Galil Blog

After an exciting night activity called Aliyah Bet where chanichimot (campers) get up late and pretend to be on a journey to Israel, we kept with the theme by having Yom Israel (Israel day) today! Chanichimot had a yummy breakfast of bourekas to start off the day filled with Israeli inspired foods. 

We started Yom Israel with an escape room where chanichimot pretended to be navigating through Jerusalem in order to reach the Western Wall. Afterwards, we all took a trip to the dead sea (the pool) and relaxed with cucumbers for our eyes and a refreshing dip in the water on a hot day. 

At lunch we tasted schnitzel, a staple Israeli food. Later on chanichimot had bissli, a classic Israeli snack for kibbud (snack). 

Chanichimot then split up by kvutzah (age group) to make a performance and dance to a former Israeli eurovision song. Bonimot (age 12) were given the best score from our very prestigious judges. Some of the songs included Golden Boy, and Unicorn. 

We switched into a more serious gear later on in the day as we ran a few serious discussions for the kids. They could choose to learn about multi-culturalism and the conflict in Israel, violence in Israeli society, or Workshop, the gap-year program hosted by Habonim Dror for kids who’ve just graduated high school. In the multiculturalism and conflict discussion, there were many perspectives represented. Some chanichimot were hearing about these concepts for the first time while others have lived in or visited Israel and have more knowledge to offer on the subject. I found myself learning from a chanichol (camper) in Amelimot (ages 8-10), which represents the magic of Galil. 

Following on the more serious note of the day, we held a tekkes (ceremony), where we lit a candle to recognize lives lost in the war in Israel and Gaza, and listened to our Israeli tzevet (staff) members share some of their experiences. 

We finished Yom Israel with dinner and a messibah (Party)! But surprise! Tonight also included Zap! A much-loved traditional Galil evening activity where chanichimot try to get from one side of machaneh (camp) to the other without being zapped by a flashlight, If they’re caught moving in the beam of a flashlight, they must go back and start from the beginning. A busy, but meaningful and fun day to remember! We even got to finish our evening with some delicious tiramisu cake. Yum!