Day 2 of Machaneh

This morning the MBIers awoke from their tents, washed up in the bath houses, and headed to breakfast in the chadar ochel(dining hall). They proceeded to have a busy morning having peulot(activities) with their new friends. A lot of the experience was continuing the exchange between the MBIers and the Israelis. While learning about the differences between North American and Israeli culture, one of the goals of MBI was being realized to have first-hand experiences with Israelis their age.

In the afternoon the MBIers took part in different Shabbat Chugim, where they got to pick from several different options. The activities included, Rikud(Israeli dance), Soccer, Sports, Cards, and "Crazy Fun Stuff" where they played different games and activities. Afterwards the MBIers had some to rest, clean up and get ready for their first joint Shabbat with Israelis their age!

The MBIers led Kabbalat Shabbat and sang many songs they are used to singing at machaneh(camp) and at home. For some of the Hanoar Haoved participants this was a new experience to both have a more culturally Jewish experience was incorporating the traditional elements of Friday night. Often these exchanges are quite meaningful as some Israelis are used to living more secular lives and are not exposed to the positive Jewish experience that Habonim Dror provides.

After a nice Shabbat dinner, the MBIers had a sort of Beit Cafe(Coffee House) where all the NOAL(Israelis) and MBIers got a chance to mingle, have hot drinks and cookies, while people were playing music, and eventually some people were playing sports. The evening was rounded out in no better way then doing Rikud(Israeli Dance) in Israel, with Israelis their age.

Tomorrow the MBIers will take part in short tiyul(hike) in the morning where they will get to cook their own breakfast! The rest of the day will be a more traditional shabbat on MBI. Sunday will being the Machatz(Kibbutz) part of the program. Shabbat Shalom!