Mega Event and Machaneh Habonim

The MBIers awoke today at Nes Harim with some exciting prospects ahead of them. Today would not only be the start of Machaneh Habonim but also the day they got to take part in the Israel Experience Mega Event in Jerusalem. In the morning they started off with a peula(activity) with their bus to start preparing them for Machaneh(camp) Habonim.

Afterwards they started to setup the campsite at Nes Harim where they will be staying for next couple nights. Part of this setup included demarcating the different spots for the groups as during Machaneh Habonim, the MBIers will be in 8 groups that will include members of the British and Hungarian Habonim. It should be a meaningful cultural exchange as they will have an extended time together, beyond Yom Habonim Dror which already took place. They also hopefully will some new friendships and perspectives on being 16 in other countries and what are the unique parts of the lifestyles they all come from.

In the afternoon the Brits started to arrive and they began getting to know their groups for the next few days and play games and icebreakers to start bonding the group. After some fun and laughs the groups headed to the buses to go the evening's activity of the Israel Experience Mega event. The idea of the event is to bring all the program participants of Israel summer programs affiliated with the Israel Experience, which includes us, Young Judea, Ramah, and other Jewish groups.

The event itself took place in the Sultan's Pool in Jerusalem which is a famous location for concerts and there is an annual Israeli Film Festival held there among other events. It was a lot of fun with dancing, singing, fireworks and a special performance by the Israeli group Gaia. They are famous for song Yachad which is sung at many machanot(camps) among other places. It was a rocking good time that was a high energy and a great gathering of Jewish youth. Afterwards they headed back to Nes Harim where they got to sleep under the Israeli stars with their new British and Hungarian friends.

Tomorrow will be a more relaxed day of learning about each other's countries and preparation for Shabbat. They will have activites together and some chugim(special-interest activities) as well as the usual Friday night traditions. A much desired rest is upon the MBIers with Shabbat so near!

Lastly for the free weekend of August 1st and 2nd. The dropoff points and approximate times for August 1st are as follows.
Jerusalem Drop-off point: The Soldiers House/Yad Lebanim which is on Rehov Ben Tzvi(St) and is between Gan Sacher and Binyanei Haomah. 11:00am
Tel-Aviv: Redding Terminal which is by Park Hayarkon on Rokach Rd. 10:30am
Haifa: Lev Hamifratz parking lot. 12:00pm