Well, it's been six days since I've arrived here in Israel. At the airport, we met our madrichim (definition: counselors), Phia and Idany. Phia, who I know very well, as she was my kvutza's madricha (definition: singular, feminine version of madrichim) at Machaneh Tavor for three summers, has been involved with Habonim Dror for many, many years. Idany is our madrich (definition: singular, masculine version of madrichim) and has been involved with Habonim Dror's sister movement, Hanoar Ha'Oved for a number of years, too.
Our orientation seminar was held at Kibbutz Ravid located in Northern Israel and overlooking the Kinnert. The seminar lasted four days, ending Sunday. Over those couple of days we had many peulot (definition: educational activities/discussions) as well as other fun programming. Our first peulah (definition: singular of peulot) involved a discussion revolving around Israel and why or why not we think that Workshop should be located here. Other peulot we have participated in so far include consumerism, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, ownership, and a few more. The peulah on the conflict was very emotional for me, but I came out of it feeling that most of my kvutza was coming from similar directions no matter how connected they were to Israel.
Another major part of Workshop is communal decision making. As of now we have had two asephot (definition: meetings) revolving around such decisions. Our first resolve was determining who we would be rooming with. After four hours and several different methods of approach, we finally made our rooming arrangements. However, if the rooms don't seem to work out, then we will have another asepha to discuss how to fix any issues. But as of right now everything is going very well! Last night we had an intense discussion about kupah (definition: (literal) cash box; (how we use it) communal pool of money which is used for both individual wants/needs as well as the group's). We decided that we wanted the next nine months to be on "full kupah", meaning when we want or need something we only use kupah money and do not use other personal money. Kupah utilizes socialistic ideals meant to "even the playing field." Included in the kupah discussion was the talk of who would be the gizbarim (definition: treasurers). After much deliberation we came to a consensus, and I, along with four other members of my kvutza, will be the gizbarim.
We are now living on Kibbutz Ein Dor, which is also in the North and is about 25 minutes from Kibbutz Ravid. Ein Dor is considered a more privatized kibbutz, meaning that while people may have their own money, they have the option to work on the kibbutz and contribute their earnings to it.
Upon arrival to Ein Dor, we were greeted by our four mechanichim (definition: educators). So far, they have ran peulot for us (including a couple of the ones I mentioned earlier), showed us around the kibbutz, and helped us adjust to fending for our own.
Har (definition: mountain) Tavor, for which Machaneh Tavor is named, is visible from the kibbutz, and the kvutza will be hiking it on Thursday morning!
In terms of meals, our kvutza makes breakfast every morning for ourselves, but goes to the chadar ohel (definition: dining hall) for lunch and dinner. The food is pretty good, too! As a vegetarian, I have been enjoying quite a few bourekas (definition: filo dough stuffed with different vegetables, usually they include potatoes).
There is a lot planned for the coming weeks, and I'm very excited to learn both through texts and discussions as well as through laboring.
L'hitraot! (Definition: See you later!)
Also, I am attaching the link to the Gaza Youth Manifesto, which we read during the talk about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and it really impacted me. Warning! Does contain strong language!
http://gazaybo.wordpress.com/manifesto-0-1/
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