Dear parents,
Approximately two hours ago (7:30am Wednesday morning), 4 rockets were fired from Southern Lebanon into Israel. These rockets fell in and around the northern city of Nahariya.
The Israel Experience issued a security warning immediately, and basically outlined a buffer zone where program participants could not travel to, which is north of the Akko-Tsfat line.
At this point in time, Akko and Karmiel are both safe, according to the security line outlined. I spoke this morning with Silvio Joskowitz, Habonim Dror's World Mazkir, and with Meir Hoyzman, who is the manager of the North American division of the Israel Experience, who both gave assurances that, security-wise, remaining in Akko and Karmiel is adequate for the current situation. I will be maintaining close contact with them, and with the security division of the Israel experience, in regards to any updates and/or changes in the situation.
The workshoppers have a closed weekend this weekend, and will be with their madrichim throughout. We will all be very closely monitoring the situation in the North, and will ensure that any changes will be responded to swiftly and responsibly.
I wish all of you a great day, and the hope for better news for everyone soon.
Regards,
Leon.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Security Guidelines - January 3
Dear Parents,
As some of you may be aware, the Israeli Defense Forces this evening launched a ground offensive in Gaza. At the present moment, the security stipulations for all of the Israel Experience programs has not changed from the outline which I posted yesterday.
As any and all changes take place, they will be posted at the earliest available possibility on the blog.
I would like to wish everyone a shavua tov, and a happy and healthy week.
Regards,
Leon
As some of you may be aware, the Israeli Defense Forces this evening launched a ground offensive in Gaza. At the present moment, the security stipulations for all of the Israel Experience programs has not changed from the outline which I posted yesterday.
As any and all changes take place, they will be posted at the earliest available possibility on the blog.
I would like to wish everyone a shavua tov, and a happy and healthy week.
Regards,
Leon
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Security Guidelines - January 2
Dear Parents,
Firstly i would like to wish everyone a happy new year, and i hope that 2009 has thus far been healthy and safe for all of you. I wanted to address some concerns in regards to the current security guidelines of the program, in light of the ongoing operation of the Israeli Defense Forces in Gaza.
There are 4 concerns in regards to the new security guidelines that have been issued by the Israel Experience, and the guidelines reflect responses to these general topics:
1 - The firing of rockets from Gaza into the southern region of Israel.
2 - Demonstrations in the Arab sector of Israel, specifically in East Jerusalem and some northern areas.
3 - Warnings from Hamas of terrorist attacks within Israel.
4 - The possibility of a northern attack from the Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Israel experience has certified a number of newer security warnings, as well as re-iterated a number of pre-existing warnings from the beginning of the program, to ensure that participants comply with those warnings at this time. The current security guidelines, in regards to potential risks, are as follows:
- Chanichim are not allowed within a 40km radius of the Gaza Strip. This area extends from Yavne to the west to Gedera in the east, and curves around south to Beer-Sheva. Travel to the south can be done via Road 6 until Kama Intersection, and then bypassing Beer-Sheva via the Arad road.
- No entrance to Arab villages in the North, including the Old City of Acco. Druze Hospitality is allowed in the Carmel region.
- No travel along Road 90 North (from Almog Junction to Beit Shean) or Road 1 West (Jerusalem to Almog Junction) after nightfall.
This is a guideline which has been in place since the beginning of the program. We do not currently allow any travel on this part of Road 90 or Road 1 West.
- East Jerusalem and the Old City: No travel to the Arab neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem, as stipulated in the beginning of the program. Entry to the Jewish Quarter of the Old City is via the Zion Gate only. No visiting to the Kotel on Fridays between 11:00-14:00 (again, this guideline has been in place since the beginning of workshop, due to infrequent examples of tension at the kotel during these times).
- Participants should not go to the malls in the following cities: Netanya, Kfar Saba, Hadera, Raanana, Petach Tikva. There has been no specific warning in regards to attacks, but there is a precautionary warning against malls in these cities.
- Participants should not travel to the Tel-Aviv boardwalk, between the Dolphinarium and 'Sites Square'. after the hours of 10pm.
I also wanted to explain some of the processes that the program is taking to ensure that the participants don't put themselves into a situation that could present possible risk or danger.
- All participants must be in contact with their madrichim (counselors) DAILY, by telephone. The madrichim have outlines of travel plans for all of the participants, so any potential risks need to be changed by the participants, at the discretion of the program co-ordinators in conjunction with the security guidelines. In addition, all changes in the participants' plans must be confirmed with their madrichim.
