June began with a Teva-Matzpen shichva weekend together on Ein Dor.  Since both the Boneh and Machon groups had been through a busy couple of weeks, the Shnat madrichim planned a pretty relaxed weekend with a focus on art and creativity, including a zany Kabalat Shabbat play linking together the music of the Village People and the parashat hashavua (weekly Torah portion), workshops in dance, visual arts and slam poetry, peer-led intellectual programs and plenty of time for friends to relax and catch up with friends from the other program:

Friends from OZ and NZ hanging out

Check out some of the Shnat madrichim rehearsing a musical number for their play:

The next week on Boneh dealt with youth movements, as mentioned in the previous post, and culminated in a visit to the Palmach Museum in Tel Aviv, a state-of-the-art museum which tells the fascinating story of the military force which grew out of the Zionist youth movements and helped lead Israel to its independence.  That day some chanichim also visited the mesimot they will be taking on once Kaveret begins in Rishon Letzion and Holon, while others explored the hip south Tel Aviv neighborhood of Florentin, taking in the copious graffiti/street art of the neighborhood and then enjoying some free time there.


The last week of Boneh was full of reflection and evaluation. Over the course of Boneh, the chanichim have learned about Jewish history from ancient Judea, through the spread of Christianity and Islam, through the advent of the Enlightenment and modernity, and finally to modern Zionism and contemporary communities and issues. They have been exposed a diverse Israeli population: Ashkenazim, Mizrahim (Jews from Islamic countries), Russians, non-Jewish Arabs, settler and ultra-orthodox and secular and soldier; each with a history and a narrative. They have discussed many facets of education and leadership, not just as theory, but in their own lives in the movement, at school, and with their friends and family. Part of the goal of “Sikkum Week” was to rehash these many components of Boneh and tie them all together.

The first evening featured a performance by the chanichim in Power Course on Drama; everyone gathered together to see their play about capitalism. It would not have been complete, however, without a delectable dessert – vegan masala brownies and caramel corn – provided by none other than the Power Course on Cooking.

The next morning, the chanichim traveled to a Druze village on Mt. Carmel. After exploring the shuk and enjoying a very generous meal at a Druze restaurant, they heard a presentation by the proprietor about the Druze community and its relationship with the state. Traditionally, the Druze seek no state of their own, but are loyal to whoever rules the land; the very welcoming host gave the chanichim insight of how this plays out in Israel, neighboring Syria, and elsewhere, and then opened up the floor for a heated and interesting question period.

A few peulot and a barbeque later, the chanichim had some time to reflect on their experience on Boneh both as individuals and with their kvutzot, including collecting oral and written feedback to help us strengthen Boneh for future machzorim.

Finally, a number of parents and family members joined for the chanichim's tekes (ceremony) to celebrate and commemorate their time on Boneh. It was great for the tzevet and the kids to get to meet so many families and conclude on such a high note.  Several chanichim from each kvutzah spoke, and the Boneh Rakazim performed a song.  The Shnatties had also prepared an array of videos, skits, and songs which recounted their stories from Boneh in an artistic and very impressive manner.  Then there was a final lunch in the chadar ochel together with some of the families, Ein Dor's famous burger Thursday lunch, and then it was goodbyes all around and off to summer chofesh.