Well MBI has come to a close and almost all the MBIers are safe and sound at home with the exception of a few who stayed on in Israel after the program. Being in the airport on Monday was great to see the emotions of the MBIers. Many tears were shed, and I'm told the crying process began on Saturday for many MBIers including a number who actually cried for several hours! Having worked at machaneh(summer camp) and with MBI now for a couple summers, I've been told that the amount of crying on the last day can often be an indicator of the success of the summer. With that rubric it is clear that MBI Yud Zayin 2008 was truly great.
Thank you to all of the chaperones for all of our buses and flights which made the travel day a success. Of course the MBI tzevet(staff) led by Leon and Mauri(our technical director) were instrumental in making the experience a truly special one for the MBIers. Their guidance, knowledge and leadership paired with the experience and know how of our program providers the Israel Experience, made MBI Yud Zayin so special. And of course thank you to all you parents for your support throughout the program. I'm certain it is quite an experience to release your children to our care and to take part in the varying experiences that your MBIer underwent. Thank you also to the overwhelmingly positive response we have received for our request for additional funding.
As we our constantly in a process of evaluating our programs I would like to request that you all take a few moments to fill out an online evaluation of the program. I am curious to hear your feedback and input so we can improve next year's program. The link can be found by clicking here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ysCltqKh4LQpC65rV8D92A_3d_3d
It's been a great experience interacting with many of you wonderful families and I hope to be in touch in the future. I will be moving on in September to start a new adventure in my life working in restaurants to work my way up to be a chef. I will continue to live in New York and to be an available resource and consultant for the office. The woman taking over for me is none other than Shani Bob, madricha(counselor) on MBI for the second time this summer, and from the Galil family. She will no doubt bring a lot of experience and know how to make the future MBI's great as well. Thank you all for your support and hopefully we will cross paths soon!
Signing off from this blog,
Michael Kanter
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
They have arrived in North America
Well all the flights landed on time with the exception of Newark which was a bit later then planned. All the connecting flights were slated to be on time and most people are already in the air. By and large today has gone incredibly smooth to cap off a great trip. Don't worry though there will be one more post tomorrow!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Last Shabbat and Day of MBI!
Later on the MBIers had Shabbat Chugim(special-interest groups) led by their madrichim in a number of topics, From more creative and relaxing groups there also was an Israel Update, and enjoying the outdoors and nature group. The MBIers also had some time to pack and had a enchanting musical with many participants putting out their favorite and best performances of the summer.
After dinner the MBIers took part a final, but very special havdallah out in the Israeli forest of Nes Harim, under the wondrous Israeli sky. It always is a great time to relax and quiet time to reflect on the incredible week and experience the MBIers have been having with all their new friends, sights, and smells they have been a part of on MBI. A final Medura was had that went quite late with singing and many comedic acts performed.
Finally the evening was capped off with Final Mesibah(party) to have a final celebration of glorious experience that was MBI. While there had been some tears at various parts of the day, Saturday was a great party with music, dancing, games and food. The party went into the wee hours of the night as the MBIers tried to soak up as much time as they could enjoying the company of their new and old friends.
Today the MBIers woke up and worked on the sad process of finishing packing up as the departure to the airport was to be later in the day. They had a final peula(activity) and then had some time with their various groups. They had final meetings with their smaller group and with their bus.
There was a final tekes(ceremony) to close out the wonderful experience of MBI that was a sad and joyous reminder of the where MBI had gone since the opening tekes five weeks ago. The MBIers also received their MBI sweatshirts and t-shirts that they had designed themselves as unifying reminder of the great summer experience they shared together.
They packed up the buses, headed to the aiport and checked in for their flights. The first set of goodbyes took place as the MBIers had to say goodbye both to their madrichim(counselors) in addition to the three flights separating the Canadians and then the Americans into their two flights. They made it through to their flights and took off with Newark delayed, JFK set to arrive 20 minutes late and the Canadian flight on time.
I will post again tomorrow once everyone has landed and we have sent everyone off to their connecting flights. It's almost over...and the MBIers are almost home!
