April 1943 - a heroic act guided by the youth movements from all streams. The discussions finished at the memorial at Mila 18 - the bunker where a large number of the ghetto and youth movement leadership were gassed and killed at the hands of the Nazis, including the Warsaw Rebellion leader - Mordechai Anilewicz.
We then headed to the Rappaport Memorial - a national monument in commemoration of the Warsaw Ghetto fighters, for our final and closing tekkes. Filled with emotion and personal sentiment, it was a befitting end to a week full of intense discussion and understanding, strong support, and large and varied content.
Before heading to the airport we did stop for dinner and were treated to a night of Polish folk dancing and music. As is tradition - the workshoppers were also able to join in! Needless to say, it was a nice release after such a long week.

Within minutes of boarding the plane everyone was fast alseep, and upon arrival to Israel, they workshoppers were whisked back to Karmiel for a few days of rest and relaxation.

The workshoppers are back into the swing of things on kaveret now, and have started preparations for the annual "Pasechet" English-speaking camps which will take place in their locations for messima (volunteering projects)in the week before Pesach chofesh. Next weekend will be our annual May-Day seminar, which will be the first chance for the workshoppers to meet and get to know the new Australian, New Zealand, and South African Shnat groups. We will be examing labour and exploitation in the world today, and the role of Habonim in our communities in creating solidarity and standing up against oppression, exploitation, and enslavement in all its' forms.

Woah - i need to take a breath! It has been a busy few weeks, but the ride still has a large section to go! I wish you all a shavua tov, and hope that you had a chag sameach for purim yesterday!

Until next time,

Leon.


Workshoppers explore the rich history of the old Kazimierz Jewish quarter in Krakow


Workshoppers at the famous site of the notorious forced Labour Camp - Plaszow


Workshoppers pose outside the old communal apartment of the Akiva movement in the Krakow Ghetto!


Tekkes group gets ready at the Majdanek camp


Workshoppers at the Polish Uprising Memorial


The tekkes group in the Lopochowa forest - commemorating the Jewish community of Tykocin


The tekkes at the memorial to the murdered in Treblinka


The whole group of Workshop and Shnat come together in front of one of the sites of our collective roots - The Hachshara farm at Grochov



The 2 workshop groups start the Path of Heroism of the Ghetto Uprising - in the memorial of the deportation square of the Warsaw Ghetto


Workshoppers atop the monument of the bunker at Mila 18


Singing "Mi Ha'ish" at the ancient synagogue of Tykocin


Dancing during our Polish music experience!

The latest installation of Workshop news!

Hello Workshop followers!
The last month of Workshop has been very exciting. The last weekend of January, we had our first Poland preparation seminar. During the seminar, we talked about different ways in which the Holocaust is often mystified, collective memory, and the difference between going on a trip and on a journey. Also, each person shared what their expectations for the Poland journey are and what roles they want to take on during this kvutzah process. I think it was a very meaningful starting point for embarking on the important, but challenging Poland process.

Also, now that the Workshoppers are a month and a half into Kaveret, many aspects of their daily lives are more settled. Everyone is doing Messima (educational work) 3 times a week and having weekly Yomei Tzevet (meetings together with their Messima coordinators) once a week. The Workshoppers are starting to build relationships with the chanichim (kids) they are working with in their schools and kenim and although at times they have difficult days, I think they feel the importance of the work they are doing. We have continued having Yom kvutzah every Monday. Some of the topics we have talked about this month are: the importance of each individual in the group and the space created for each person, art and love in our society, the Labor party and the Israeli left today, and the meaning of names as a means to thinking about a kvutzah name. Every Thursday the Workshoppers have had programming run by the Kaveret rekazim (organizers and educators). On these days they have learned a lot about Karmiel and the issues affecting it. These include the Russian Aliyah in the 1990s and Arab-Jewish relations in the area. They have also talked about Tu’bshvat and last week they visited a beautiful synagogue in Israel and talked about Jewish identity.

The Workshoppers have also been implementing structures and planning things for themselves. Each week they run an asepha (meeting) for themselves where they talk about any issues they are having and find collective ways to deal with them. They also had a party to watch the Superbowl. They cooked an enormous amount of food, set up the projector, invited the British kvutzah over, dressed in the colors of the team they were rooting for and watched the big game. They also spend a lot of time cooking and I am not sure where they learned how to cook so well, but they always make delicious meals!

