Day 2- Orientation continues

MBI orientation continues with a peulah (activity) this morning in which they discussed how MBI is similar and different than the machanot (camps) they are used to. They discussed traditions they want to bring from machaneh to MBI even though the schedule and pace are very different. One of the ideas they came up with will give the chanichim (participants) a bit of responsibility and input into activities that they do as a kvutzah (small group) and bus. They will volunteer to be involved in va'adot (committees). At machaneh some of the va'adot that are created are kupa (people in charge of deciding how to spend money) and ones that are in charge of running peulot.

Another standard machaneh tradition which will hopefully bring some stability and familiarity to MBI is Hitkansut Boker. This ritual at machaneh happens in the morning and the evening. It is a gathering of everyone at machaneh, where they take "roll call" of all the age groups and then sing songs to raise and lower the flags. Gil would like this to also be an MBI tradition as a way for the whole group to start the day together.

In the afternoon the group ventured out to a near by town called Tel Chai. Tel Chai is a town in northern Israel which is a site of a battle in 1920 against an Arab attack. Amongst the Jewish soldiers was a one-armed man named Joseph Trumpeldor who is most well known for being a zionist hero and for his saying, "It is sweet and honorable to die for one's country."

While in Tel Chai the MBIers enjoyed some historical skits performed by the madrichim (counselors) presenting the story of Tel Chai and Trumpeldor. They met a girl who lives in the village and told them what life was like in Palestine under the British Mandate, they discussed military strategy and reasons to stage a revolt with the hero of the story, Joseph Trumpeldor, and witnessed a re-enactment of the battle of Tel Chai.

After enjoying lunch in the Tel Chai youth hostel and taking in the beautiful views of the Northern Galilee, the chanichim returned to Pkiin and split up into kvutzot to talk about kupa. Part of this peulah was to discuss the point of kupa and how they want it to be a tool for bonding and setting a tone of equality amongst each other for the summer.

After dinner, the smaller kvutzot will have an activity with their madrichim in order to get to know each other better and forge the bonds we hope will form into beautiful long lasting friendships.

After 2 packed days I am sure everyone is looking forward to Shabbat which will look like a machaneh Shabbat, which will also provide a sense of familiarity to this new experience. This will also give everyone an opportunity to meet new people, have some time with their home machaneh friends and time to rest.