Machaneh Tnua Achot

After a restful 3 days the MBIers were ready to reunite and to meet their Israeli peers from Hanoar Haoved veHalomed (the working and studying youth) at Machaneh Tnua Achot (sister youth movement camp). Teens from kenim (local branches) from all over the country flocked to Yaar Lavi camp site for a fun and challenging weekend.

On Thursday the MBI groups were matched up with kenim and each small group went on a short hike near the camp site. This was a great way to create informal but structured bonding time right off the bat. During the hike they took several stop where they played a variety of name games and ice breakers. During the hike they took a break to make their own traditional Israeli "hikers" breakfast of pita, salad and spreads.

After returning to the camp site each small group gathered for their first peulah (educational activity). This was another "get to know you" activity. Each chanich (camper) got a booklet entitled "my ken". They filled out the book drawing pictures and writing descriptions of their kenim and machanot (camps). This was an opportunity to start to learn about the differences and similarities between the two movements and to get an idea of the cultures that each of the chanichim are coming from. In the evening each small group had a fun activity planned and run by their madrichim.

Friday was an intensive but good and thought provoking day. They had several peulot throughout the day which challenged them and gave them new perspectives and ideas about topics they have already learned about. They had a peulah where they discussed their own Jewish identity and the connection between Judaism and Zionism. This was an eye opening experience for both the MBIers and the Israelis. Later they had a peulah about tzedek (justice) and tzedaka (charity). Here they discussed the differences and the impact that both forms of action have on the world, and how to incorporate these ideas into their lives. They also had a peulah about anti semitism and how the rest of the world views Israel using the recent Gaza flotilla raid as an example for the discussion.

Earlier in the day in order to break up the peulot they also had creative chugim (interest groups). There were a variety of chugim for the chanichim to participate in such as a "jam session" where people brought several instruments and played music, rikud where they taught each other dances, and making fimo (a kind of soft clay). This was an opportunity for them to meet new kids from other groups and to bond over their creative interests and talents.

In preparation for Shabbat in the afternoon some of the MBIers exlained Habonim Shabbat traditions including kabbalat Shabbat, havdallah and musicale. This was to make sure the Israelis understood what was happening when the MBIers hosted kabbalat Shabbat and to invite the Israelis to prepare musicale acts for the traditional Saturday night musicale. After dinner the camp participated in something called a salatron which is a crazy fun and ruach (spirit) filled competition. They have silly tasks such as eating a watermelon without using your hands, having an improv dance competition and who has the most team spirit. The energy from the activity carried them into a rousing rikud session. A good time was had by all.

On Saturday everyone enjoyed a sleep in followed by Hitkansut Boker (morning gathering). Here they had a "roll call" and sang the camp song before starting the day's activities. First they had a peulah about tikkun olam (repairing the world). This was an interesting discussion because each movement actualizes this concept in different ways and each chanich has different ideas depending on what is available to them in their home communities. In general the peulah was a good motivator for everyone to think about what they can be doing to help the world. Then they had chugim retzinim (serious chugim) which were led by the madrichim on a variety of topics.

Saturday was a very hot day so after lunch an impromtu water fight broke out which helped break the heat. Then in the afternoon they had mishpachot where the MBIers had a chance to check in with their home machaneh friends. Following mishpachot everyone participated in an activity about youth movements. This peulah was in the method of a museum where there were articles and pictures posted around a room and everypne waled around at their own pace taking it in. The articles covered topics such as the history of the youth movement in Europe, the Warsaw Ghetto uprising and their involvement in building kibbutzim. This was a good follow up to the discussions they had in the Ghetto Fighters Museum. After each group had an opportunity to be in the "museum" they all gathered to watch a movie about how Hanoar Haoved VeHalomed reacted when the war broke out in 2006. Hanoar Haoved, spent the summer running camps in the south of Israel and going into bomb shelters and running activities for kids.

In the evening a few of the MBIers hosted havdallah and musicale for the machaneh in what was a very nice end to the weekend.