Workshop arrives!

Hi everyone,
The 57th workshop group has arrived safe and sound in Israel!
They are presently checking into the hostel in Jerusalem, and shortly will be receiving their cellphones from Israel-phones and eating dinner.
Please note that during orientation they have fairly limited to no internet access, and during activities, cellphones will be turned off. Please don't be alarmed if your son/daughter/family member does not answer their phone on first try!
Of course if there are any concerns please feel free to contact staff.
Vered

Workshop 57 starts very soon...

I am writing to you from sunny and hot Israel where I will be until September 9th. As such I can be reached in case of emergency or urgent need to talk at 011-972-52-580-7124. That is the number for the cellphone I will have on and with me at all times. Of course if possible please keep in mind the time difference of 7 hours on the East Coast and 10 hours on the West Coast.

As such on the travel day I will not be at the airport in Newark but Jamie Beran, Kenan Jaffe, Gil Browdy and Hezi Nir(all members of the Mazkirut Artzit) will be at the airport to meet everyone and take them to their connecting flight to Israel. If you need to reach any of them on the travel day please call the Habonim Dror cellphone at 917-822-2330.

Please keep in mind that at least one member of the Mazkirut Artzit will be there to meet each flight and if for some reason they are not immediately there please wait for them. They will be wearing their movement shirts(blue with red strings). Also since the flights are on Continental you should be able to check your bags through to Israel which should make things easier in terms of making your connecting flight to Israel.

I will be at the airport on the other side at Ben-Gurion with Vered and their madrichim, Itamar, Ruth, Amir, and Lehi. Having sat with their madrichim(counselors) and Vered, their is definite sense of excitement and optimism about the group, the tochnit, and the potential of Workshop 57 and its 48 participants to have an amazing experience.

Talk to you all soon,
Michael

Meet the tzevet !

Meet the workshop/shnat tzevet for 2007-8, hard at work preparing peulot (and enjoying the great weather!)

Back row - Ilan (UK madrich), Itamar & Amir (Workshop). Front - Ruth & Lihi (Workshop), Nitzan (UK Madrich)

See you guys soon!

Workshop in less than a week

Welcome to Workshop 57 Blog!

Vered and I will be posting updates throughout the year about the weekly activities of the Workshoppers. It is our hope to foster an efficient method of communicating updates as well as create a common link with the Workshop families. The updates will be at least once a week with occasionally more frequent smaller updates. We hope the blog will be something to look forward to and a good source of information about the program!

Below is an update from Vered but I wanted to point out one one thing before I give her the floor. I will be leaving for Israel this coming Sunday afternoon. I will be in Israel until the 9th of September. As such the rest of the Mazkirut Artzit(Central Office) will be in the office and will be at Newark on the travel day. I will be giving a cell phone number that I can be reached on while I am in Israel. I also will be checking my email fairly regularly and will try to respond to emails in a timely manner. I am looking forward to being in Israel to be part of a smooth start of Workshop 57 and to greet the tired but excited faces of the Workshoppers.

As the departure for Workshop is just under a week away, we would like to take this opportunity to fill you in on a few more details about the next few weeks. Upon arrival at Ben-Gurion airport, the Workshoppers should look out for me(Vered) (in a chultza) in the baggage collection area (it’s immediately after passport control). No one should leave the baggage area until we have done a count-off!

From the airport, we will proceed to Jerusalem, to the Ariel Hotel which is situated just a few minutes walking distance from the Old City. Workshop will be based there until Sunday 2nd where we will be travelling to a seminar center on Kibbutz Hanaton in the lower Galillee. During this time Workshop will be undergoing general orientation to Workshop mainly based as peulot with your madrichim, and sichot (discussions) with your Workshop kvutsa, and Workshop shichva.

Following that there is a free weekend from Friday 7th to Sunday 9th in the morning. Workshoppers will be able to visit family and friends at this time. Anyone without a base will be able to stay at Ramat Efal - a seminar center not far from Tel Aviv, and where the Habonim Dror Olami offices are based!

Most importantly - when packing for workshop please keep in mind to pack for the first 9-10 days in such a way that we can place some of your luggage into storage during orientation/free weekend. i.e. pack anything you will need for the first few weeks in only 1 of your bags, so as to save the hassle of repacking and reorganizing before you settle onto Kibbutz Netiv HaLamed Hey!

On Sunday 9th the Boneh portion kicks off with orientation on Netivaleh followed immediately on the 10^th with Orientation tiyul in the Judean Desert and Dead Sea area. The tiyul will last for 2.5 days, until Erev Rosh Hashana on Wednesday the 12th. Please note that the Rosh Hashana holiday is chofesh (holiday) and all Workshoppers may use this time to visit family or friends. Alternatively, they are also welcome to stay on Netiv HaLamed Hey, and preparations will be made accordingly for them.

A small reminder about your Israel-phones mobile phones - If you are yet to fax your order in, please do so promptly! If you require another copy of the form, please feel free to be in touch.

Lastly, check the blog for regular updates throughout the year (just like this one!).

See you all very soon!

Vered & the Workshop tzevet in Israel