- The madrichim are contactable 24 hours through the day, and we are also insisting that the participants keep their phones ON for 24 hours, so that they are contactable if situations or security guidelines change.
- In regards to the warning on the Old city of Akko - up to this point there have been no reported incidents of tension or violence in the area, and the warnings are precautionary. We will be talking to the group in Akko on Sunday, when they all return, in regards to this warning. The Old city is about 8 kilometres form the Workshop house near the train station.
- As for the warnings about travel to Arab villages in the North; In the coming weeks the workshoppers will begin their 'messimot' (volunteering projects), which at this point includes some Arab villages in the north. We will not send any participants into these villages without a complete security clearance beforehand.
- A few parents have expressed concern over the possibility of a northern attack from Lebanon. In this case, we will relocate all of the workshoppers temporarily to the centre of the country. We have a couple of different potential options, and we would have them evacuated as early as possible. When the group comes back together on Sunday, we will outline the nearest bomb shelters and the procedure for attack warnings and sirens, to ensure that all of the workshoppers understand their responsibilities in following any necessary security steps in their new homes.
I understand all of your concerns over the past week in regards to the security situation in Israel, and i hope that these guidelines have given all of you a better understanding as to the extent of our security monitoring of the program through the Israel Experience. I will post any changes to the security situation in Israel as early as i can in the coming days, and as i receive them. I am attaching two maps of the security buffer zone surrounding Gaza at this time, to give you an idea of the 'No Go' Zone at this point in time.
A map from Homefront Command outlining areas which have guidelines
places on them surrounding Gaza
A map roughly outlining the restricted area for program participants
Firstly i would like to wish everyone a happy new year, and i hope that 2009 has thus far been healthy and safe for all of you. I wanted to address some concerns in regards to the current security guidelines of the program, in light of the ongoing operation of the Israeli Defense Forces in Gaza.
There are 4 concerns in regards to the new security guidelines that have been issued by the Israel Experience, and the guidelines reflect responses to these general topics:
1 - The firing of rockets from Gaza into the southern region of Israel.
2 - Demonstrations in the Arab sector of Israel, specifically in East Jerusalem and some northern areas.
3 - Warnings from Hamas of terrorist attacks within Israel.
4 - The possibility of a northern attack from the Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Israel experience has certified a number of newer security warnings, as well as re-iterated a number of pre-existing warnings from the beginning of the program, to ensure that participants comply with those warnings at this time. The current security guidelines, in regards to potential risks, are as follows:
- Chanichim are not allowed within a 40km radius of the Gaza Strip. This area extends from Yavne to the west to Gedera in the east, and curves around south to Beer-Sheva. Travel to the south can be done via Road 6 until Kama Intersection, and then bypassing Beer-Sheva via the Arad road.
- No entrance to Arab villages in the North, including the Old City of Acco. Druze Hospitality is allowed in the Carmel region.
- No travel along Road 90 North (from Almog Junction to Beit Shean) or Road 1 West (Jerusalem to Almog Junction) after nightfall.
This is a guideline which has been in place since the beginning of the program. We do not currently allow any travel on this part of Road 90 or Road 1 West.
- East Jerusalem and the Old City: No travel to the Arab neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem, as stipulated in the beginning of the program. Entry to the Jewish Quarter of the Old City is via the Zion Gate only. No visiting to the Kotel on Fridays between 11:00-14:00 (again, this guideline has been in place since the beginning of workshop, due to infrequent examples of tension at the kotel during these times).
- Participants should not go to the malls in the following cities: Netanya, Kfar Saba, Hadera, Raanana, Petach Tikva. There has been no specific warning in regards to attacks, but there is a precautionary warning against malls in these cities.
- Participants should not travel to the Tel-Aviv boardwalk, between the Dolphinarium and 'Sites Square'. after the hours of 10pm.
I also wanted to explain some of the processes that the program is taking to ensure that the participants don't put themselves into a situation that could present possible risk or danger.
- All participants must be in contact with their madrichim (counselors) DAILY, by telephone. The madrichim have outlines of travel plans for all of the participants, so any potential risks need to be changed by the participants, at the discretion of the program co-ordinators in conjunction with the security guidelines. In addition, all changes in the participants' plans must be confirmed with their madrichim.
- The madrichim are contactable 24 hours through the day, and we are also insisting that the participants keep their phones ON for 24 hours, so that they are contactable if situations or security guidelines change.
