Hatzar Kinneret and Rafsodia

Sorry for forgetting to post last night!  Please see information about free weekend at the bottom of this post!

Yesterday
The group headed down to the shores of the Kinneret to learn about the early pioneers at one of the most historically significant places by the Kinneret- the Chatzer Kinneret (Kinneret courtyard) and cemetery. Founded in 1909, the Kinneret courtyard was part of the first agricultural training farm in modern Israel, this is where young people would come through in small groups and learn to work the land, before leaving to somewhere else for permanent settlement. The MBIers heard stories of young people from Eastern Europe who came to Palestine and the hardships, dilemmas, failures and numerous successes that they endured in their time at the Chatzer.

Just across the road from the Chazter Kinneret is the old Kinneret cemetery. Here, the MBIers could hear the stories of some of the  famous personalities in Israel and Zionist history, ranging from the early Socialist Zionist thinkers and writers Moses Hess and Dov Ber Borachov, to the early Chalutzim (pioneers) Berl Katznelson and Rachel, the poetess to some of the integral figures of the modern state, such as Israeli song-writer Naomi Shemer.

Following the tour of Chatzer Kinneret and the cemetery the group returned to Kibbutz Degania where they are staying and spent the afternoon discussing chalutziot (Israeli pioneers), their history as well as the vision they had for Israel.  They also spent time talking to recent Habonim Dror olim (people who have moved to Israel).  Hopefully they were able to get a sense of the connection between pioneers in the early 20th century and what being a pioneer could look like today either in Israel or at home in North America. 

In the evening they had fun activities run for them by their madrachim and went to bed early!

Today
MBI woke up and after breakfast they spent some time in the morning discussing consumerism and specifically how it relates to they ways they engage in experiences and entertainment. The idea that we wanted them to explore was in essence how they create fun and leisure for themselves.  In today's world kids seem to be loosing a sense of the work that often needs to go into something in order for it to be enjoyable, memorable and positive!  

This discussion got them ready on a theoretical level for Rafsodia! The two day started this afternoon and the raft that they are currently in the process of constructing is made from three main supplies, rope, bamboo and large metal barrels that serve as flotation devices. All morning, afternoon and evening they worked on these rafts in their kvutzot with instruction from their madrichim (counselors) and staff from HeHalutz. HeHalutz, the organization who runs rafsodia, runs many rounds of the raft building each summer for many different organizations. They taught our chanichim how to tie the special knots needed to set together a raft at this size. 

Tomorrow, when the structure of the raft is complete, they will decorate a sail with a decoration that represents their kvutzah and see which of them is the first to reach the other side. Rafsodia is a special component of the MBI journey. While touring can be a very passive experience, rafsodia is anything but. During Rafsodia, they are given the chance to create something great together, to transport themselves to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. They will accomplish a lot together over the course of the two days.

I am still waiting for photos, however I will be posting lots as soon as I get them!

Also:

A reminder for everyone about free weekend, see the times and locations below.  We are currently in the midst of calling everyone's family/friends.  If we haven't gotten to you yet, please hold tight.

July 24

• Two buses leave at 8:45 am. Bus 1 goes to Tel Aviv (40 kids) and Bus 2 to Haifa then Jerusalem 
• Bus 1: Arrive at Haifa (Lev Hamifratz) at 10:00. Head out, arrive in Jerusalem (Binyanei Ha-uma) at 12:00. 
• Bus 2: Arrive at Reading Station (Tel Aviv) at 10:45. 
• Deganya Bet pickup: between 9-9:30 
• Families need to show up 15 MINUTES EARLY in case we arrive early. We will update them if we are running late. 

July 26:

• Deganya Bet drop-off at 7:20am, head out at 7:30 
• Jerusalem and Haifa – kids need to be dropped off at 09:00. 
• Tel Aviv families drop off kids at Kfar Hayarok at 10:30

More photos!

Tnua Achot, Day 14 and 15

Tnuat Achot

Over the course of the weekend, MBI spend time learning, having fun and enjoying the company of youth their age from Hanoar Haoved on Kibbutz Ravid (a kibbutz that Habonim Dror was part of creating in the 80's). Our chanichim shared what it is like to be Jewish in North America, where being Jewish is personal commitment. And the Israeli chanichim shared their experience in Israel, where Jewishness surrounds them. This experience was equally meaningful for both groups, as they grapple with the many different Jewish experiences that exist in our world.

The group also had dialogue, facilitated by madrichim (counselors) on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Both sets of chanichim had the chance to hear from the other side about how they relate and make sense of it all. They also had time to simply have fun together, and were able to share aspects of both cultures in Habonim Dror and HaNoar HaOved va’haLomed like music, games and Shabbat traditions.

Saturday evening, MBI concluded their visit with their new Israeli partners with a tekes (a ceremony) to mark their new found bonds. In HaNoar HaOved va’haLomed, a tekes is taken very seriously. This particular tekes on Shabbat featured musical performances and speeches given by both Israeli chanichim (participants) and North American.   After the mifgash (meeting), our chanichim stayed one more night on Kibbutz Ravid while the Israeli chanichim headed home.

Sunday (day 14)
Sunday, in the morning, MBI was right back at it. They went on the Majressa water hike, in stream near the sea of Galilee. The stream is located on a natural reserve and runs off into the Sea of Galilee. Afterwards they visited the city of Tzvat on the Kinneret where they spent time learning about the city's history as well as its connection to Judaism.  

Monday (day 15)
This morning MBI had the chance to visit Rosh Pina, a Moshava (a settlement established by the first Aliyah) established in 1882. At the time of the first Aliya, the wealthy and famous Rothschild family purchased this land among many other plots in Palestine to serve as a place for Jews to settle and to become agriculturally sustainable. The group visited the earliest portion of the establishment of Rosh Pina where they learned in the museum about the early life there and the hardships of those in the first wave of Aliyah.

After lunch in Rosh Pina they traveled to Tel Chai to learn with their Madrichim Masa (tour guides) about the early settlement and kvutza (socialist group living together in pre-State of Israel) there. On the land today is a very informative museum built to look as the settlement did before it was destroyed in the Battle of Tel Chai.  They learned about the battle and the legend and hero of Joseph Trumpeldor as well as the eventual destruction of the settlement. While the settlement was destroyed, Tel Chai to this day is a symbol for the ability of Jews to defend themselves.

Then they made their way over the Kfar Giladi, another early settlement strategically placed in the north. This is the sight where Trumpeldor eventually died after he was carried from Tel Chai. Here there is a wonderful look out point next to a cemetery and a monument for the eight people who lost their lives in the battle of Tel Chai. MBI had a tekes (ceremony) to honor them.

In the evening they headed for the kinneret and the city on the water there Tiberias. Tonight they had the opportunity to dance on a disco boat, for some reason the kids are surprisingly excited about this.  Personally I too was really excited about the disco boat when I attended MBI in 2007, however when I think about it today I cant help but chuckle about it.  Obviously they had a ton of fun!

Thank you everyone who gave me mid program feedback!  I really appreciate hearing what you all had to say.  Feel free to email or call me if you have any thoughts!

thanks,

Noah

Photos from the past couple of days!