Most recently (this past Sunday and Monday), we had Chava Achot seminar (the seminar with their sister Chava from Hanoar Haoved). For this seminar they were mixed with Israelis their own age from Hanoar Haoved (Habonim Dror’s sister movement) who live together as 28 people in Haifa, and do the same educational work as the Workshoppers. The seminar dealt with different questions around Judiasm, Zionism, the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora, and the relationship between our 2 movements. They also had a musical (hosted by Ezra and Adina) which was a space for the Workshoppers to share a part of HDNA culture. There were many talented acts performed by all including a great rendition of “Home” by the Workshoppers. Then they did Rikud where each kvutzah taught the other new dances. I think it was a really meaningful experience for both groups and some even said “this is the best seminar we have ever had.”

This upcoming Monday and then Thursday- Saturday are more Poland Preparation peulot where the chanichim will meet their day madrichim for Poland and really jump start the content of the journey. Then there is only week left until we leave for Poland, which is crazy to believe! Ok that is all for now!

Yelena

Kaveret kicks off in style!

Hello again all of you Workshop fans!

Well it indeed has been a very busy period of workshop during December & Jaunary. The workshoppers left kibbutz Ein Dor, after a final week of fun and sikkum (summary), which included a great hike up the greatest landmark in the area - Har Tavor! Obviously - it was an emotional experience for those who grew up at Tavor! And on December 19, they entered the next big phase of their workshop year - Kaveret. Arriving in karmiel full of excitement and enthusiasm, the workshoppers set about making their house a home, and adding their personal touch to create their surroundings just as thei envisioned.

Their first week in their kaveret house was a preparation seminar for their big journey to come. The week examined such issues as post-modernism today, and the challenges of ideology and educating values in a post modern world. The workshoppers watched fight club, and understood the real-life scenarios of loneliness and creating meaning in someone's life in society today. The chanichim examined tikkun olam, and the role of education in creating a world as we envision it, according to humanist values in the vision of the prophets. There workshoppers also spent plenty of time to discuss what it means to work as a 'tzevet' (team), and had a long and crucial asepha to work out which tzevetim they would be doing their 'messima' (means mission - refers to their educational roles in schools and clubs in the coming 5 months). And, they also spoke about safety and security, as well as getting to know about their city on a super siyur of the area! I don't know about you guys, but i'm out of breath just thinking about it!

The workshoppers are active members in five different areas of Israel - cities, age groups, socio-economic standings, and backgrounds. Their messimot deal with:

Tsfat - one tzevet of workshoppers works in a school in the mystical and ancient jewish city of tsfat, and in an afternoon club later in the day.
Tiberias - the second tzevet works within the school system in Tiberias - one of the poorer regions of Israel.
Karmiel - the third tzevet of workshoppers works within a school in karmiel with 11th and 12th graders from a boarding school in nearby kibbutz Eshbal, which is a kibbutz of graduates from our sister youth, Hanoar Haoved. They also do afternoon sessions within the boarding school in Eshbal, with the same students, who are defined as at-risk youth.
Bnei Hamoshavim - the fourth tzevet works with education of moshavim (small communal villages) youth, in their environment on the moshav itself.
Kiyum Meshutaf - the final tzevet works within the arab villages in the area of the galil - educating arabs in middle and high school in English, while being exposed to the rich and unique arab lifestyle within the village.

After an action packed week - the workshoppers then headed off for a week and a half of well earned rest during chofesh. Although from what i understand, it seemed for some it was even more busy and tiring than workshop itself! Phew!

The workshoppers made their way back to karmiel on january 3, ready to start the next phase of their workshop year. And it started with a bang - the following day they headed down to kibbutz Gezer to take part in the 75th anniversary celebrations of the founding of Habonim Dror North America! It was a really inspirational evening, with around 400 people attending, and speeches from world mazkir Silvio Joskowitz, historian and movement guru Muki Tzur, as well as one of the previous HDNA mazkirim and haghshama hero Gil Browdy! There were members of HDNA from all of the workshops, and even one who attended the Habonim institute, which preceded the workshop program in the 1940s! And it gavce a lot of 'nachas' for all of the older members and olim from the movement to see the current workshoppers, full of vibrant enthusiasm and ideological fervor!

This week the workshoppers have been in full swing in messima, and have been settling into their surroundings in Karmiel very smoothly. There are many things still to come on the workshop calendar - this weekend is their first Poland prep seminar, with a second to come in February, and our journey to Poland taking place between march 6-13. We also have a seminar with our 'chava achot' (sister chavot - communes of hanoar haoved 18 year olds going through a similar year experience as the workshoppers) in February, and many many more things!

I'll leave you there for now. But i will give you a few photos to quench your visual thirst!

Until next time,

Leon.


The workshoppers new dwelling in karmiel's view - complete with makeshift clothes line!

Workshoppers get into the nighlife of Karmiel!



Workshoppers getting into the swing of things at the HDNA 75th celebrations!

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.