This morning the group left from Hukuk and the surrounds of the kinneret to the hustle and bustle of Israel's metropolitan center, Tel-Aviv. The MBIers started this morning in the old port city of Jaffa, in the southern reaches of the Tel-Aviv area. There they heard the stories and legends of Jaffa, ranging as far back as the biblical Jonah, who left on his perilous sea journey from the port of Jaffa, through to Napoleon's conquest of Jaffa, and as late as the Israeli War of Independence and it's effect on the Arab population in Jaffa.
The MBIers then got a chance to take in the beauty of the ancient Jaffa port through lunch, which they ate overlooking the soothing waters of the Meditarraenean. Then they were given some free time to scout out and rummage through the potential treasures and gifts in the Jaffa Flea Market, Shuk Hapishpushim.
In the afternoon the MBIers travelled into the heart of Tel-Aviv, stopping first at the Hall of Indendence for a guided tour. The museum was created in the same house that was used to make the declaration of Independence for Israel on May 14 1948, which was originally the house of Tel-Aviv's first mayor, Meir Dizengoff. It gave the MBIers a chance to hear David Ben-Gurion's original speech of Independence in the hall in which it was given.
Then the MBIers went off to Rabin Square, right in the centrer of Tel-Aviv. The square was originally named the King of Kings square, until the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin in 1995. There the MBIers were able to see firsthand the tragedy of the Rabin assassination, and the public outcry in its' aftermath, through the commemorative exhibition and memorial. The MBIers were able to see the damaging effects of the assassination on Israeli democracy.
During the evening the MBIers did a photography activity on Shenkin street, in the commercial heart of Tel-Aviv. In small groups, the MBIers journeyed around the streets of Tel-Aviv, soaking up the sights and sounds of the Tel-Aviv shopping district, through the lens of the camera.
Once the group arrived back to base in Nordiya, they had an activity to make collages of their new-found understandings of Tel-Aviv. It gave them a creative outlet to express the new concepts and horizons that they had learnt through the day.
Tomorrow the MBIers will be going to Yom Habonim Dror at the beach at Sdot Yam, the annual event that Habonim Dror Olami holds for all Israel program participants, olim, and workers, which is attended by up to 1,000 Habonim Dror members from all over the world! It's definitely going to be another day of highlights for the MBIers.
