Now they are officially leaders!

After soaking in the magical restful powers of the desert the MBIers closed out Shabbat with an emotional tekkes (ceremony) where they received their chultzah tnua (movement shirt). Today in the movement receiving a chultzah means you have reached the age of leadership and the time has come for you to choose how you want to be involved int he movement.

The ceremony took place at an amphitheater at Sde Boker overlooking the hills of the Negev. There were two representatives from each bus who spoke about what receiving the chultzah meant to them. Then 2 of the madrichot (counselors) spoke about leadership in the movement and their connection to the chultzah. Gil then spoke and everyone sang the movement's anthem, Od Lo Gamarnu. It was an exciting and emotional experience for all. You never forget the moment when you receive your first chultzah. Following the ceremony the MBIers had a proper medura (bonfire) with skits and singing into the night.

On Sunday Morning the group headed out to explore more of the wonderous desert. They went on a hike in Ein Avdat, which goes through the Avdat ruins. Avdat is an ancient desert city, which was inhabited by a Nabbatean tribe roughly 2,500 years ago. The city was a major stop on the trade routes, and the ruins exist there until today. Today the hiking trail takes you through the canyon which is a really cool experience to be so low and surrounded by the mountains.

Upon retuning to Sde Boker the group walked over the grave of David Ben Gurion which is located on the kibbutz. Here they learned about his contribution to the founding of the State of Israel and his vision for using the expansive and empty desert for settlement for the Jewish people.

After an exciting weekend the group said goodbye and headed off for "kvutzah time" The next few days they will be split up by their small bus group with just their own madrichim. This is going to be used a time to rest a bit and to bond with each other. Part of the reason to have buses and kvutzot is to foster deep relationships and to give the summer a machaneh feel even though they are traveling so much. These 3 days are meant to give the space for this to happen. Each bus will be on a different kibbutz in the north and will be participating in a variety of group bonding and fun activities on and off the kibbutz.