Chaggim to the Max on Shnat

Dear parents and fans of Shnat 2009-10,

So the past couple of weeks has been a blur of activity, learning, and growth for the Shnatties. The shnatties have been on Ein Dor for three weeks now, and have become lovable neighbors of the community. Their first week was an orientation and 'getting to know' the different elements of the Boneh program - from hebrew lessons to work in anafim on the kibbutz, to the learning structure and their partners - the North American Habonim workshoppers (Shnat participants). They went through many peulot and sichot, and committed to making the most of their time as a part of the kibbutz community. The week was rounded out with a siyur (trip) to discover the region of Israel that they are in - they had a guided tour of the Circassian village of Kfar Kama, which lies just north of Ein Dor, and heard stories and tales of Circassian life in Israel. The Circassians are a tiny percentage of the population (about 3,000 in total) of Israel, but have a highly unique culture and way of life. Needless to say, it was a fascinating tour!
The shnatties then went to Shibli, a neighbouring Bedouin village that sits at the foot of Mt Tavor, and were treated to a feast of a meal for lunch, including falafel, hummous, tahina, more pita than we knew what to do with, and a wonderful atmosphere.
The group also ventured to a lookout over Afula, and received an explanation of the history and layout of the city, and the Jezre'el valley in Israel in general.

The shnatties then had the pleasure of feeling their first chag in Israel - Rosh Hashana. Many left kibbutz for family, or simply the sense of adventure, while those who stayed on kibbutz were welcomed to the big community feast as new participants in one of the major highlights of communal kibbutz life - chaggim.

The first week of Boneh proper marked the beginning of classes for the shnat group. The first few weeks have seen them examine the basis of 'Israeliness' and the general day-to-day lives of Israelis in the Israeli Society course, they have examined the bible period in Jewish history, as well as symbols and prayer in their Cultural Judaism course. The shnatties have also learnt some of the origins of Socialist Zionism through Marx, Hess, Syrkin and Pinsker, as well as the beginnings of the Jewish state in Israeli History. The shnatties also started to work in various anafim (branches) of work around the kibbutz. These include:

- Cheese making (there is an established cheese making facility on Ein Dor, where they use their own milk from their cowshed)
- Cheder Ochel/Kitchen (preparation of food and maintaining the dining room area)
- Horses (the kibbutz has a horse farm which involved grooming and feeding the horses)
- Garden (maintenance of the gardens and public areas of the kibbutz)
- Laundry (washing and folding the clothes of the kibbutzniks)
- Childrens' Homes (There are preschool homes for children aged 2,3, and 4 on the kibbutz, where the shnatties are involved in feeding and educating the youngest in the kibbutz community)
- Factory (the factory on kibbutz develops wooden spools for telecommunication wires)
- Doll maker (there is a professional doll maker on kibbutz where the shnatties help to create toys for the youngsters!).

They also had a special guest come to speak to them during the first full week of programming - Reut from Machon L'Chaggim (Institute for Jewish festivals). Machon L'Chaggim is a library and learning centre based at Kibbutz Bet Hashita which invests in learning workshops to understand Jewish expression on kibbutz.

Last week, the shnatties returned from Yom Kippur for another action-packed week on Boneh. The guest speaker for the week was Mark Rosenstein, who runs an organisation called Makom B'Galil near Karmiel. He came to speak about the general Jewish history during the temple period in Judaism, but also specifically about the evolution of the Talmud, and it's influence in the shaping of Judaism during that period.
The project for the week was to build a sukkah! The shnatties enthusiastically hammered and decorated away, and made their own sukkah for chag hasukkot. Those who stayed on kibbutz were also involved in the 'Sukkot show' on Ein Dor, and had the chance to see their north american friends dance live on stage!

Tomorrow the group will be heading on to Yam le Yam (Sea to Sea). A 4 day tiyul that starts from the Meditarranean sea, and goes through some of the most beautiful and picturesque areas of Israel, including Har Meron, and we finish up at the Kinneret for a well earned dip in the sea! After that the group will be heading back to kibbutz, or out to see relatives/friends for the weekend.

I would like to wish everyone a chag sameach, and all the best for the week to come.

Until next time,

Leon.