- In regards to the warning on the Old city of Akko - up to this point there have been no reported incidents of tension or violence in the area, and the warnings are precautionary. We will be talking to the group in Akko on Sunday, when they all return, in regards to this warning. The Old city is about 8 kilometres form the Workshop house near the train station.
- As for the warnings about travel to Arab villages in the North; In the coming weeks the workshoppers will begin their 'messimot' (volunteering projects), which at this point includes some Arab villages in the north. We will not send any participants into these villages without a complete security clearance beforehand.
- A few parents have expressed concern over the possibility of a northern attack from Lebanon. In this case, we will relocate all of the workshoppers temporarily to the centre of the country. We have a couple of different potential options, and we would have them evacuated as early as possible. When the group comes back together on Sunday, we will outline the nearest bomb shelters and the procedure for attack warnings and sirens, to ensure that all of the workshoppers understand their responsibilities in following any necessary security steps in their new homes.
I understand all of your concerns over the past week in regards to the security situation in Israel, and i hope that these guidelines have given all of you a better understanding as to the extent of our security monitoring of the program through the Israel Experience. I will post any changes to the security situation in Israel as early as i can in the coming days, and as i receive them. I am attaching two maps of the security buffer zone surrounding Gaza at this time, to give you an idea of the 'No Go' Zone at this point in time.
A map from Homefront Command outlining areas which have guidelines
places on them surrounding Gaza
A map roughly outlining the restricted area for program participants
I hope that these outlines have given you a better idea of what the current situation is in Israel, and the extent of the security guidelines that we are making on the program. If you have any further questions or concerns, be in contact with Shani on email, and she can forward on to me any further queries, which i would be happy to address.
I wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2009.
Regards,
Leon Schneider
Workshop Co-ordinator
I wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2009.
Regards,
Leon Schneider
Workshop Co-ordinator
Monday, December 1, 2008
The end of Boneh is nigh!
Hi again everyone,
So it has been an action-packed month of activities in November, and it's hard to know where to start. The workshoppers have gotten back into more of a routine after all of the chaggim experiences in October, but the hectic pace of workshop hasn't gotten any slower.
The first weekend in November was spent with Habonim Dror Shnat participants from all over the globe, at Rabin Seminar in Nes Harim. There were shnatties there from all over the globe, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and the Brits of course. The seminar had mixed groups, and even had a hebrew speaking groups for those workshoppers that wanted to sharpen their hebrew skills. It examined the concept of incitement and violence in democratic society, both at the time of Rabin's assassination and today, and also looked at the threats to democracy in contemporary Israeli society. The seminar was capped off by attending the annual Rabin memorial rally in Rabin square in Tel-Aviv. The guest speakers of the rally included the Labor Party leader and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and the Kadima Party leader and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.
After the hectic weekend it was 'back to school' for Workshop 58, and Boneh rolled around for another few weeks. The following week from the seminar looked at the beginning of Zionism and some of the great Zionist thinkers. The classes looked at some of the great modern Zionist thinkers, the concept of modern 'chalutziut' (pioneering), the beginnings of Labour Zionism, and the beginnings of the 'aliyot' (mass waves of immigration to Palestine).
The group spent a day on siyur (tour) to Jerusalem during the week, and went to Israel's national cemetary, Har Herzl, as well as one of the famous sites in Jerusalem, Ammunition Hill.
The week was rounded out with the workshoppers doing an activity based on the things they had learnt during the week, where they put together children's picture books based on some of the personalities that they had learnt of during their classes.
The following week the workshoppers looked at Modern Israel, and the week after they looked at the roots and history of the Arab-Israeli conflict. They went on siyurim (tours) to the Golan heights, and examined the current border status of Israel with Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. They also spent some time in the ancient port city of Caesarea, as well as a guided tour to the Atlit Illegal Immigration Camp from the pre-state British Mandate. The camp was a detention centre for Jews who were caught as illegal immigrants, and holds hundreds of amazing personal stories.
Currently, the workshoppers are nearing the end of the renowned History of Habonim Hagshama (actualisation) seminar. The seminar has taken them to see some of the vatikim (veterans) of the movement, and has given them the chance to hear some of the inspiring personal stories from movement members who made aliya and built up the state of Israel. The workshoppers visited Ma'ayan Baruch, Kfar Blum, Kfar Hanasi, and kibbutz Yizre'el, and will also get a chance to meet members of the newer urban communes in Israel. The seminar will give the workshoppers a great opportunity to understand where the movement has come from, and to challenge the ways in which they want to shape it on their return to North America.
