Teva-Matzpen bonding day

This just in: Machon and Boneh get together for fun, Jewish creativity and bonding! Last Friday, the Boneh kvutzot drove down to Jerusalem for a Teva-Matzpen shichva bonding day. The day started off with presentations by each one of our three Shnat kvutzot about their lives, including a video by Boneh Bet, a song by Boneh Aleph, and a slideshow about life on the Machon. Then the shichva was split into three mixed groups for an open discussion about their different experiences on Boneh and Machon, how each resembles or differs from their expectations before Shnat, and how they feel that the experience is affecting them and their kvutza. It was fascinating to listen in on some of the discussions and hear how how different each kvutza's experience is and how the Shnatties have a lot to offer each other.

Next up was a haramat cosit or toast ceremony in honor of the upcoming Pesach holiday. Again each of the kvutzot was asked to prepare a short activity or reading on one of the themes of Pesach. Rapha from Boneh Bet led a meaningful guided meditation, Boneh Aleph led a short activity writing messages on eggs, and Nathan from Machon read a thought-provoking piece about refugees in Israel today and questions of modern freedom and slavery. The kvutza sang some Pesach and freedom-related songs accompanied by Jesse from Machon on guitar and we all drank a small glass of wine and toasted L'chaim together.

The final part of the day was a very small tiyul to a spring outside Jerusalem called Lifta. This spring and village are actually ancient, mentioned in the Bible and Talmud but today they sit just outside the main entrance to Jerusalem from Highway 1. The group walked together to the spring where we enjoyed delicious and unique sandwiches, the beautiful Jerusalem hills and some fresh air, but mainly just the chance to relax and catch up with their friends from the different programs and spend time together. After lunch we headed back up the hill and headed out to Machon, Boneh or different travel destinations for Shabbat. All in all, a wonderful day which got everyone excited for the upcoming seminars that Machon and Boneh will go through together after the Pesach chofesh.