November has been a busy month for Shnat. October finished on a high - The shnatties had two weekends of seminar - the first with Habonim Dror movement members all over the world, to discuss and commemorate Yitzhak Rabin. The seminar dealt with the threats today to democracy, peace and zionism in Israeli society today.
The second seminar was the first of three 'Keshet' seminars - seminars that bring together all of the shnatties of the different British Zionist youth movements for discussion forums. The first seminar dealt with the perceptions of Israel, Zionism, and ideology today, as viewed by the different movements.
The weekend ended with the participation of the shnatties in the annual Yitzhak Rabin memorial rally in Rabin square in Tel-Aviv. After the intensity of the previous week's seminar, and the depth of discussion about democracy, peace, and zionism, the opportunity to join in a large rally supporting the same values that the movement does was a really meaningful experience for the shnat group.
Shnat then got back into the swing of things on Boneh, examining topics which included the period of modernity and the challenges to Judaism that were posed within, the creation of the state of Israel, and the difficulties and tensions which exist internally and externally for the state of Israel today, and in the past 60 years.
The shnatties also had a chance to dust off their hiking boots for a three day hiking extravaganza in the Gilboa mountains! The group trekked out on Wednesday november 17, and hiked through the Gilboa for a couple of days. Each night was spent camping at the picturesque Ma'ayan Herod (Herod Springs) national park, at the foot of the gilboa mountains. During the days, the shnatties heard about the relevance of the place from their tour guides, including the biblical stories of King Saul and the Gideonites, as well as the modern pioneering stories of the Jezre'el valley, which is overlooked by the Gilboa range.
The shnatties learnt about the difficult relationship that Israel has had historically, and still today, with it's neighbouring countries, and the roots of these conflicts last week. The week was concluded with a siyur (tour) of the Golan Heights, an area of Israel which was captured from Syria during the 6 Day War, and is today an ongoing issue of potential peace negotiations with Syria. The shnatties saw numerous lookouts and famous sights, including Har Ben-Tal, which looks out directly over the Syrian border. They also travelled down to the Valley of Tears, a famous battle site in the Yom Kippur War, and heard of the stories of heroism of young Israeli soldiers there.
Next week, the shnatties begin one of the most anticipated weeks of their year - History of Habonim Dror Hagshama seminar. During the week, they will be visiting older and younger vatikim of Habonim Dror through the generations, from the older kibbutzim such as Kfar Hanassi and Bet Ha'emek, all the way to the newest olim. I am sure that it is going to be a fantastic week of discovery and inspiration for the shnat group.
Until next time all you Shnat fans!
Leon.
The shnatties get their groove on at the MASA event for Idan Reichel!
Shnatties cool off in Haifa - great way to beat the heat!
Shnatties in their chultzot - ready for the Rabin rally!
The shnat group - living the good life!
