Habo History and the beginning of Kaveret

Hello again to everyone out there!

So when i left you guys last, the workshoppers were just about to head out of the confines of kibbutz Ein dor, and into the wild world of Israeli society. And there's no better place to start than by speaking with people from Habonim Dror throughout the decades! The group headed out last Sunday to their first stop - the historic Kinneret courtyard and cemetary. Here, the group learnt all about the pioneers of the second and third aliyot, and examined the place and personalities that laid the foundations stones of what was to be, among other things, the kibbutz movement, bituach leumi (national medical insurance), Hadavar (the first circulated modern newspaper in Israel), and the histadrut (the national labour union). Needless to say, it was an inspiring visit.

The group then headed to the beautiful surrounds of Karei Deshe, a picturesque youth hostel situated on the northern shore of the kinneret.

The second day of the History of Habonim seminar was spent visiting the older and earliest Habonim Dror kibbutzim. The group travelled to kibbutz Kfar Hanassi, followed by kibbutz Kfar Blum, the location of the first 13 workshop programs! In the afternoon, the group travelled to kibbutz Mevo Chama, and heard the story of an Australian garin that was the first from Habonim to settle to a kibbutz in the Golan heights. It was a really eye-opening day for the workshoppers, hearing the stories of aliya from the movement and also the privatisation process on the kibbutzim.

The third day of the seminar started with a visit to kibbutz Bet Haemek to speak with Judy and Gary Benet, and their experience as members of Garin Sha'al, the first commune based in a city (Karmiel). In the afternoon, the workshoppers headed to the first of the modern urban kvutsot, kvutsat Yovel, and also headed out to kibbutz Ravid, which was the last kibbutz that absorbed a Garin to agricultural kibbutz from HDNA. The garin unfortunately fell apart, but fortunately today the kibbutz has been revived by members of Hanoar Haoved, and the kibbutz has close to 100 members, and an active seminar centre.

On the third day of the seminar, the group started in the morning at Kibbutz Eshbal, an active Hanoar Haoved kibbutz, made up of smaller kvutsot. The kibbutz also has a horse farm, and a boarding school for juvenile youth, who often have no other options for education and have been removed from other schools in Israel. In the afternoon, the workshoppers visited Kvutsat Ogen, an urban commune of Habonim olim in Hadera, which includes members of the national mazkirut from a few years ago.

On the final morning of the seminar, the group travelled to Poleg, just outside of Netanya, and visited with kvutsat Aseef, the newest commune of Habonim Dror olim in Israel. Made up primarily of bogrim from the north american movement, Aseef are heavily involved in the day to day running of the movement in Israel.
The seminar was an inspiring and intensive look at the past, present, and perceived future of the movement, and gave the workshoppers a great forum to hear some of the great stories of Habonim Dror members from the past 60 years.

The group then split up for the free weekend, and then joined together again for the preparation seminar for Kaveret. The past few days have seen some deep discussion about theoretical concepts, like what a 'messima' is, what it means to be an educator, and the current state of the Israeli education system, and also some practical concepts, like the all important split up of rooms and tzevetim for messima.

The groups will be heading to their destinations and new houses tomorrow, so it will be an exciting day for all involved! I will send the postal addresses for the houses to shani, and we will forward them to all of you in the coming week.

I wish all of you a good week, and for those coming to Israel for the chofesh period, a safe and succesful journey.

until next time,

Leon.