July 31

Today, MBI went to Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust musem, and had a guided tour through
the museum. The building is uniquely designed, with a long series of triangles that end with
windows piping light in and a promenade with a beautiful view of Jerusalem. In order to reach
the promenade you have to criss-cross through each section of the museum, which spans from
before the Holocaust looking at communities, through the end of the war exploring the many
difficult topics and some of the more inspirational tales of righteous gentiles and the youth
movements role in the war. The tour we run focuses on some of the aspects of the Holocaust
and then ends by discussing the importance of Israel in our history as the Jewish people. A
major focus today was on the anti-semitism that existed in the world during that time-period,
and how it still exists in places around the world today, something which can be hard for North
American Jews to understand, since our communities are generally not like this. This was a
emotionally moving and important experience for all.

Afterwards the group left the museum for a tour through Har Herzl, a national cemetery in
Jerusalem, named for Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern political Zionism. The cemetery
was created as a burial place for national figures and fallen soldiers. Each section of the
cemetery is uniquely designed to reflect the individuals who are commemorated there and
their place in Israeli history.

Afterwards, in a nearby park, each kvutza had a conversation processing both Yad Vashem and
Har Herzl with their madrichim.

The participants have had some days filled with mix groups from there kvuzah(group) and Isreali youth. They had a variety of conversations, shared the way they celebrate shabbat at machane and at home. They had a big bon fire with songs, and lots of dancing, both Isreali dancing and just a good old dance party.

Here are some photos of there time together.

July 27

After 3 days learning about the history of the youth movement and kibbutzim the MBIers were ready to reunite and to meet their Israeli peers from Hanoar Haoved veHalomed (the working and studying youth) at Machaneh Tnua Achot (sister youth movement camp). 120 Israeli Teens from kenim (local branches) from all over the country flocked to Yaar Lavi camp site for a fun and challenging weekend. This is an incredible connection to make, since Hanoar Haoved is a major youth movement of the kibbutz and labor movements and is still one of the largest youth movements in Israel today. Not only will the next few days be a chance to meet and connect to Israeli peers, but it will also be a chance to see how the ideals of the kibbutz movement are still being carried out today by one of the largest youth movements in Israel.

Friday was an intensive but good and thought provoking day. They had several peulot throughout the day which challenged them and gave them new perspectives and ideas about topics they have already learned about. They had a peulah where they discussed their own Jewish identity and the connection between Judaism and Zionism. This was an eye opening experience for both the MBIers and the Israelis. Later they had a peulah about tzedek (justice) and tzedaka (charity). Here they discussed the differences and the impact that both forms of action have on the world, and how to incorporate these ideas into their lives.

Earlier in the day in order to break up the peulot they also had creative chugim (interest groups). There were a variety of chugim for the chanichim to participate in such as a "jam session" where people brought several instruments and played music, rikud where they taught each other dances, and making fimo (a kind of soft clay). This was an opportunity for them to meet new kids from other groups and to bond over their creative interests and talents.

In preparation for Shabbat in the afternoon some of the MBIers exlained Habonim Shabbat traditions including kabbalat Shabbat, havdallah and musicale. This was to make sure the Israelis understood what was happening when the MBIers hosted kabbalat Shabbat and to invite the Israelis to prepare musicale acts for the traditional Saturday night musicale. After dinner the camp participated in something called a salatron which is a crazy fun and ruach (spirit) filled competition. They have silly tasks such as eating a watermelon without using your hands, having an improv dance competition and who has the most team spirit. The energy from the activity carried them into a rousing rikud session. A good time was had by all.

Tomorrow they will have a sleep-in for Shabbat morning and then another day of living and learning with their new friends.

July 26

July 26 Today started out with the group going to the Lochamei HaGetaot Museum (The Ghetto Fighters Museum), which is at the kibbutz of the same name. First the MBIers were brought to a lookout point where you can see the whole museum and learned about the founding of the kibbutz and the museum. Then they saw a few of the different exhibits within the museum, like the children's exhibit, and the resistance exhibit. The groups were led by members of Habonim Dror and Hanoar Haoved (our Israeli sister youth movement). In the exhibits and in the sikkum (conclusion) of the morning, the MBIers discussed people's ability to make choices in their lives and how they act and react in different situations. They also discussed the involvement of the youth movement in rebellion during the Holocaust and how that rebellion came out of a sense of responsibility to the Jewish community.  They also discussed and related these themes of rebellion and responsibility in their own lives. While difficult, this trip was also meaningful and inspiring for the MBIers, seeing how relevant youth movements have been and can be today.