So, come next week we will be in the last week and a half of the Boneh program, and already within three weeks the workshoppers will be in their new homes in Akko and Karmiel. The chofesh period starts on December 23, and all workshoppers need to be back to start on January 3.
Until next time,
Leon
Workshoppers are all smiles at the Rabin rally
Thanksgiving - Workshop style
So it has been an action-packed month of activities in November, and it's hard to know where to start. The workshoppers have gotten back into more of a routine after all of the chaggim experiences in October, but the hectic pace of workshop hasn't gotten any slower.
The first weekend in November was spent with Habonim Dror Shnat participants from all over the globe, at Rabin Seminar in Nes Harim. There were shnatties there from all over the globe, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and the Brits of course. The seminar had mixed groups, and even had a hebrew speaking groups for those workshoppers that wanted to sharpen their hebrew skills. It examined the concept of incitement and violence in democratic society, both at the time of Rabin's assassination and today, and also looked at the threats to democracy in contemporary Israeli society. The seminar was capped off by attending the annual Rabin memorial rally in Rabin square in Tel-Aviv. The guest speakers of the rally included the Labor Party leader and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and the Kadima Party leader and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.
After the hectic weekend it was 'back to school' for Workshop 58, and Boneh rolled around for another few weeks. The following week from the seminar looked at the beginning of Zionism and some of the great Zionist thinkers. The classes looked at some of the great modern Zionist thinkers, the concept of modern 'chalutziut' (pioneering), the beginnings of Labour Zionism, and the beginnings of the 'aliyot' (mass waves of immigration to Palestine).
The group spent a day on siyur (tour) to Jerusalem during the week, and went to Israel's national cemetary, Har Herzl, as well as one of the famous sites in Jerusalem, Ammunition Hill.
The week was rounded out with the workshoppers doing an activity based on the things they had learnt during the week, where they put together children's picture books based on some of the personalities that they had learnt of during their classes.
The following week the workshoppers looked at Modern Israel, and the week after they looked at the roots and history of the Arab-Israeli conflict. They went on siyurim (tours) to the Golan heights, and examined the current border status of Israel with Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. They also spent some time in the ancient port city of Caesarea, as well as a guided tour to the Atlit Illegal Immigration Camp from the pre-state British Mandate. The camp was a detention centre for Jews who were caught as illegal immigrants, and holds hundreds of amazing personal stories.
Currently, the workshoppers are nearing the end of the renowned History of Habonim Hagshama (actualisation) seminar. The seminar has taken them to see some of the vatikim (veterans) of the movement, and has given them the chance to hear some of the inspiring personal stories from movement members who made aliya and built up the state of Israel. The workshoppers visited Ma'ayan Baruch, Kfar Blum, Kfar Hanasi, and kibbutz Yizre'el, and will also get a chance to meet members of the newer urban communes in Israel. The seminar will give the workshoppers a great opportunity to understand where the movement has come from, and to challenge the ways in which they want to shape it on their return to North America.
So, come next week we will be in the last week and a half of the Boneh program, and already within three weeks the workshoppers will be in their new homes in Akko and Karmiel. The chofesh period starts on December 23, and all workshoppers need to be back to start on January 3.
Until next time,
Leon
Workshoppers are all smiles at the Rabin rally
Thanksgiving - Workshop styleTuesday, November 18, 2008
Incident in Tel Aviv
Hello Workshop Families,
I want to inform you about an incident that occurred this morning in Israel. A car bomb went off killing a well known mafia boss of the Israeli mafia underworld. None of the bystanders were severely wounded. This is a contained issue and no special security warning have been issued from the Jewish Agency. All of the workshoppers are safe and accounted for. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me. For more information please visit www.haaretz.com
Sincerely,
Shani
I want to inform you about an incident that occurred this morning in Israel. A car bomb went off killing a well known mafia boss of the Israeli mafia underworld. None of the bystanders were severely wounded. This is a contained issue and no special security warning have been issued from the Jewish Agency. All of the workshoppers are safe and accounted for. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me. For more information please visit www.haaretz.com
Sincerely,
Shani
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Hikes, classes, and all round fun!
Hi again everyone!
So firstly let me apologise for being a little tardy in response time on the blog. The last few weeks have been an exciting time for Workshop 58, and i guess with all that excitement comes a bunch of work to keep me busy too. Nevertheless, the chaggim are now behind us, and boy oh boy did we have some memorable experiences on Workshop.
