Days 4 and 5: Shabbat and Visiting the Old City

The chanichimot started their Saturday with a peula (activity) and sicha (discussion) about kupa, and how they want to shape their shared fund of money this summer. Two people from each kvutza signed up to be gizbarimot (treasurers) and take point on helping to manage the kupa. At the beginning of each week, the gizbarimot will meet with the madrichimot and talk about how and when to use the kupa that week. The chanichimot discussed ways that experiencing kupa can build and strengthen their relationships, and thought about practical ways the group will deal with any kupa challenges that may arise.

Later, the chanichimot spent some time at the pool before breaking into different chuggim (special interest groups). Some of the chuggim included making hummus, learning Hebrew, discussing body image, and learning about issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. After the chuggim, everyone had a peula about Jewish identity to prepare for Sunday's siyur (day trip) to the Old City. 

Other silly parts of Saturday included playing this game, as seen in the pictures below. When I asked one of the madrichimot what this game was, they said it was a modified version of the classic game often played at bnei/bnot mitzvah, Coke and Pepsi!

The chanichimot wrapped up their first Shabbat with Havdallah. This week, it was lead by Machaneh Miriam! After Havdallah, the group had a very energized musicale/medura. This is a chance for individuals or groups to go up to the front of the room and sing songs, recite poems, do a dance, or perform a comedy act/skit for everyone! Many laughs were had!

On Sunday, the group visited the Old City. They started off the morning visiting the Kotel (Western Wall), where they wrote notes and wishes and placed them between the stones. After lunch, the chanichimot wrapped up their time in the Old City with a sikkum (summary) of the day, in addition to a discussion about Judaism.To build upon yesterday's peula about Jewish identity, the chanichimot talked about Judaism as a religion, ethnicity, and a people, and the connection between these three things. Some of the questions they asked and discussed include: How do these connect to my own Jewish identity? Do I feel responsible towards them in my own life? How do I want to see Habonim Dror connect and take responsibility for Judaism today? They all had very interesting things to say, and they'll be continuing to explore these questions and topics throughout MBI.

Later in the evening, the group drove up north to Eshbal. After eating dinner and exploring the site they'll be at for the next couple of nights, they learned about orienteering to prepare for tomorrow's hike, which they will help guide themselves! They learned how to read topographical maps and studied where they will set out for tomorrow. Stay tuned!