On Thursday the MBIers had an early morning start to complete the boats. They worked through the morning and by the afternoon each group had completed construction and were ready to test out their creations. After two days of hard work 8 boats successfully sailed across the Kinneret.
For everyone involved this was amazing opportunity to bond with their kvutzah over a shared project and to work together to accomplish such a big task. It was also great for the madrichim to help their chanichim and to watch them create something they could take pride in. All in all Rafsodia was a success and great way to kick off MBI.
When all of the boats were disassembled the headed up to Tel Hai, where they enjoyed a quick dinner and all went to bed early to rest up for their first day of touring.
On Friday the well rested group headed to the Tel Hai monument to learn some early Israeli history. Here they enjoyed some historical skits performed by the madrichim presenting the story of Tel Hai and Trumpeldor. The MBIers met a girl who lives in the village and told them what life was like in Palestine under the British Mandate, they discussed military strategy and reasons to stage a revolt with the hero of the story, Joseph Trumpeldor, and witnessed a re-enactment of the battle of Tel Hai.
After a morning of history the chanichim enjoyed a packed picnic lunch before an afternoon of Kabbalah and mysticism. They headed up to Rosh Pinna, a community north of the Kinneret. Rosh Pinna, was founded in 1882 and is one of the oldest Zionist settlements in Israel. They then visited the city of Tzfat. In the 16th century Tzfat became the center of Kabbalah and many religious leaders moved to this city. It remains a very religious city and a symbol of the Kabbalah movement as well as the home of large artist colony. The chanichim enjoyed a walking tour of this quaint city, visiting the old synogouge and viewing religious art.
The chanichim then headed back to the hostel to get ready for their first Shabbat together. After a bit of time to rest and shower the chanichim gathered on the main lawn at the youth hostel with great view of the Golan Heights. It was a lovely location to start Kabbalat Shabbat. They enjoyed a traditional machaneh Kabbalah including mishpachot(machaneh time) and a rosh story told by Gil. Later tonight each kvutzah will perform a short skit or song for the rest of the group and they will then have rikud and some free time to hang out.
Everyone is looking forward to a meaningful and restful Shabbat.