It all started three weeks ago with our 3 day tiyul through the harsh and unforgiving terrain of the Judean desert. The workshoppers hiked together, cooked together, ate together, and slept out under the stars together. The group walked about 25 kilometres over the three days, from the beginning of a beautiful valley in the judean desert hills, through Masada, and finally ending on the beach of the Dead Sea. The tiyul was shared with the British shnat group, and was a straight hiking and camping experience in the serene Judean Desert hills. That's right - no buses or hostels! And while everyone was fittingly exhausted by the end, and in desperate need of a shower, the group had a fantastic time and gained an intimate understanding of the desert beauty of Israel.
The following week, the workshoppers were back on Ein Dor for another week of classes on Boneh. The week's general educational theme was based around the diaspora history of Judaism, from the Bar Kochba revolt to the period of global enlightenment and Jewish 'haskala'. The classes examined such topics as the Bar Kochba revolt and the beginning of modern religious Judaism, the enlightemnent period in general, the French revolution, Jewish European emancipation, the beginning of the Reform movement of Judaism, and 19th century Judaism and it's challenges in Russia. The workshoppers also got a chance to plan and run chuggim (creative workshops) for themselves and the British shnatties during the week, which was a great avenue for them to take ownership of the educational and experiential content of their week, and empowered them within the community of Boneh. Some of the chuggim for the week including a re-telling of some of the famous stories of the village of Chelm, Rikudei Am (Israeli dancing), and a special viewing of 'amazing things that cats can do' (with special help from the youtube website).
The week ended with the Boneh project time, and the task that befell the workshoppers this week was to create a 'facebook' profile for one of the famous historical figures that they learnt of through the week (for those unfamiliar with facebook - it is an internet website for personal and social networking). Workshoppers were split into groups of 3 and were given a character to research and create a 'profile' page for. Then all of the characters were put together in a group, aptly named the 'Habo Workshnat Shtetl." Some of the characters include Bar Kochba, Moses Mendelsohn, the Baal Shem Tov, Shalom Aleichem, and even Tevya the Dairyman from Fiddler on the Roof. The activity gave the workshoppers a really strong insight into the fundamental changes and reovlutionary ideas that have been a part of Judaism for the past 2,000 years, and continue to influence Jewish life today.
For a final treat for the week, the chanichim went on a siyur (guided tour) to the Diaspora museum in Tel-Aviv university. The museum traces back the history of rituals, expressions, and geographical influences of world Jewry over the past 3,000 years. It includes the backgrounds on many acts and concepts that are prevalent in the day-to-day lives of the Workshoppers in their communities, in a vibrant and dynamic visual way. Needless to say, it really solidified the educational understandings that the workshoppers had discussed over the previous week.
Arguably the most memorable event of the past few weeks (although i guess on Workshop every event is memorable!) was Yam le Yam, Habonim Dror's annual walk from 'Sea to Sea' during Sukkot. The tiyul started at Achziv beach, slightly north of Nahariya, with the opening tekkes, and the filling of the ceremonial bottle of water from the mediteranean sea (the first of the two seas in 'yam le yam'), before heading off to park Goren to begin the actual hiking. The workshoppers were joined throughout the tiyul by not just the British Shnatties, but also the Shnatties from the Australian, South African, and New Zealand Habo movement. We had over 100 hikers, not even including the tzevet!
The first night was spent in the camping area of park Goren, and the workshoppers revisited one of their most memorable meal options from the Judean desert tiyul two weeks earlier - the poike!
After a solid night sleep under the stars, the workshoppers spent the next challenging day of hiking climbing up Israel's second highest mountain, Mt Meron. Har Meron is one of the most significant and symbolic sites in the Galil area of Israel, so to not just learn about it's history, but also conquer it, was a huge achievement for our up-and-coming hiking professionals!
That night they slept out in the Amud stream camping area, and all of the campers were treated to a big medura (bonfire), full of singing, talking, and something which no bonfire would be complete without - Marshmallows!
Our final day of hiking had the workshoppers hiking down from the Amud Stream down to Ginnosar Beach, which is on the kinneret (the second sea in 'yam le yam'). After a heavy morning of walking, the group finally arrived to the beach, and had lots of fun eating together, and then swimming together in the beautiful and tranquil kinneret sea.
But all good things must come to an end, and at around 4pm on the final day we had our closing tekkes, which included the transfer of mediteranean sea water to the kinneret as a symbol of our huge tiyul achievement. The workshoppers said goodbye to their new made southern hemisphere friends, and got back on the bus. Of course, no Habo event would be complete without some kind of souvenir, so now every workshopper can proudly display their own 2008 'yam le yam' t-shirt, as a sign of their fantastic and unforgettable tiyul experience.
