Just across the road from the Chazter Kinneret is the old Kinneret cemetery. Here, the MBIers could hear the stories of some of the most famous personalities in the history of Israel and Zionism, ranging from the early Socialist Zionist thinkers and writers Moses Hess and Dov Ber Borachov, to the early Chalutzim (pioneers) Berl Katznelson and Rachel, the poetess to some of the integral figures of the modern state, such as Israeli song-writer Naomi Shemer.
Then they went down the road to Kibbutz Degania and had a round-robin where they learned about the values of the kibbutz and its role in the building of the State of Israel. It is certainly an unparalleled experience to be able to do this while actually walking around the first kibbutz that was established.
Then they did a hike in Nahal Magerse, which is a very cool water hike. Much of this hike is done while actually wading through waist high water! That night they had a peula about chalutziut (pioneering) and asked themselves if they could also be chalutzim? What would that look like today? Needless to say, the MBIers left the day with a real feel of the spirit of the chalutzim and an understanding of the uniqueness of the young people who were so essential to the establishment of the Jewish State.
Monday started out with the group going to the Lochamei HaGetaot Museum (The Ghetto Fighters Museum), which is at the kibbutz of the same name. First the MBIers were brought to a lookout point where you can see the whole museum and learned about the founding of the kibbutz and museum. Then they saw a few of the different exhibits within the museum, like the children's exhibit, and the resistance exhibit. The groups were led by members of Habonim Dror and Hanoar Haoved (our Israeli sister youth movement). In the exhibits and in the sikkum (conclusion) of the morning, the MBI-ers discussed people's ability to make choices in their lives and how they act and react in different situations. They also discussed the involvement of the youth movement in rebellion during the Holocaust and about how to relate the themes of rebellion and responsibility to their own lives. While difficult, this trip was also meaningful and inspiring for the MBIers to see what our and other youth movements did back then and to feel that we can still be active and strong today.
In the afternoon MBI headed farther north to Rosh Hanikra, a geologic formation located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the Western Galilee. The Rosh Hanikra grottoes are cavernous tunnels formed by the sea action on the soft chalk rock. The grottoes branch off in various directions with some interconnecting segments. The chanichim went down to the grottoes and were mesmerized by the way the water gently ran up against the rocks and then seconds later came crashing down with great force.They also enjoyed the light and sound show which described the history and ancient legend of the grottoes.
Then MBI had a small tour of the village of Peki'in which is where they are staying. It is notable in Jewish history because it is a place where Druze and Jews have lived peacefully together for hundreds of years. Peki'in is frequently mentioned in historical sources, specifically in reference to its small Jewish community that has existed there almost continuously since the Second Temple period. Near the village, there are significant sites for both Druze and Jews, including a restored Jewish synagogue dating back to the Roman Period.
Today, Tuesday, MBI started the morning by hiking up Mount Meron, the 2nd highest peak in Israel. Then the MBI-ers drove down to Haifa to explore one of Israel's most unique cities. Haifa, Israel's third largest city is built into the Carmel Mountain on the Northern part of the coast. Haifa is well known as being a multi-ethnic city where Arabs and Jews have lived and worked together for years. To begin the siyur (tour) the chanichim gathered on a promenade above the Bahai Gardens. The Gardens are holy center for the Bahai religion. This is where people of the Bahai faith come to complete their pilgrimage. From this promenade you can see the gardens as well as the whole downtown area of Haifa.
Here the MBIers learned a bit about the history of Haifa and the demographics of the city. Then they ventured down into the city and saw first hand the different elements of Haifa. Throughout the tour they witnessed examples of the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian presences in Haifa. For part of the tour, they visited the neighborhood of Wadi Nisnas. Because Haifa is on a mountain there are neighborhoods located in different natural formations. A wadi is a dried up river bed and this is evident when walking in this particular neighborhood. You have to descend into it and it is very narrow. The buildings are also small and close together. During the walk through the neighborhood the chanichim discussed the architecture of Wadi Nisnas as well as the layout of the city as a whole. Another interesting aspect of Wadi Nisnas is that every year local artists are asked to create murals and art installations to be featured in the neighborhood as part of a coexistence project. This is meant to bring beauty to the city as well as Arab and Jewish artists together. The trip to Haifa was meant to show MBI how Haifa is a multi-ethnic town and learn a bit about what that means and some of the dilemmas that come with it.
Tonight MBI is staying in Peki'in again and tomorrow Rafsodiah starts! Rafsodiah is the part of the trip where each kvutza builds their own rafts and sails them across the kinneret. But more on that next time...
Till then,
Ari
Hebrew Words-
Chatzer- courtyard
Chalutzim/Chalutziut- pioneers/pioneering
Kibbutz- communal settlement, often agricultural
Lochamei- fighters
HaGetaot- the-ghettos
Nahal- river
Wadi (Arabic)- dried-up riverbed
