Habo History and the beginning of Kaveret

Hello again to everyone out there!

So when i left you guys last, the shnatties were just about to head out of the confines of kibbutz Ein dor, and into the wild world of Israeli society. And there's no better place to start than by speaking with people from Habonim Dror throughout the decades! The group headed out last Sunday to their first stop of the history of Habonim seminar - the historic Kinneret courtyard and cemetary. Here, the group learnt all about the pioneers of the second and third aliyot, and examined the place and personalities that laid the foundations stones of what was to become, among other things, the kibbutz movement, bituach leumi (national medical insurance), Hadavar (the first circulated modern newspaper in Israel), and the histadrut (the national labour union). Needless to say, it was an inspiring visit.

The group then headed to the beautiful surrounds of Peki'in, a picturesque youth hostel situated just outside of the northern Druze village of the same name.

The second day of the History of Habonim seminar was spent visiting the older and earliest Habonim Dror kibbutzim. The group travelled to kibbutz Ein Gev and spoke with legendary kibbutz movement member and historian, Muki Tzur, followed by kibbutz Kfar Hanassi. In the afternoon, the group travelled to Kibbutz Metzuba and Kibbutz Bet Haemek. It was a really eye-opening day for the shnatties, hearing the stories of aliya from the movement and also the privatisation process on the kibbutzim.

The third day of the seminar started with a visit to kibbutz Ammiad, followed by a visit to the last traditional kibbutz which welcomed a garin of aliya from the British movement, kibbutz Tuval. In the afternoon, the shnatties headed to Kibbutz Eshbal, an active Hanoar Haoved kibbutz, made up of smaller kvutsot. The kibbutz also has a horse farm, and a boarding school for juvenile youth, who often have no other options for education and have been removed from other schools in Israel.

The following morning, the shnatties travelled to the first of the modern urban communes of Habonim Dror olim, kvutsat Yovel. Made up of Habonim bogrim from North America, Australia, and the UK, Yovel was founded 11 years ago, and is now part of an urban kibbutz in Migdal Haemek and Upper Nazareth. In the afternoon, the shnatties travelled to Bet Shemesh, and met with members of kibbutz Tamuz, an adult urban commune which deals directly with social action and interaction with the wider Bet shemesh society

On the final morning of the seminar, the group travelled to Hadera, and visited with kvutsat Ogen, one of the newer communes of Habonim Dror olim in Israel. Made up of bogrim from north american, Australia, and Mexico, the members of Ogen are heavily involved in the day to day running of the movement in Israel.
The seminar was an inspiring and intensive look at the past, present, and perceived future of the movement, and gave the shnatties a great forum to hear some of the great stories of Habonim Dror members from the past 60 years.

The group then split up for the free weekend, and then joined together again for the preparation seminar for Kaveret. The past few days have seen some deep discussion about theoretical concepts, like what a 'messima' is, what it means to be an educator, and the current state of the Israeli education system, and also some practical concepts, like the all important split up of rooms and tzevetim for messima.

The groups will be heading to their new house in Karmiel tomorrow, so it will be an exciting day for all involved! I will send the postal address for the house to Hannah, and we will forward them to all of you in the coming week.

I wish all of you a good week, and for those coming to Israel for the chofesh period, a safe and succesful journey.

until next time,

Leon.