Aviv Days 46, 47 and 48!

As the day finally arrived where we were to leave the variously reviewed Kibbutz Yechiam the atmosphere was positive with Jerusalem the much anticipated destination. We awoke bright and early, ingested an underwhelming breakfast, our last kibbutz meal, consisting of eggs and cereal. After a quick room clean-up and pack, we boarded the bus, of course not before a group photo, assuming our positions for the ride to the holiest of cities. Arriving at the Yitzchak Rabin hostel, our home for the night, we were struck by the overwhelmingly nice appearance of the place as well as the presence of our ‘cousins’ Aviv Group 2 with whom we had not been reunited for just on a month. After the exchange of pleasantries we got down to our first program of the day, led by ex-Moriah student George Schneider who guided our discussions of Judaism and Social Justice through the introduction of various Biblical texts. It was a rather intriguing and enlightening program, following which he joined us for a delicious lunch, which reminded our taste buds of what genuinely appetizing food actually tasted like.

Following meal time, Amir led us through a program on the topic of religiosity in Israel and the diaspora, and the differences within. Again, a program which was greatly enjoyed by most. However, with a big night in looming, the minds of most switched quickly to the clock and how they were to create an eye catching costume for the Purim Street parties which we were to attend. Following pre-drinks on the hostels beautiful roof we headed to the shuk at Mahane Yehuda where entire streets were filled with revellers and DJs pumping party music all hours of the night. Needless to say we were in our element, surrounded by Shnat and IBC Australians amongst Israelis, it was an absolutely crazy night which was enjoyed by everyone, especially as we fulfilled one of the mitzvot of Purim in consuming alcohol…

People gradually returned to their rooms in the early hours of the morning, not looking forward to the minimal amount of sleep they knew they would receive. At breakfast, which was delicious, photos were reviewed as most pieced together a long night and laughed at new memories. As we checked out, cabs were called as we headed to a new hostel for a free day in Jerusalem, the Abraham Hostel accommodated almost the entirety of both groups. However, I shan’t outline the details of the day as all went their separate ways and completed various tasks which needed doing.

Tuesday morning saw multiple groups of people make their way to our bus departure point, Binyanei Ha’uma, many had trouble reaching this destination and weren’t shy informing the madrichim of this fact. The bus ride to Eilat, was proceeded, with a pitstop at Ein Gedi, to take in the sights therein including not so hot springs and waterfalls whose natural beauty brought about numerous photo opportunities. Bagels were on offer for lunch and were gone in record pace. After lunch we re-boarded the bus and headed for our final destination, Eilat, where we are to stay for the next roughly 5 nights (to the best of my knowledge). We arrived at the hostel following a small detour to a historical statue capturing the capturing of Eilat in 1949 through the iconic image of a soldier hoisting a handmade mock-up of the Israeli flag. Our lodgings, known as the Eilat Field School, whilst in a frustrating location away from the city centre, are rather nice and as we learnt at dinner, serves delicious meals. We are looking forward to exploring Eilat in the coming days.

Another awesome few days down, 104 days to look forward to!

Jake

Aviv Days 42 – 45

As our time on kibbutz comes to an end so do our short-lived Hebrew lessons with our beloved teacher Morah Meital. Wednesday was the penultimate lesson and it was followed by a lunch of spaghetti bolognaise and then a movie named ‘Bufor’ which chronicled the experiences of soldiers stationed at a fortress just inside the Lebanese Border during the Lebanon war. Dinner consisted of sausages and was proceeded by an extremely interesting program which explored the positives and negatives of social media use in contemporary society and its connotations upon youth and adults alike. Bedtime completed another day at Yechiam as we drew closer to venturing off our now accustomed surroundings and heading back to the big smoke that is Jerusalem.

Thursday brought our final ulpan lesson which was highlighted by the consumption of copious amounts of junk food provided by, without doubt, our favourite ulpan teacher in the entirety of Israel (Our only one…). Lunch was next up and featured Basel’s patented shwarma meat. Room clean up followed as the squeegees were once again removed from their resting places and engaged in the cleaning of numerous tiled surfaces. As each and every room passed our room inspections we proceeded to relax until dinner which comprised of meat patties, rice and peas, a more than adequate meal. Our final activity of the day was a program which highlighted the evolution of television via the medium of a documentary hosted by a British man whose pompousness and dark sense of humour had some immediate disliking his each and every statement. Nonetheless, the premise of the program certainly had a heightened validity whether or not it got through to everyone.

