Towards the end of Machatz

As some of you may or may not have heard, we unfortunately had to send home another three MBI participants. On one of the Kibbutzim there is an area where the 18 year old army aged Kibbutzniks live and the MBIers there were warned not to go spend time there. Unfortunately, despite no less than two separate warnings about spending time there, two nights ago several MBIers went there after they were supposed to be asleep and these 18 yr olds provided alcohol to these MBIers. The three MBIers were caught partaking in this alcohol and as had already been made clear, is against our rules and results in dismissal from the program.

It was sad and unfortunate to have this happen again despite having the MBIers witness the consequences of others who partake in similar actions. Despite providing a safe environment with overall consistent supervision(Approx 1:6 madrich/chanich ratio) and clear rules, we cannot always prevent the unfortunate breaking of our important rules. We have and will continue to enforce our policies and evaluate the circumstances of these instances to try figure out if there is anything we can do in the future to prevent this from happening. The fact remains that by and large our program participants follow our rules, as part of creating a positive social environment that is crucial to the spirit and success of MBI and Habonim Dror.

Today the MBIers had their final full day of Machatz with a variety of activites. Many of the Kibbutzim were wrapping up their respective tiyulim. Some participants had mornings by the Kinneret packing up, hiking and heading back to their Kibbutz. Others partook in more aspects of their tiyul, enjoying the beauty of the areas near the Kinneret and the Golan Heights.

Many of the MBIers also took part in work projects on the Kibbutz. Some of them had the opportunity to join different anafim(work groups) whether they were working in the fields, landscaping, working with kids, or others. Most of the MBIers got some time after avodah and coming back from tiyul to relax and have fun at the great Kibbutz pools. The pool on a most Kibbutzim is a social place and usually quite nice as swimming pools go.

In the evening most of the MBIers had dinner with their host family as a farewell but also to have delicious home cooked meal. It was a final chance to connect with their host family and a chance to have a more traditional Israeli meal. Many of the MBIers had the chance to watch the Olympics and cheer on Israel, the US and Canada. The evening was rounded out with a farewell mesibah(party) with their new Kibbutz friends as their special time on Kibbutz was coming to a close.

Tomorrow the MBIers will be picked up from their buses to head towards the center of the country. They will all head down to Holon where they will meet up for lunch and then have a fascinating afternoon at the Blind Museum which is unique is attempting to have museum-goers to experience what it's like to be blind. In the evening they will head to a familiar and welcome stomping ground of the air-conditioned cabins at Nes Harim. Just a few more days of MBI...

As a final note that I will post tomorrow. I will be out of town from Friday until Sunday night at a close friend's wedding. As always I can be reached on the Habonim Dror cellphone during that time should any issues arise.