Hi all,
Things on Kaveret have been progressing along at a lighting pace as both groups start to get used to a routine of lots of traveling, planning peulot (activities), discussing, cleaning and cooking! The chaggim provide a bit of a break to the routine, for both good and bad, but most of the shnatties have utilised the chofesh (break) days as a time to see family or friends around the country, and relax.
This week is a short week due to Yom Kippur, with Tuesday a messima day, and on Wednesday and Thursday the shnatties have a seminar in their houses. Next week during Chol Hamoed Succot, we depart of the famous Yam L'Yam tiyul where we will hike most of the way from Nahariya to Tiberias, together with the Northern hemisphere shnatties.
On another note, Israel switched to winter time this morning, and all clocks went back an hour so be sure to check the time difference when you want to call.
Wishing you all a gmar hatima tova and a meaningful fast.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
September!
As you all know, the shnatties returned from Poland early on Friday morning. Overall it was a very special, meaningful and unique journey.
The first day was spent in Cracow, walking around the old Jewish quarter - Kazimisch - exploring the syngagogues and Jewish culture that existed for hundreds of years. After some free time at the central Sukinize square, we walked to the Wawel castle and heard stories of rich Polish history from the past few hundred years.
The second day we traveled to Auschwitz and Birkenau, which was a long and intense day. At the close of the day, the first tekes (ceremony) of many that were planned by some of the shnatties was held. It included many personal testimonies and was a very inspiring and fitting way to end a difficult day.
The third day was spent mainly in Cracow, in the Jewish ghetto area and a hospital were Jewish fighters had hidden and got caught. We also went to Schindlers factory which is about to open as a museum for the first time.
In the morning of the forth day, we walked around what used to be Nazi headquarters in Lublin, and focused on some of the different groups involved in the Nazi party and Hitler’s regime. In the afternoon we went to the concentration and death camp, Majdanek, situated only a few kilometers from downtown Lublin.
The fifth day was spent in the city of Lodz, whose ghetto has a very different story when compared with others across Europe. We visited a few sites and the Umshlagplatz (deportation square). That afternoon, back in Warsaw, we went to the Gensia cemetery and “met” a few of the characters, further deepening our exploration of the rich Jewish life that once existed in Poland.
The Braitberg twins giving testimony outside their grandmother's house in Lodz
The sixth day we visited what once was the shtetl of Tykochin, where Jews had lived peacefully for many hundreds of years before traveling to Lopochowa, the site of their eventual demise. The afternoon we were in another death camp, Treblinka.
The last day in Poland was spent in Warsaw, where it unfortunately rained very heavily all morning. We walked a bit around the old ghetto area and visited the site of a “chava” (literally – farm, but equivalent to “Shnat”) and Dzielna, the site of the Dror commune in the ghetto. The afternoon was spent walking through the path of remembrance and heroism, learning and discussing the uprisings and other various acts that took place in the ghetto. We finished with a final tekes at the Rapaport monument.
The shnatties at Dzielna - the site of the Dror commune
We left Warsaw very late on Thursday night arriving in Israel early Friday. The shnatties had time to rest and relax through to Sunday evening.
The final stretch of Shnat has started, with the Kaveret portion. The shnatties are now based in their 2 towns, and this week are undergoing a general orientation seminar looking at topics such as the Israeli School System, Responsibility of a Youth Movement in Society, Informal Education Codes, as well as thinking about how to consciously create their environment and relationships with each other. As you can imagine, living in a communal house has its challenges, and the shnatties are also spending some time decorating and thinking about routines they want to implement. Another focus of the seminar is splitting into their smaller messima tzvatim (the smaller groups that work in different schools around the north together). More details on these will be given next week.
The first day was spent in Cracow, walking around the old Jewish quarter - Kazimisch - exploring the syngagogues and Jewish culture that existed for hundreds of years. After some free time at the central Sukinize square, we walked to the Wawel castle and heard stories of rich Polish history from the past few hundred years.
The second day we traveled to Auschwitz and Birkenau, which was a long and intense day. At the close of the day, the first tekes (ceremony) of many that were planned by some of the shnatties was held. It included many personal testimonies and was a very inspiring and fitting way to end a difficult day.
The third day was spent mainly in Cracow, in the Jewish ghetto area and a hospital were Jewish fighters had hidden and got caught. We also went to Schindlers factory which is about to open as a museum for the first time.
In the morning of the forth day, we walked around what used to be Nazi headquarters in Lublin, and focused on some of the different groups involved in the Nazi party and Hitler’s regime. In the afternoon we went to the concentration and death camp, Majdanek, situated only a few kilometers from downtown Lublin.
The fifth day was spent in the city of Lodz, whose ghetto has a very different story when compared with others across Europe. We visited a few sites and the Umshlagplatz (deportation square). That afternoon, back in Warsaw, we went to the Gensia cemetery and “met” a few of the characters, further deepening our exploration of the rich Jewish life that once existed in Poland.
The Braitberg twins giving testimony outside their grandmother's house in Lodz
The sixth day we visited what once was the shtetl of Tykochin, where Jews had lived peacefully for many hundreds of years before traveling to Lopochowa, the site of their eventual demise. The afternoon we were in another death camp, Treblinka.
The last day in Poland was spent in Warsaw, where it unfortunately rained very heavily all morning. We walked a bit around the old ghetto area and visited the site of a “chava” (literally – farm, but equivalent to “Shnat”) and Dzielna, the site of the Dror commune in the ghetto. The afternoon was spent walking through the path of remembrance and heroism, learning and discussing the uprisings and other various acts that took place in the ghetto. We finished with a final tekes at the Rapaport monument.
The shnatties at Dzielna - the site of the Dror commune
We left Warsaw very late on Thursday night arriving in Israel early Friday. The shnatties had time to rest and relax through to Sunday evening.
The final stretch of Shnat has started, with the Kaveret portion. The shnatties are now based in their 2 towns, and this week are undergoing a general orientation seminar looking at topics such as the Israeli School System, Responsibility of a Youth Movement in Society, Informal Education Codes, as well as thinking about how to consciously create their environment and relationships with each other. As you can imagine, living in a communal house has its challenges, and the shnatties are also spending some time decorating and thinking about routines they want to implement. Another focus of the seminar is splitting into their smaller messima tzvatim (the smaller groups that work in different schools around the north together). More details on these will be given next week.
Friday, August 28, 2009
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 !
Thursday, August 20, 2009
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"
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"
Saturday, August 15, 2009
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!
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!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Yom Habonim Dror
Last Thursday July 16, Yom Habonim 2009 took place on Kibbutz Sdot Yam beach. Participating were over 650 chanichim on long or short term Habonim Dror programs in Israel from the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Brasil, Canada, France, Holland, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey, Uruguay, USA and the UK, together with bogrei tnua (movement graduates) who have made aliya. This was the largest Yom Habonim Dror in memory, and will prove a highlight of the year for our shnatties.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Hatzerim!!
On Sunday the shnatties arrived at Kibbutz Hatzerim, where they are living for the next 6 weeks. They are doing an ulpan, which involves hebrew study 3 mornings a week, and working on the kibbutz for another 3 days. Its on a rotation, so half the group has hebrew classes, while the other half works. The next day they swap, and so it keeps going..
The shnatties live in 2 buildings right next to each other, with 3 of 4 in each room together with a bathroom, some furniture and most importantly - air conditioning!! The shnatties have their own moadon (clubroom) with a TV/DVD, 2 computers and a kitchenette with a fridge which is permanently stocked with yoghurt, fruits and vegetables!
The work places vary, with a majority being outdoors in the Jojoba fields, or the gardens.
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