After dinner the MBIers took part a final, but very special havdallah out in the Israeli forest of Nes Harim, under the wondrous Israeli sky. It always is a great time to relax and quiet time to reflect on the incredible week and experience the MBIers have been having with all their new friends, sights, and smells they have been a part of on MBI. A final Medura was had that went quite late with singing and many comedic acts performed.
Finally the evening was capped off with Final Mesibah(party) to have a final celebration of glorious experience that was MBI. While there had been some tears at various parts of the day, Saturday was a great party with music, dancing, games and food. The party went into the wee hours of the night as the MBIers tried to soak up as much time as they could enjoying the company of their new and old friends.
Today the MBIers woke up and worked on the sad process of finishing packing up as the departure to the airport was to be later in the day. They had a final peula(activity) and then had some time with their various groups. They had final meetings with their smaller group and with their bus.
There was a final tekes(ceremony) to close out the wonderful experience of MBI that was a sad and joyous reminder of the where MBI had gone since the opening tekes five weeks ago. The MBIers also received their MBI sweatshirts and t-shirts that they had designed themselves as unifying reminder of the great summer experience they shared together.
They packed up the buses, headed to the aiport and checked in for their flights. The first set of goodbyes took place as the MBIers had to say goodbye both to their madrichim(counselors) in addition to the three flights separating the Canadians and then the Americans into their two flights. They made it through to their flights and took off with Newark delayed, JFK set to arrive 20 minutes late and the Canadian flight on time.
I will post again tomorrow once everyone has landed and we have sent everyone off to their connecting flights. It's almost over...and the MBIers are almost home!
Contact information for tomorrow
The MBIers are in the air! This post should provide you with all of the contact information you need in case you need to reach us for any reason tomorrow.
JFK:
Gil Browdy and myself will be at JFK for the entire day tomorrow along with a few other madrichim from the movement who have volunteered to help us out. If you need to reach us, you can call the HDNA cell phone at 917-822-2330. If for some reason you have trouble reaching that, you can also call Gil at 301-254-2955. We will be there all day until all of the kids have made it onto their connecting flights.
Newark:
Jamie Beran and Kenan Jaffe will be at Newark airport. Jamie's phone number is 856-287-0345 and Kenan's is 302-220-1762. They will be meeting the flight and getting everyone onto the buses. The bus chaperone for the DC/Baltimore bus is Peter Grey and his phone number is 301-279-7708. The bus chaperone for the Philadelphia bus is Dara Silbermann and her phone number is 610-945-7803. Kenan and Jamie will be at Newark until everyone is on their way and then will be joining the rest of the group at JFK.
JFK:
Gil Browdy and myself will be at JFK for the entire day tomorrow along with a few other madrichim from the movement who have volunteered to help us out. If you need to reach us, you can call the HDNA cell phone at 917-822-2330. If for some reason you have trouble reaching that, you can also call Gil at 301-254-2955. We will be there all day until all of the kids have made it onto their connecting flights.
Newark:
Jamie Beran and Kenan Jaffe will be at Newark airport. Jamie's phone number is 856-287-0345 and Kenan's is 302-220-1762. They will be meeting the flight and getting everyone onto the buses. The bus chaperone for the DC/Baltimore bus is Peter Grey and his phone number is 301-279-7708. The bus chaperone for the Philadelphia bus is Dara Silbermann and her phone number is 610-945-7803. Kenan and Jamie will be at Newark until everyone is on their way and then will be joining the rest of the group at JFK.
Israel Flights
Alright well the MBIers are through security and customs and should be taking off shortly. The flight to Newark will be 45 minutes late so make note of that in terms of adjusting arrival times to Philadelphia and Baltimore/DC area. The other flights are scheduled to land on time. More of an update later.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Tikkun Olam and the Final Shabbat
Today the MBIers woke up acutely aware of the precious little time left on MBI, but also with a sense of purpose to give back to the country that has given them so much just in this short trip. As such the MBIers set off after breakfast to go the Northern part of Ashdod to take part in a tikkun olam project. They went specifically to the Chof HaDayagim(Fisherman's Beach) to take part in a clean up of the beach there.
