Boneh Update

Shalom from beautiful kibbutz Ein Gev, on the shores of the Kinneret and at the foot of the Golan! Here in this beautiful location, Boneh has been moving along at a brisk pace. The Boneh-nikim have continued along in their Jewish history curriculum for the past three weeks – the last three topics were the origins of the Exile, Jews in the Muslim World and Jews in the Christian World.

During the week of Exile, we looked at how the Jewish people were divided during the late second temple period and how that allowed the Romans to conquer them; with miniature bows and arrows and enacted and debated the Bar Kochba Rebellion; we watched the Rabbis transform Judaism in order to save it and questioned just how fine the points of Talmudic logic could get; and then wrapped it all up with Amos Oz’s understanding of Judaism as a civilization. On film night we watched Monty Python’s Life of Brian to get a feel for the period. That week we also traveled to ancient Tiberias, just across the Kinneret from Ein Gev, to explore an ancient synagogue and Beit Midrash (study house) where the Sanhedrin’s rabbis studied, wrote and completed the writing the Palestinian Talmud. From there, we went on to Jerusalem to meet Machon and many other Masa participants and to enjoy an amazing concert of the Idan Raichel Project!

Then we moved on to learn about Jews in the Muslim world, starting from a look at the Muslim conquest and the new perils and opportunities it brought to the majority of the world’s Jews at that time. We looked at a variety of responses Jews chose to this new situation, and particularly at the strong Rabbinic leadership that eventually reunited the people, including such important figures as Saadia Gaon, Ibn Ezra and particularly the great Moses Maimonides. We then looked at the Golden Age for Jews in Spain under Muslim rule, at the development and progress of Jewish thought at this time, and also at Yehuda Halevi’s poetry which in the face of this good situation still focused so strongly on yearning for Zion. The week was wrapped up by projects – this week it was creating game shows which could be used to teach about Jews in the Muslim World - we enjoyed such creative shows as Hollywood Squares, Taboo and Top Jewish Chef.

This week was interrupted briefly in the middle by Purim, which of course is an opportunity to celebrate! Many Shnatties traveled for the evening, mainly to Holon to celebrate together with the British shnatties, but came back Tuesday afternoon in time to participate in running a Purim carnival for the kibbutz children. The little kids had a great time and the Shnatties had a great chance to meet kibbutzniks and experience the holiday Israel-style. They also prepared a special dance for the kibbutz grownups’ Purim Play which they performed on the Friday night.

Last week we learnt about Jews in the Christian World, focusing on both the Spanish Inquisition and the rise of Polish Jewry. Questions they asked included: “How did the Jewish community look under conditions of freedom and tolerance?” “How did the Golden Age end? What were the reasons the Inquisition happened? What were the external factors going on at the time?” “How did the Jews respond to persecution?” The Boneh-nikim also had a siyur (excursion) to the Diaspora Musuem in Tel Aviv, also known as the Museum of the Jewish People. The museum conveys the story of the Jewish people from the time of their expulsion after the 2nd temple destruction, to the present day and relates to the unique story of the continuity of the Jewish people.

The above questions continue in this weeks’ seminar which looks at both “Shtetl” life and the Emancipation period.

Other highlights of the Boneh tochnit (program) include Hadracha and Israel Update. Hadracha is the leadership course that all Habonim Dror shnatties participate in. Through this course we combine both practical and theory leadership aspects and all that is connected to being a responsible madrich (leader) upon return to Australia or New Zealand. So far this Boneh, we have looked at the concept of groups as opposed to teams, and “reading” a group such that you can appropriately respond and deal with its needs; working as a tzevet (team) which is a crucial aspect of hadracha, basic youth psychology and development, counseling and duty of care; all of which are topics imperative to being in charge for children and young adults. Hadracha classes take place every week, with an additional specialization afternoon to take place in May.

Israel Update also takes place every week, and allows the Boneh-nikim to spend some more time getting to know in depth what is going on in Israeli society today. As you can probably imagine, the focus is mainly on the ever changing political situation given the aftermath of the February elections.

That’s all for now – some pictures to follow soon!