Images from the week and Rafsodia

July 25

Today was the third day of kvutsah time and spent learning about the kibbutz movement
and Habonim's role within it historically. The group visited Kibbutz Deganya, the first kibbutz,
founded in 1910. Here the day was Habonim graduates. They began with an activity about
the kibbutz movement, its founding, what their vision was for Israel and the contributions
made throughout its history. You may not know this, but at their peak, kibbutzim held over
10% of Israel’s entire population! They also had an oversized role in politics, since the sharing
of resources meant that they could make a large collective effort to shape Israel. The MBIers
also discussed the changes kibbutzim have been experiencing in recent decades, including the
unexpected exodus of children from kibbutzim and the coming to power of governing coalitions
that were unfriendly to the kibbutzim. They also got a tour of the kibbutz, a chance to speak
with a kibbutz member and an opportunity to eat lunch at the kibbutz.

One more fun fact. Kibbutz membership reached an all-time high this year, as reported by
Israeli newspaper Haaretz, due to the increasing numbers of people returning to the kibbutzim
in which they were born and raised. They’re attracted to the close-knit, supportive and serene
communities as a place to raise their own children.

July 24

Today was the second day of Kvutsah time. During these three days, which are focused on the
contemporary kibbutz movement and its history, the MBIers will spend most of their time in
their kvutsot. We’ve found that creating these smaller groupings makes it easier for the MBIers
to form the kinds of intimate relationships they expect from camp, even while their age group
has grown to over 100 people.

Today was spent rafting down the Jordan river. The picturesque scenery makes for a very
relaxing and refreshing activity. The Jordan valley is one of the hottest places in Israel so I am
sure being in the water will provide some relief from the heat. After reaching the end of the
river, the group then has an opportunity to go on the ropes course run by the rafting company.
A ropes course is a really good way to build trust amongst each other as the activities usually
revolve around helping each other overcome fears or nervousness surrounding the course.
They then get some more time to hang out on the grassy banks of the river and will have an all
you can eat make your pizza party. A nice break from the usual schnitzel, the chanichim get a
unique experience to make their own fire grilled pizza and experience "Israeli pizza" toppings.
Some chanichim were bold enough to try corn or green olives on their pizza!

July 23 Today’s program was about contemporary kibbutzim, and fittingly, it was run on a Kibbutz of our sister youth movement in Israel – Ravid. The program was run by recent graduates of Habonim Dror who have formed an educational organization called HeChalutz. Taking the education we do in Habonim Dror, they offer programs for many youth from all different organizations who are on trips in Israel. The program about contemporary Kibbutz is one of their strongest. Many of the participants on MBI know one or two recent movement members who made Aliyah to an urban kibbutz. This new trend in progressive Zionism, in which young people move to needy areas of Israel and provide positive educational activities and social services for underserved communities, is incredibly interesting and relevant. For those of you who have been following the Social Protests in Israel over the past year, these urban kibbutzim have been heavily involved in promoting the social justice agenda of those protests.

July 22

Today, after returning from the free weekend, everyone was at the beach for Yom
Habonim Dror. This day is a fun and exciting day where the MBIers have a chance to
cool down in the water and meet their Habonim peers from around the world. The
chanichim enjoyed some delicious food, a water slide, water trampoline, DJ dance
party, and t-shirt swaps (So many t-shirts were traded!). They did all this with their
counterparts from Habonim in England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil,
Uruguay, Argentina, and Mexico. It was truly a mix of accents, languages, and fun, all
built around our shared identity as members of Habonim Dror in Israel.

July 19th

Today, the second day of Rafsodia, started by each group finishing up their rafts.
In the afternoon all of the boats were completed, flags were hoisted and they were
off, sailing across the sea. This was a very hot and intense day of work but everyone
finished the day with a great sense of accomplishment and pride in their rafts.

After a long and hot day, the MBIers spent a relaxing night at the Shlomi Youth
Hostel. Tomorrow morning friends will part, either for the free weekend with friends
and family, or for a relaxing weekend at the Shlomi Youth Hostel. The whole group
will meet back up Sunday afternoon in Tel Aviv. We’ll be back with an update then.
Shabbat Shalom!

July 18

Today and tomorrow will be the days of Rafsodia and MBI has been hard at work on
the banks of the Kinneret. Rafsodiah is a 2 day group-building and outdoor training
activity which will foster stronger personal connections amongst the MBIers, who are
working together to build a raft that they will then be able to sail across the Kinneret.
The group arrived bright and early this morning and got to work. Each kvutzah was
given materials and instruction for raft building (they were supervised of course).

As the sun set on the first lovely and productive day the chanichim split up into their
kvutzot and had a discussion about the challenges that Rafsodia posed and applying it
to themselves and their relationships. Rafsodia is a great opportunity to continue the
bonding as a kvutzah and to really solidify their relationships before the touring of the country commences.