I feel like i have already bored you all, but as you can see, the Workshop 58 journey is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down. This time i guarantee to write again sooner, and you should all be hearing from me next week.
Next weekend all of the workshoppers will be taking part in the 2008 Rabin Seminar, which is going to be attended by all English speaking Shnat groups (UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa), as well as the spanish speakers (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico). That's going to be over 170 participants! And the seminar will be rounded out by attending the annual Rabin memorial rally in Kikar Rabin in Tel-Aviv, which is usually attended by anywhere between 70,000 and 100,000 people. It's going to be an awesome experience for the workshoppers in understanding Israel and the society of Israelis.
Until next time,
Leon Schneider
Workshop 58 takes it easy in the heat of the Judean Desert sun!
Workshop boys posing for the Galilee view
The world famous spinning chickens of yam le yam!
Workshop 58 in the final tekkes of hike yam le yam
So firstly let me apologise for being a little tardy in response time on the blog. The last few weeks have been an exciting time for Workshop 58, and i guess with all that excitement comes a bunch of work to keep me busy too. Nevertheless, the chaggim are now behind us, and boy oh boy did we have some memorable experiences on Workshop.
It all started three weeks ago with our 3 day tiyul through the harsh and unforgiving terrain of the Judean desert. The workshoppers hiked together, cooked together, ate together, and slept out under the stars together. The group walked about 25 kilometres over the three days, from the beginning of a beautiful valley in the judean desert hills, through Masada, and finally ending on the beach of the Dead Sea. The tiyul was shared with the British shnat group, and was a straight hiking and camping experience in the serene Judean Desert hills. That's right - no buses or hostels! And while everyone was fittingly exhausted by the end, and in desperate need of a shower, the group had a fantastic time and gained an intimate understanding of the desert beauty of Israel.
The following week, the workshoppers were back on Ein Dor for another week of classes on Boneh. The week's general educational theme was based around the diaspora history of Judaism, from the Bar Kochba revolt to the period of global enlightenment and Jewish 'haskala'. The classes examined such topics as the Bar Kochba revolt and the beginning of modern religious Judaism, the enlightemnent period in general, the French revolution, Jewish European emancipation, the beginning of the Reform movement of Judaism, and 19th century Judaism and it's challenges in Russia. The workshoppers also got a chance to plan and run chuggim (creative workshops) for themselves and the British shnatties during the week, which was a great avenue for them to take ownership of the educational and experiential content of their week, and empowered them within the community of Boneh. Some of the chuggim for the week including a re-telling of some of the famous stories of the village of Chelm, Rikudei Am (Israeli dancing), and a special viewing of 'amazing things that cats can do' (with special help from the youtube website).
The week ended with the Boneh project time, and the task that befell the workshoppers this week was to create a 'facebook' profile for one of the famous historical figures that they learnt of through the week (for those unfamiliar with facebook - it is an internet website for personal and social networking). Workshoppers were split into groups of 3 and were given a character to research and create a 'profile' page for. Then all of the characters were put together in a group, aptly named the 'Habo Workshnat Shtetl." Some of the characters include Bar Kochba, Moses Mendelsohn, the Baal Shem Tov, Shalom Aleichem, and even Tevya the Dairyman from Fiddler on the Roof. The activity gave the workshoppers a really strong insight into the fundamental changes and reovlutionary ideas that have been a part of Judaism for the past 2,000 years, and continue to influence Jewish life today.
For a final treat for the week, the chanichim went on a siyur (guided tour) to the Diaspora museum in Tel-Aviv university. The museum traces back the history of rituals, expressions, and geographical influences of world Jewry over the past 3,000 years. It includes the backgrounds on many acts and concepts that are prevalent in the day-to-day lives of the Workshoppers in their communities, in a vibrant and dynamic visual way. Needless to say, it really solidified the educational understandings that the workshoppers had discussed over the previous week.
Arguably the most memorable event of the past few weeks (although i guess on Workshop every event is memorable!) was Yam le Yam, Habonim Dror's annual walk from 'Sea to Sea' during Sukkot. The tiyul started at Achziv beach, slightly north of Nahariya, with the opening tekkes, and the filling of the ceremonial bottle of water from the mediteranean sea (the first of the two seas in 'yam le yam'), before heading off to park Goren to begin the actual hiking. The workshoppers were joined throughout the tiyul by not just the British Shnatties, but also the Shnatties from the Australian, South African, and New Zealand Habo movement. We had over 100 hikers, not even including the tzevet!
