First Full Day of MBI!

The MBIers awoke today to face their first full day of MBI. They set off in the morning for the Sataf hike which is in the same region of Israel that they staying, which is outside of Jerusalem. The hike itself goes through an old Arab Village that was evacuated during the Independence war. As such it is both an beautiful place to hike through but has a clear historical relevance to the creation of the state. The hike also includes reaching a small spring which of course adds to the hike's beauty. The hike itself was not too strenuous and was a fun and informative hike for the MBIers lead, as usual, with the guidance of our very knowledgable Israeli tour guides.

In the afternoon the MBIers returned to Nes Harim where the day continued with peulot(activities) divided up by bus group. While the group was split into their 4 buses last night, they also have smaller bus groups that they were split into. Each bus has two groups and two madrichim(counselors) for their group. In doing so, it enables the MBIers to have activities in smaller groups as well as have madrichim(counselors) that they will get to know better and have someone they feel more comfortable to ask questions or talk to about anything.

In these smaller groups they had an educational activity starting to look more at the meaning of being on MBI both in the context of MBI being our 8th machaneh(summer camp) and being in Israel. A lot of good discussions and information was shared and the bonding of the smaller groups seems to be off to a good start. The madrichim also performed a Hatzagah(skit) before dinner that combined comedy and education and will be a recurring and hopefully appealing part of the day for the MBIers. A few good laughs were definitely had with more to come.

After dinner at Nes Harim, a great big fun Welcome to Israel activity took place. All the MBIers took part in the various aspects of the evening that was geared towards getting them to know some of the important cultural references they will come to learn as well as just plain fun. Activities included competitions such as making Israel out of various food items, a hebrew word relay-race and a "shoko b sakeet" drinking contest. Shoko is Israeli chocolate milk and sakeet(bag) is the how it comes for purchase. Many past participants clamor for the delicious chocolate milk so undoubtably the MBIers will be on the lookout for it as the summer continues.

Overall a fun mix of activities and then off to bed for the MBIers to prepare for day 2 of MBI. Tomorrow will see them taking part in a JNF day that has many components including an archaelogical dig and hiking through a cave. The excitement, fun, and learning will continue tomorrow!