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.