The first night was spent in the camping area of park Goren, and the workshoppers revisited one of their most memorable meal options from the Judean desert tiyul two weeks earlier - the poike!
After a solid night sleep under the stars, the workshoppers spent the next challenging day of hiking climbing up Israel's second highest mountain, Mt Meron. Har Meron is one of the most significant and symbolic sites in the Galil area of Israel, so to not just learn about it's history, but also conquer it, was a huge achievement for our up-and-coming hiking professionals!
That night they slept out in the Amud stream camping area, and all of the campers were treated to a big medura (bonfire), full of singing, talking, and something which no bonfire would be complete without - Marshmallows!
Our final day of hiking had the workshoppers hiking down from the Amud Stream down to Ginnosar Beach, which is on the kinneret (the second sea in 'yam le yam'). After a heavy morning of walking, the group finally arrived to the beach, and had lots of fun eating together, and then swimming together in the beautiful and tranquil kinneret sea.
But all good things must come to an end, and at around 4pm on the final day we had our closing tekkes, which included the transfer of mediteranean sea water to the kinneret as a symbol of our huge tiyul achievement. The workshoppers said goodbye to their new made southern hemisphere friends, and got back on the bus. Of course, no Habo event would be complete without some kind of souvenir, so now every workshopper can proudly display their own 2008 'yam le yam' t-shirt, as a sign of their fantastic and unforgettable tiyul experience.
I feel like i have already bored you all, but as you can see, the Workshop 58 journey is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down. This time i guarantee to write again sooner, and you should all be hearing from me next week.
Next weekend all of the workshoppers will be taking part in the 2008 Rabin Seminar, which is going to be attended by all English speaking Shnat groups (UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa), as well as the spanish speakers (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico). That's going to be over 170 participants! And the seminar will be rounded out by attending the annual Rabin memorial rally in Kikar Rabin in Tel-Aviv, which is usually attended by anywhere between 70,000 and 100,000 people. It's going to be an awesome experience for the workshoppers in understanding Israel and the society of Israelis.
Until next time,
Leon Schneider
Workshop 58 takes it easy in the heat of the Judean Desert sun!
Workshop boys posing for the Galilee view
The world famous spinning chickens of yam le yam!
Workshop 58 in the final tekkes of hike yam le yam
Saturday, October 4, 2008
The Workshop 58 wagon rolls on!
Hi again everyone!
So the last couple of weeks have been a great balance of learning, experience, creativity, and relaxation. The workshoppers started off two weeks ago with their second week of Boneh, and expanded on some of the topics which they started in their first week of classes. The classes took in-depth looks at a range of topics, including the changes in ritual and expression of Judaism after the destruction of the second temple and beginning of the exile. The workshoppers examined the creation of modern elements of Judaism and their beginnings, such as the bet knesset (synagogue), the hagaddah, and prayer books. The workshoppers also spoke about the division of chaggim according to religious and national lines, and focused on the national holidays of Israel, and their Zionist influence on Jewish communities around the world. In wrapping up the first two weeks of the program, the workshoppers discussed the concept of creating traditions in Judaism, and the impact of Jewish traditions in their lives and in the movement.
The workshoppers also had a great discussional session with special guests for the week, the Mazkirut Artzit (National Office). Itamar, Shani, and Yelena opened up a number of great questions for the group, and worked on defining the relationship between the group in Israel, and the office in New York. It gave the workshoppers a great insight into the role of the Mazkirut Artzit, and a great basis for co-operation and communication throughout the year.
In the chuggim for the week, the workshoppers had a smorgasbord of great discussional and creative chuggim to choose from. Some of the group chose to learn about the biblical and post-biblical history of one of the most famous sites right by Ein Dor, Mt Tavor, while some chose to participate in an in-depth analysis of the upcoming American elections. Some of the group chose to make festive magnets, in a magnet-making chug, to decorate the fridges in their rooms, while we also bought a special guest, who is an expert on organic foods, to explain the ability to 'live off the land,' literally giving the chanichim tools for recognising how to forage foods, and edible fruits and berries that grow openly in the wild in Israel.
To round out their first two weeks of Boneh, and to mark the beginning of Rosh Hashana, one of the workshop kvutsot was responsible for planning and running a 'Rosh Hashana' seder. The activities took place on the day before Rosh Hashana started, and began with a morning of introspection which gave the opportunity for all the participants of boneh to look back over the past year, and all of the experiences and changes that have happened. The workshop kvutsa that was responsible for the day also made a special festive Rosh Hashana lunch, which was a great range of salads, soups, and spreads - all vegetarian! With an abundance of tofu, pita, and hummous as well, it was a great healthy alternative for everyone!