When the arrived the MBIers found a beach that was quite neglected, filled with trash, and rather unpleasant to put it mildly. The MBIers recognizing the need, and the power in numbers they had, they set off to clean up the beach. After filling an enormous amount of garbage bags, the MBIers by the end could look back and see a beach that actually looked quite pretty, in stark contrast to the ugly site earlier. This project was coordinated with the Beach Department of the Environmental Ministry in Israel, who were quite thankful for the help and even gave the MBIers hats as a small token of their appreciation.
After resting and eating some lunch on the go, the MBIers set off to swim at a more traditional beach in Ashdod at the Chof Yud Alef. There got some final fun in the sun on the Mediterranean before heading back to Nes Harim for Shabbat. When the MBIers returned to Nes Harim they a peula(activity) that began the sikkum(wrapping up) process for the end of MBI. They also had time to rest, shower and clean up for the final Friday night in Israel on MBI.
They had Mishpachot(family time) where all the machanot(camps) got to reunite and share stories, laughs and catch up on the adventures they all had been having. This was followed by the Rosh's Story which gave Leon one last chance to tell an inspiring tale in his well loved Australian accent. This was followed by a beautiful Kabbalat Shabbat ceremony that truly captured the spirit of the moment of celebrating Shabbat in Israel.
After Dinner the final oneg(play) was performed by a group of the MBIers to many laughs and reminders of the end being near. The evening was capped off with Rikud(Israeli Dancing) again capturing the special spirit of Habonim and machaneh in the most special of places, Israel. It was a great Friday and a great start to the final weekend of activities.
Tomorrow the MBIers will have a sleep-in, followed by some more traditional Shabbat activities of chugim, Musicale, Havdallah and Medura. There will be more sikkum(wrapping up) activites as well as the final mesibah(party)! Sunday of course will be the end with packing up, having a final tekes(ceremony) and a tear-filled goodbye to Israel, their madrichim(counselors) and of course there many many new friends.
When the arrived the MBIers found a beach that was quite neglected, filled with trash, and rather unpleasant to put it mildly. The MBIers recognizing the need, and the power in numbers they had, they set off to clean up the beach. After filling an enormous amount of garbage bags, the MBIers by the end could look back and see a beach that actually looked quite pretty, in stark contrast to the ugly site earlier. This project was coordinated with the Beach Department of the Environmental Ministry in Israel, who were quite thankful for the help and even gave the MBIers hats as a small token of their appreciation.
After resting and eating some lunch on the go, the MBIers set off to swim at a more traditional beach in Ashdod at the Chof Yud Alef. There got some final fun in the sun on the Mediterranean before heading back to Nes Harim for Shabbat. When the MBIers returned to Nes Harim they a peula(activity) that began the sikkum(wrapping up) process for the end of MBI. They also had time to rest, shower and clean up for the final Friday night in Israel on MBI.
They had Mishpachot(family time) where all the machanot(camps) got to reunite and share stories, laughs and catch up on the adventures they all had been having. This was followed by the Rosh's Story which gave Leon one last chance to tell an inspiring tale in his well loved Australian accent. This was followed by a beautiful Kabbalat Shabbat ceremony that truly captured the spirit of the moment of celebrating Shabbat in Israel.
After Dinner the final oneg(play) was performed by a group of the MBIers to many laughs and reminders of the end being near. The evening was capped off with Rikud(Israeli Dancing) again capturing the special spirit of Habonim and machaneh in the most special of places, Israel. It was a great Friday and a great start to the final weekend of activities.
Tomorrow the MBIers will have a sleep-in, followed by some more traditional Shabbat activities of chugim, Musicale, Havdallah and Medura. There will be more sikkum(wrapping up) activites as well as the final mesibah(party)! Sunday of course will be the end with packing up, having a final tekes(ceremony) and a tear-filled goodbye to Israel, their madrichim(counselors) and of course there many many new friends.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Sof Machatz and heading back to the some familiar places
This morning the MBIers group by group got picked up from their familiar buses as they were gradually reunited with their greater MBI bus and eventually group. Much of the morning was spent saying goodbye to Kibbutz and then traveling to Holon where the main event of the day was to take place. They arrived in Holon to have lunch out and then the buses one by one headed to the Holon Children Museum.
