The past two modules we have been through here on Ein Dor have been Socialist-Zionism, and The Dilemmas of Nation-Building. These modules deal with the theory and the history of Socialist-Zionism, the different aliyot to Israel before the state was founded, and the politics of the British Mandate period internally among the Zionist community as well externally with the neighboring Arabs.
In addition to the regular Boneh programming, the past few weeks have been full of exciting siyurim (excursions) and special programming for Israel's national holidays. On April 8, Boneh shnatties hiked all the way to the peak of Har Tavor from Kibbutz Ein Dor. Har Tavor is just a few kilometers from Ein Dor, but reaching the peak is no small feat given the steepness of the trail.
Boneh shnatties observed Yom Hashoah at a ceremony on Ein Dor April 11 and also a ceremony at Kibbutz Lochamei HaGetaot April 12. Lochamei HaGetaot is a fitting location for the ceremony because it was founded by some of the leaders of the Warsaw ghetto uprising. Recalling their extraordinary rebellion and leadership gives hope and inspiration on a mostly somber day. Later that week, Boneh shnatties learned more about the first and second waves of Zionist immigration covered in shiurim (lessons) by traveling to Zichron Yaakov and Kibbutz Yifat. Because it was one of the major destinations for olim of the 1880s and 1890s, Zichron Yaakov is home to the First Aliya Museum. Kibbutz Yifat has reconstructed an interactive version of some of the early labor Zionist settlements typical of the second and third aliya.
On Yom Hazikaron, Boneh shnatties went to Har Herzl, the military cemetery in Jerusalem. Har Herzl is the site of the main memorial ceremonies of Yom Hazikaron, lasting almost the whole day and flowing into the festivities for Yom HaAtzmaut. After a brief visit of Har Herzl, Boneh shnatties went on a short hike near Jerusalem. The hike was through a part of the Burma trail, which was opened as an alternate route to Jerusalem during the blockades of the War of Independence. Throughout the hike, the shnatties heard some of the stories surrounding that important historic event. That weekend, all of the English-speaking shnatties from both the northern and southern hemispheres convened for a seminar in preparation for Chag HaPoalim (May Day). This was a great opportunity for the Machon and Boneh groups to mix, and to meet formally all the other shnatties from North America, England and Holland.
The following Thursday (April 29), Boneh shnatties went on a siyur in Haifa, focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the British Mandate period. Stops included Wadi Nisnas, the Madatech (formerly the Technion), the Istaqlal Mosque, and the old Turkish Market.
One final note: the Boneh Gan (garden) continue to blossom and grow! Here you see two Boneh-niks presenting their freshly picked harvest of sweet peas:
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