After having 4 days of chofesh for Rosh Hashana, the workshoppers returned to Ein Dor for a shabbat b'yachad (Shabbat together). The second workshop group was responsible for orchestrating a number of activities during the shabbat, which included a kabbalat shabbat service, a special 'Oneg Shabbat' (shabbat play), discussional chuggim groups, musicale. and a special havdallah service.
Tomorrow the group is leaving kibbutz at the bright and early time of 6:30, and will spend 3 days roughing it out on tiyul (hike) in the Judean Desert. The tiyul will test the camping spirit of the workshoppers, who will hike, cook, and camp together, and will finish it all with a nice dip in the Dead Sea on Tuesday.
Also - a reminder that tonight (Saturday October 4) at 2am, daylight savings ends, so the clocks in Israel will go back an hour.
That's all for this week. I'll leave you with a few pictures. I would like to wish everyone a shana tova and chatima tova.
Chag Sameach!
Leon.
Workshop 58 makes war! Colour war style!
Workshop 58 - all smiles!
So the last couple of weeks have been a great balance of learning, experience, creativity, and relaxation. The workshoppers started off two weeks ago with their second week of Boneh, and expanded on some of the topics which they started in their first week of classes. The classes took in-depth looks at a range of topics, including the changes in ritual and expression of Judaism after the destruction of the second temple and beginning of the exile. The workshoppers examined the creation of modern elements of Judaism and their beginnings, such as the bet knesset (synagogue), the hagaddah, and prayer books. The workshoppers also spoke about the division of chaggim according to religious and national lines, and focused on the national holidays of Israel, and their Zionist influence on Jewish communities around the world. In wrapping up the first two weeks of the program, the workshoppers discussed the concept of creating traditions in Judaism, and the impact of Jewish traditions in their lives and in the movement.
The workshoppers also had a great discussional session with special guests for the week, the Mazkirut Artzit (National Office). Itamar, Shani, and Yelena opened up a number of great questions for the group, and worked on defining the relationship between the group in Israel, and the office in New York. It gave the workshoppers a great insight into the role of the Mazkirut Artzit, and a great basis for co-operation and communication throughout the year.
In the chuggim for the week, the workshoppers had a smorgasbord of great discussional and creative chuggim to choose from. Some of the group chose to learn about the biblical and post-biblical history of one of the most famous sites right by Ein Dor, Mt Tavor, while some chose to participate in an in-depth analysis of the upcoming American elections. Some of the group chose to make festive magnets, in a magnet-making chug, to decorate the fridges in their rooms, while we also bought a special guest, who is an expert on organic foods, to explain the ability to 'live off the land,' literally giving the chanichim tools for recognising how to forage foods, and edible fruits and berries that grow openly in the wild in Israel.
To round out their first two weeks of Boneh, and to mark the beginning of Rosh Hashana, one of the workshop kvutsot was responsible for planning and running a 'Rosh Hashana' seder. The activities took place on the day before Rosh Hashana started, and began with a morning of introspection which gave the opportunity for all the participants of boneh to look back over the past year, and all of the experiences and changes that have happened. The workshop kvutsa that was responsible for the day also made a special festive Rosh Hashana lunch, which was a great range of salads, soups, and spreads - all vegetarian! With an abundance of tofu, pita, and hummous as well, it was a great healthy alternative for everyone!
After having 4 days of chofesh for Rosh Hashana, the workshoppers returned to Ein Dor for a shabbat b'yachad (Shabbat together). The second workshop group was responsible for orchestrating a number of activities during the shabbat, which included a kabbalat shabbat service, a special 'Oneg Shabbat' (shabbat play), discussional chuggim groups, musicale. and a special havdallah service.
Tomorrow the group is leaving kibbutz at the bright and early time of 6:30, and will spend 3 days roughing it out on tiyul (hike) in the Judean Desert. The tiyul will test the camping spirit of the workshoppers, who will hike, cook, and camp together, and will finish it all with a nice dip in the Dead Sea on Tuesday.
Also - a reminder that tonight (Saturday October 4) at 2am, daylight savings ends, so the clocks in Israel will go back an hour.
That's all for this week. I'll leave you with a few pictures. I would like to wish everyone a shana tova and chatima tova.
Chag Sameach!
Leon.
Workshop 58 makes war! Colour war style!
Workshop 58 - all smiles!
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