Workshop 58

Hello again everyone!

Well we have finally reached the end of the first full week of the boneh component of Workshop. And what a wonderful and positive week it has been.

The week started off with the first classes of Boneh. Both this week and next week the workshoppers will be looking at chaggim (holidays) in Judaism, from a variety of different themes and angles. Some of the topics that they looked at in their classes this week include:

- The Jewish calendar and yearly cycle - covering the progression of months in Judaism, the times of the year where the Jewish holidays fall, and the impact of the lunar cycle on 'Rosh Chodesh' (First day of the month).
- The 'Shalosh Regalim' - examining the original three chaggim in Judaism - Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot. Discussing the place of the commandments and moral fibres of ancient Jewish society, and the role of the pilgrimage festivals in the shaping of that society.
- The meanings of the Chaggim - looking at the original meanings, themes, and values based around the Jewish festivals that we celebrate today, as well as the everyday expressions and rituals that you could imagine to see in Jewish communities all over the world.

As you can see it has been a busy week. And that's only the classes!

Hebrew has also started this week, and the workshoppers have approached their ulpan classes with much enthusiasm and motivation. By the time the group leaves kibbutz Ein Dor in 3 months, they should be speaking hebrew like naturals!

The group also had a special guest speaker come to address them on the first full day of Boneh. Silvio Joskowitz, the world Mazkir of Habonim Dror, came to talk to the group on Sunday evening, and wish them great successes and experiences for their workshop year to come.

In conjunction with the general educational theme of the week, chaggim, the workshoppers also watched a movie on the big screen (well - on a projector, but it's like the real thing) on Tuesday night. The Israeli movie, 'Ushpizin', examines the Sukkot tradition of inviting guests and strangers into your home and taking responsibility for their hospitality. The film gave the workshoppers a great insight into both the ancient Jewish tradition, and into modern Israeli society.

The workshoppers also engaged in some chuggim (choice-based small educational groups), both educational and art & craft based, on common lines and themes of the week. During the discussion chuggim, the workshoppers were able to choose between topics, including an in-depth discussion about Jewish traditions around the world, and a look at different Jewish legends and folk tales.

During the creative chuggim, the shnatties were able to choose between activities, including finger-painting a mural of the ten plagues, learning traditional songs of the chaggim, creating and writing Rosh Hashana greeting cards, and even a tree-hugging activity to commemorate Tu B'Av.

To cap off the week, the whole of Boneh was invited to a regional kabbalat shabbat on Friday night in the museum at Ein Dor. Members of kibbutzim from all over the Jezre'el Valley came to participate, and everyone was excited to see such a big and energetic group of young people involved. It could become a regular fixture on the Boneh calendar!

So as you can see, it has been a big week for the workshoppers this week, and this is only the beginning! Below are some pictures from the opening ceremony of Boneh last week, and there will be more to come soon. Stay tuned!

Until next time,
Leon