Hi everyone,
To start off backwards, this afternoon the workshoppers have been informed that their Kaveret locations will be Carmiel and Acco. It has not yet been determined which kvutsa will be in each of the locations – but this should be finalized over the next month and we will inform the workshoppers as soon as it has been.
Last week I neglected to mention that the guest speakers were from the Parents Circle - Families Forum (www.theparentscircle.com). The Parents Circle is a grassroots forum of bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families which meets and promotes reconciliation. The talk was fascinating and very touching to hear personal stories of parents who have lost their children.
On Wednesday, the excursion was to the Museum of the First Aliya in Zichron Yaacov. The museum has recently been renovated and has many short videos throughout, describing the hardships of a family who left Rumania to fulfill their Zionist Dream in the 1880's. It was a very interesting tour and complimented the seminars nicely. We were also lucky to be in Zichron, which for a few days turned into the rainiest place in Israel, and we were witness to the most immense downpour!
The seminars looked at different stories of the 2nd and 3rd Aliya, and events which were taking place in Israel at the time, such as the birth of kibbutzim and the foundations of the State of Israel; together with the story of the beginning of the Youth Movements worldwide – and specifically Habonim in the UK and North America.
Over Friday and Saturday, the first Pre-Poland Journey Preparation Seminar took place. The seminar was an introductory one, and highlights include the "Shteitel" Night on Friday, where everyone was given a character for the shteitel wedding, and we watched Fiddler on the Roof while eating some traditional Kugel. Also, the Family Tree Activity, in which many workshoppers ended up on the phone with their parents finding out about their family history, and sharing the most interesting thing that they discovered from their past (and from all accounts there were some very surprising things to be found!).
This weeks seminar theme is Partnership looking specifically at the British Mandate Period in Palestine, leading up to the Establishment of the State of Israel. On Sunday the guest speakers were Rabbi's for Human Rights (http://www.rhr.israel.net/) who are a fascinating group of Rabbi's who consider themselves to be the rabbinical voice of conscious in Israel, focusing on human rights from a Jewish standpoint. Hadracha (leadership) looked at Troublesome chanichim and punishment (one kvutsa); and Counselling and Duty of Care (the other kvutsa). The excursion on Thursday is to both the Illegal Immigrants Camp in Atlit, and the Hall of Independence in Tel Aviv. This weekend is a free weekend.