The Museum is a fantastic place that is known for having an incredible Blind Exhibit but the MBIers got a special treat to explore their newest exhibit. This exhibit is a Deaf Exhibit that is called "Invitation to Silence". It is enthralling glimpse into the world and challenges faced by those who are hearing impaired. Participants were given headphones that block out noise in order to become more fully immersed in the experience. One by one each of groups took their turns getting led through the exhibit. The reviews after said it was a fantastic and arguably enlightening experience.
After everyone had their turn the MBIers headed back to familiar place, the air-conditioned cabins of Nes Harim. The MBIers were relieved to be back at what has almost become a second home this summer and were even more excited to be reunited with the larger MBI group. The MBIers had dinner in the chadar ochel(dining hall) as they trickled in from the Museum.
There was a great energy at Nes Harim as friends reconnected and shared stories and compared experiences on their Kibbutzim. The evening activities was more relaxed to the MBIers a chance to catch up with their friends and reflect on their various Machatz experiences. It was a great way to end a week of Machatz and prepare for the final weekend of MBI!
Tomorrow the MBIers will be taking part in a tikkun olam project in morning. They be helping to clean an Ashdod beach near where the beach meets up with Lachish River. It is unfortunately a lovely beach that is on the watch list of many Israeli environmental groups for dumping and other mistreatment and is need of cleaning. Later they will head off to different beach to swimming as the temptation of being on the beach all morning and not swimming would be too great! Much of the rest of the day will be a more traditional Friday afternoon on Shabbat.
As a reminder all of you should already received the travel plan for Monday and you already should have your e-tickets. If you do not please let me know, though I will post all the information on the blog again. I will be out of the office tomorrow for a wedding this weekend so if you to reach me from then until the travel day please call the Habonim Dror cellphone at 917-822-2330. Please understand I will be checking my phone on Sunday to monitor the flight, but it is also the day of the Wedding I will be attending, so please be patient if I don't respond immediately. The final Shabbat of MBI is upon us....
The Museum is a fantastic place that is known for having an incredible Blind Exhibit but the MBIers got a special treat to explore their newest exhibit. This exhibit is a Deaf Exhibit that is called "Invitation to Silence". It is enthralling glimpse into the world and challenges faced by those who are hearing impaired. Participants were given headphones that block out noise in order to become more fully immersed in the experience. One by one each of groups took their turns getting led through the exhibit. The reviews after said it was a fantastic and arguably enlightening experience.
After everyone had their turn the MBIers headed back to familiar place, the air-conditioned cabins of Nes Harim. The MBIers were relieved to be back at what has almost become a second home this summer and were even more excited to be reunited with the larger MBI group. The MBIers had dinner in the chadar ochel(dining hall) as they trickled in from the Museum.
There was a great energy at Nes Harim as friends reconnected and shared stories and compared experiences on their Kibbutzim. The evening activities was more relaxed to the MBIers a chance to catch up with their friends and reflect on their various Machatz experiences. It was a great way to end a week of Machatz and prepare for the final weekend of MBI!
Tomorrow the MBIers will be taking part in a tikkun olam project in morning. They be helping to clean an Ashdod beach near where the beach meets up with Lachish River. It is unfortunately a lovely beach that is on the watch list of many Israeli environmental groups for dumping and other mistreatment and is need of cleaning. Later they will head off to different beach to swimming as the temptation of being on the beach all morning and not swimming would be too great! Much of the rest of the day will be a more traditional Friday afternoon on Shabbat.
As a reminder all of you should already received the travel plan for Monday and you already should have your e-tickets. If you do not please let me know, though I will post all the information on the blog again. I will be out of the office tomorrow for a wedding this weekend so if you to reach me from then until the travel day please call the Habonim Dror cellphone at 917-822-2330. Please understand I will be checking my phone on Sunday to monitor the flight, but it is also the day of the Wedding I will be attending, so please be patient if I don't respond immediately. The final Shabbat of MBI is upon us....
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