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.