Dear Parents,
As some of you may be aware, three rockets fell this morning in open area around Kiryat Shemona, an Israeli city in the Northern Galilee. At this point in time there has been ongoing monitoring of the northern border with Lebanon, but there have been no changes to the security guidelines of the Israel Experience Ltd, as detailed in the previous posts.
All of the workshoppers were made aware of what happened this morning, and none of them were near the affected area. We will be updating them, as well as the blog, as soon as there are any new developments.
I would like to wish everyone a great day, and i hope for better news for all of Israel in the coming days.
Leon.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Security Update - January 10
Dear Parents,
Shavua Tov! I hope that you have all had a relaxing weekend and an enjoyable shabbat. I just wanted to fill you all in on both the current security guidelines and protocol, as well as give you an update of the workshoppers settling into their new surroundings in Akko & Karmiel.
Since my last blog entry two days ago, the situation in the North remains the same. Under the security guidelines of the Israel Experience Ltd, there is freedom of movement for all programs along the northern border of the country. The security division of the Israel Experience is monitoring the situation very closely, and as anything changes we will update both participants and parents as early as possible.
I also wanted to relate to the security process that we undergo, as a number of parents have asked about contingency plans, and have compared the current situation to the situation that the group experienced on MBI in 2006. The security process that stands behind the program is the same security process that stood behind the MBI program in 2006. The reason why the group was continuously moved south in 2006 was because the security division of the Israel Experience Ltd created an imaginary line across the country, through which groups adhered to when undertaking their program activities. At no point were groups permitted to travel north of that security line, and MBI in 2006 adhered to those security guidelines stringently. Travelling north of that line, which extended south of Haifa, would have placed the group and it's participants in potential harm, according to the security guidelines of the Israel Experience Ltd.
At this point in time, there is no security line in the north of Israel. The minute that the Israel Experience security division notifies us that there are areas in the north deemed unsafe, according to their security guidelines, then we will re-assess the situation. If the groups in Akko and Karmiel are north of those lines, then we will act immediately to move them south, in conjunction with the Israel Experience guidelines, and we will move them to temporary housing locations in the centre of the country.
I understand all of your concerns and worries in regards to security throughout Israel at this time. All I can ask is to have trust in the security protocol and decision-making processes of the program co-ordinators, and of the Israel Experience Ltd. The security and safety of the Workshop participants is of paramount importance to everyone, and will not be compromised for anything.
This week, the workshoppers will begin their educational volunteering projects in Akko, Karmiel, and the surrounding areas. The group had a chance to see some of the schools and educational institutions in which they will be working last Wednesday, when they did a tour of some of the places and met a number of the guides and teachers that they will be working with. Needless to say, the group is very inspired to begin this exciting new chapter of Workshop, and I will post an outline of their educational projects on the blog in the coming days to let all of you know exactly where they will be and what they will be doing.
I would like to wish all of you a safe, healthy, and happy week. I'll be posting again soon so watch this space!
Regards,
Leon.
Shavua Tov! I hope that you have all had a relaxing weekend and an enjoyable shabbat. I just wanted to fill you all in on both the current security guidelines and protocol, as well as give you an update of the workshoppers settling into their new surroundings in Akko & Karmiel.
Since my last blog entry two days ago, the situation in the North remains the same. Under the security guidelines of the Israel Experience Ltd, there is freedom of movement for all programs along the northern border of the country. The security division of the Israel Experience is monitoring the situation very closely, and as anything changes we will update both participants and parents as early as possible.
I also wanted to relate to the security process that we undergo, as a number of parents have asked about contingency plans, and have compared the current situation to the situation that the group experienced on MBI in 2006. The security process that stands behind the program is the same security process that stood behind the MBI program in 2006. The reason why the group was continuously moved south in 2006 was because the security division of the Israel Experience Ltd created an imaginary line across the country, through which groups adhered to when undertaking their program activities. At no point were groups permitted to travel north of that security line, and MBI in 2006 adhered to those security guidelines stringently. Travelling north of that line, which extended south of Haifa, would have placed the group and it's participants in potential harm, according to the security guidelines of the Israel Experience Ltd.
At this point in time, there is no security line in the north of Israel. The minute that the Israel Experience security division notifies us that there are areas in the north deemed unsafe, according to their security guidelines, then we will re-assess the situation. If the groups in Akko and Karmiel are north of those lines, then we will act immediately to move them south, in conjunction with the Israel Experience guidelines, and we will move them to temporary housing locations in the centre of the country.
I understand all of your concerns and worries in regards to security throughout Israel at this time. All I can ask is to have trust in the security protocol and decision-making processes of the program co-ordinators, and of the Israel Experience Ltd. The security and safety of the Workshop participants is of paramount importance to everyone, and will not be compromised for anything.
This week, the workshoppers will begin their educational volunteering projects in Akko, Karmiel, and the surrounding areas. The group had a chance to see some of the schools and educational institutions in which they will be working last Wednesday, when they did a tour of some of the places and met a number of the guides and teachers that they will be working with. Needless to say, the group is very inspired to begin this exciting new chapter of Workshop, and I will post an outline of their educational projects on the blog in the coming days to let all of you know exactly where they will be and what they will be doing.
I would like to wish all of you a safe, healthy, and happy week. I'll be posting again soon so watch this space!
Regards,
Leon.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Additional Security Update - January 8
Dear Parents,
As of 12:30pm Israel time today the security warnings for the northern border of Israel were lifted, and the workshoppers are free to travel through the North with full security. We are continuing to monitor the situation very tightly, and will keep both parents and workshoppers updated with every change that comes to hand. We have also emphasized the importance to all of the participants of having their mobile phones on, and charged, at all times.
The Workshop group has shwown a high level of responsibility and maturity in their co-operation with the changing security guidelines since the beginning of the Gaza military operation, and are excellent ambassadors in Israel of both the movement, and their communities.
I would like to wish everyone a safe weekend and shabbat shalom.
Regards,
Leon.
As of 12:30pm Israel time today the security warnings for the northern border of Israel were lifted, and the workshoppers are free to travel through the North with full security. We are continuing to monitor the situation very tightly, and will keep both parents and workshoppers updated with every change that comes to hand. We have also emphasized the importance to all of the participants of having their mobile phones on, and charged, at all times.
The Workshop group has shwown a high level of responsibility and maturity in their co-operation with the changing security guidelines since the beginning of the Gaza military operation, and are excellent ambassadors in Israel of both the movement, and their communities.
I would like to wish everyone a safe weekend and shabbat shalom.
Regards,
Leon.
Security Update - January 8
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.
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.
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 style
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