Boneh update: northern tiyul, modern Israel, sister chava seminar, and more

Hello from Ein Dor and happy Jerusalem Day!  The last couple weeks of classes here have been spent learning about the history of the modern state of Israel and the Arab- and Palestinian-Israeli conflicts. The chanichim began the module by learning about the United Nations Partition Plan, the establishment of the state in 1948, and the wars that surrounded those events. Then, they moved on to consider the massive demographic shifts that occurred in connection with those wars regarding Jewish and Palestinian refugees.

The module continued with the Six-Day War, particularly the terrifying march to war as well as examining its euphoric aftermath. The chanichim discussed how that war affected the way that Israelis and, indeed, world Jewry thought of themselves and of their state. They also considered the role of the developing Palestinian leadership in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

The week rounded out with ruminations on the last several decades. The chanichim looked at the era of Yitzhak Rabin and the peace process, of Israel and Palestine on the edge of disentanglement and cooperation. Finally, they examined the last decade or so of seemingly directionless conflict, including the reactions of the Israeli and Palestinian public towards the violence and perceived stagnation.

In connection with the module, Neil Harris – HDUK boger, co-founder of Kibbutz Tuval, activist and educator – came to help us explore the relationship between the state and four different groups: Jewish citizens of Israel living within the Green Line, Arab citizens of Israel living within the Green Line, Jewish citizens of Israel living in the West Bank and Gaza territory, and Arabs living in the West Bank and Gaza.

The chanichim also watched a couple of movies to help expand on their discussions of the Arab- and Palestinian-Israeli conflicts. Waltz With Bashir (2009) was useful in trying to unravel the very complex histories and issues in Lebanon, and the documentary Promises (2001) gave them a look at Jerusalem youth and how they are affected by the twin prospects of violence and peace in their society.

 Meanwhile, a few weeks ago we took a break from the routine of classes and headed north into the Golan Heights for a four-day northern tiyul.  The group camped at Yehudiya National Park and explored the Golan's strategic and historic significance, as well as its stunning natural landscapes and plentiful water resources. As is the nature of tiyulim, they also bonded as a group and spent time relaxing together, both around beautiful natural waterfalls and back at the campsite.   A tzevet of chanichim who chose to be involved in the planning and implementation of the tiyul prepared food and activities as well as taking a leadership role in each day of hiking.  

Finally, this past weekend the group went through the Sister Chava Seminar - a meeting with a kvutza of Israelis their age who are on Shnat with our Israeli sister youth movement, Hanoar Haoved Vehalomed.  The seminar dealt with perspectives on Zionism and Jewish identity, looking at the similarities and different experiences of Jews in Israel and abroad, as well as the common vision the two movements share.  Beyond the ideology the groups also had time to hang out together and just talk, and a lot of connections were formed which we hope will continue.  

Tomorrow morning the group sets out bright and early for the four-day Jerusalem Seminar, exploring a panoply of issues in Israeli society for which Jerusalem is a microcosm.  They will be meeting speakers religious and secular, Jewish and Arab, leftist and West Bank settlement-dwelling.  It promises to be a seriously provocative experience; we'll tell you all about it in the next blog post here!

National holidays, May Day and more

It has now been a couple of weeks since the Shnatties have returned from Pesach Chofesh, and they have had quite an eventful time since then. Upon returning from their break they started an educational module called Chalutziut, during which they explored the ideas of early Socialist Zionist thinkers and the way this impacted the creation of the state. They also looked at the structures and values behind kibbutzim and learned about the Histadrut (General Labor Federation) and the many political factions which influenced the Yishuv (pre-state Jewish community in Palestine) in its early days. 

The chanichim also signed up for the next set of Power Courses, the special interest classes they will be taking for the rest of Boneh. The three options they had to choose from were: The Art of Cooking (where the chanichim will be learning how to make exciting new dishes),Techniques in Acting (where they will be rehearsing and putting on a theatrical performance), and The Real Price of Products (where they will be discussing how consumer goods are made today and how this effects society at large).  The chanichim seemed very excited about all three options and had their first Power Course yesterday!

There have also been quite a few national holidays over the last few weeks. The first of these days was Yom Hashoa (Holocaust Memorial day) during which the chanichim attended the local tekkes (ceremony) on Kibbutz Ein Dor and a national tekkes at Kibbutz Lochme Ha’getaot (Ghetto Fighters kibbutz).  On Lochmei prior to the national tekes, the North American and Dutch Shnatties from Habonim led a meaningful commemoration for all the HD members who were present based on their experiences on the Journey to Poland from which they recently returned, and this gave our Shnatties a lot of food for thought.

They also had a couple of peulot that day about the three “Yomim” that fall in a two week span (Yom Hashoa, Yom Hazikaron, and Yom Ha’atzmaut). During Yom Hazikaron, the Shnatties went to Haifa and participated in the 'Zer Lanofel' operation led by our sister youth movement Hanoar Haoved, in which youth movement members hand out bouquets to the bereaved families which come to visit military cemetaries.  Haifa has had over 1,700 fallen soldiers since the founding of the State and the cemetery was full of people and a very solemn atmosphere; it was very meaningful to be there and observe the atmosphere, as well as taking part in the commemoration.  After the official state ceremony the group had a short peula and read about a member of another Israeli socialist-Zionist youth movement (Hamachanot Haolim) from Haifa who was killed in the Second Lebanon War, as well as marking ANZAC Day which fell on the very same day.  They then were released for their free day for Yom Ha’atzmaut. and many of them travelled to fun city celebrations in Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem.

Following Yom Ha’atzmaut, the Shnatties all went to May Day seminar, which is a seminar with all the Habonim Dror English-speaking Shnat groups. The seminar dealt with the place of labor in today’s society and how we relate to work, solidarity, exploitation, and much more.   The groups from different countries bonded extremely well and the discussions were fruitful and interesting, even when there were disagreements.  The seminar also dealt with question of why HD participates in the May Day rally in Tel Aviv, which we then attended this past Tuesday.  The different countries' Shnat groups met up once again on Tuesday for the rally, enjoying the festive atmosphere, the social message and the concert by Israeli pop star Moshe Peretz!   You can see one of the hits he performed here.

This past week, the chanichim have started a module called Dilemmas in Nation Building, where they explore the different questions and challenges that the creators of the state faced, such as the place of religion, how to absorb refugees, and how to create a unified military. They also went on a siyur today in Haifa, examining the relationship between Jews and Arabs in Haifa during the British Mandate period as a microcosm for the Jewish-Arab relationship across the country, examining the roots of the conflict we are still facing today.

Next week the Shnatties are going on a gorgeous tiyul in the Golan Heights. There is a Tzevet Tiyul chosen by the group responsible for planning many aspects of the trip, including evening programs and hiking routes.  We will be sure to take lots of pictures and update you soon!