Post-Poland

After a long and intense week, the shnatties returned back to Israel safely early this morning. A thorough update will be posted next week! Shabbat Shalom !

pre-Poland

This week the shnatties began settling into their homes for the next 3 months, in both Acco and Carmiel. They arrived on Sunday afternoon around 4-5pm and by 7pm there were many eager chefs already in the kitchen chopping vegetables and boiling water (no small feat when you are cooking pasta for 20+ people!).
On Monday and Tuesday the shnatties had their final Poland preparation seminar, which was held at the Lochamei Hagetaot (ghetto fighters) Museum which is conveniently just north of Acco. The Kibbutz of the same name was established by many youth movement members who after making aliya post-Shoah have dedicated their lives to Shoah research and rememberance. You might remember that on Yom Hashoa the group went to the closing ceremony which was held at the museum.
Some of the exhibits explored were - Janusz Korchak, Resistance, Righteous Gentiles, Warsaw, and Ghetto & Deportations. A highlight of the seminar was the testimony/meeting with Chavka Folman -Raban a member of "Dror" in Warsaw who acted as a courier until she was caught and sent to Auschwitz.



This past 2 days, Wednesday and Thursday have been an opportunity for the shnatties to relax, finish unpacking and settling into their houses, do some washing, explore their towns and even visit family or friends.
While in Poland there is no phone or email access for anyone, however if you need to contact us urgently, please be in touch with Gabe or Jo. You can also fax us at the hotels, just be sure to write "attention:Habonim Dror Group"

Leaving the south

Tomorrow the shnatties will be departing from Hatzerim, after 6 lovely weeks down south. Hatzerim has been very accommodating, and the majority of the shnatties had an opportunity to meet and experience a real and functioning kibbutz! A lot of the group also utilised the hebrew ulpan (lessons), and the increased interactions with Israelis, to work on improving their language skills!
During this period, the whole group also split into 2 locations for Kaveret - Acco and Carmiel, and there was also a continuation of the Poland preparations.
This week the shnatties will be focusing on unpacking and setting up their new homes for the next 3 months; and will be spending 2 days at Lochamei Hagetaot (ghetto fighters) Museum, juts north of Acco, continuing the Poland process preparations.
Late Thursday night/Friday morning the group departs for Poland.
We will send another update out beforehand!