August 6th 2007

Saturday the MBIers had a relaxing shabbat at Nes Harim, with a welcomed sleep-in. In the afternoon they had chugim(special interest group activities) lead by the madrichim(counselors) and themselves. They continued with their traditional shabbat with musicale(open-mic) and havdallah. They then set-off with those went on free weekend to start their next adventure during the Machaneh Kayitz(Summer camp) time period. This is when the MBIers will get to spend time with a large group of youth their age from our sister youth movement in Israel, HaNoar HaOved ve HaLomed, at the campsite of Yaar(Forest) Levi.

The campsite which is located near the Golani Junction, due west of Tiberias, is a secluded site situated in the woods and gives a more outdoor/camp sense as they are large tents with beds where they will be sleeping out. On Sunday the Israelis arrived at lunch which takes place in the dining hall also at the private Yaar Levi campsite. In the afternoon they were divided into groups where they took part in different outdoor training games with the goal and outcome to bond the MBIers and the new Israeli's they met.

For the MBIers this a chance to meet some Israelis their age who in many ways are similar to them are from various cities throughout Israel and belong to HaNoar HaOved(our sister youth movement) as do the MBIers to Habonim Dror. Their day of meeting and learning about each other's stories of growing up in different societies and youth movement experience continued with some fun in the evening. They had a fun night of various games all using apples in different zany games that found their own way to use apples!

Today the MBIers had some peulot(activities) with their new Israeli friends and had a chance to flush out the similarities and differences between them in an organized activity. They also got to explore how Judaism impacts and is part of both the Israelis and North Americans lives. In the afternoon they had chugim(interest group activities) ran by both the MBIand HaNoar Haoved madrichim(counselors) with a range of intriguing fun activities to take part. Afterwards they had a diverse cultural exchange in a special musicale(open mic) with both groups showcasing their musical talents and their different musical and languauge backgrounds. Tonight they will have a Beit Cafe(Coffee shop) well they will have activities in a relaxed, candelit atmosphere where they will get a chance to know the Israelis on a more personal level.

Tomorrow morning they will have a last peula(activity) with their Israeli friends from HaNoar HaOved and then pack and clean up the campsite. They will get on the buses and head south for their big excursion to the South of Israel. They will go to the Dead Sea where not only will they to be at the lowest point on earth but get a chance to go into the Dead Sea and feel the wonder of having no choice but to float. In the evening they will be staying at Bedouin tents where they will be greeted with traditional Bedouin hospitality, a delicious meal, and a night to sleep out in the desert.

As MBI enters its final week I am sure some of you are curious about the final travel plans. I will be posting all the details shortly but in brief the flights land at JFK at 5:30am and from there everyone will be catching a connecting flight, bus, or pickup home. I will post all the details very soon.