Friday was the day in which we were to head off to the big bad city of Nahariya and scour the vendors for cheap yet satisfactory Purim attire which was to last us both for the kibbutz’s own Purim party which was to be held that night as well as our nights in Jerusalem. Of course when in town everyone opened up their wallets and splurged upon delicious foods and drinks and most visited Nahariya’s premier shwarma dealership. With costumes in hand and stomachs full we gradually headed back to Yehiam mentally prepared for the big night which we knew was ahead of us. Sure enough, the night finally arrived as everyone donned their costumes and hit the bar. The theme was Las Vegas, a theme ignored by most, props to Harry for going as a magician the most Vegas-y of the group.  After an exceedingly hazy night we headed for bed at various hours, all assured of numerous new stories which we would vaguely remember for the months and years to come.

As we awoke the next morning, some remembering more of the previous night than the others, people steadily emerged from their quarters looking not in the best of sorts. We were granted the chill time we so dearly craved and were allowed to do however we pleased for almost the entirety of the day. Following lunch, the majority of the group headed up to Yechiam’s very own fortress, which was built by the crusaders in the 12^th century before being occupied by the Ottoman’s during their empirical reign and finally being used by the kibbutzniks to defend against invaders in more recent times. It was a fun experience and many got some solid photos out of it. After dinner we spent our final night on kibbutz Yechiam with a short program run by the media committee comprised of two short videos in which we reflected on our kibbutz experience both verbally and photographically. Family time featuring red light green light was the final item on the agenda as all retired to their rooms to pack their bags eager to depart for pastures new at the bright and early time of 7:45AM. Well Kibby Yechy, it’s been real! Thanks for having us!

Another few awesome days down, 107 days to look forward to!

Jake

Aviv Days 39. 40 and 41

The free weekend had taken its toll on an already weary Aviv group 1 as most returned with some form of illness (other than a headache from their parents screaming at them due to their absurd spending). It was straight back to work for those not struck with an ailment, again beginning at all hours of the day across various parts of the kibbutz. Personally, I was working alongside Millie, Zoe and Robbie in hospitality, laying the foundations of a new wall to be built around an enclosed piece of nature. Other jobs also went ahead as per usual, however with a distinctly lower number of participants. A break in toil for lunch yielded a delicious spaghetti bolognaise meal, after all, how can one make a bad spag bol?! Work resumed until thankfully the rain set in.

Due to our interruption at work we were granted further free time, something which seems to be an infinite resource on kibbutz, until we were gathered in the moadon at roughly 5PM for a Purim-inspired program. First, we were quizzed on various facts and interesting knowledge about Purim, of course Jared Engelman dominated the competition, much to the surprise of no one. Next we dramatized a Dr Seuss inspired re-telling of the story, complete with narrators and actors. Finally, we were introduced to a new concept for the week, that of the ‘secret Santa.’ Each person was handed the name of another, and it was this person to whom we are to enact several acts of kindness over the next week, all in secret of course. Murmuring ensued as people pondered how they were to perform these acts and of course the inevitable question “who has me?” A visit from the less than friendly looking doctor took place concurrently as patients were treated in a revolving-door fashion.

Dinner consisted of meat balls and was followed by a program conducted by the current affairs committee. They co-ordinated a group-wide game of charades which, whilst intended to be played in small teams, soon degenerated to Toby and Jared Engelman acting out any movie they could think of. Thus concluded the first day of our final week on Kibbutz Yechiam.

Monday too was a work day which was given an early highlight by the inclusion of shakshuka on a usually dull breakfast menu. Lunch was again sandwiched by two sessions of work, and included another scrumptious meal of shaped schnitzel. A chill afternoon should have followed however after Lucy managed to cut her foot on a piece of glass, the resulting hype and trip to the emergency room ensured that the 

afternoon was anything but chill.

Dinner was the next occasion of note and was certainly a real event. Program co-ordinater Sarai was in attendance on kibbutz and brought with her things which excited many. Firstly, ingredients for us to cook up our very own Israeli dinner, and last but not least our beloved madrich Oded who returned from a week in London. We cooked up a storm, the menu featured two types of pasta, tomato and creamy mushroom, as well as shakshuka, Israeli salad, falafel and tahini. Most described it as the best meal consumed within the realms of kibbutz for the entirety of our stay. Dinner was proceeded by committee time where we were to plan our participant-led programs for the week. It was brightened up however, as Oded produced a Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate bar which exceeded a metre in length, a present for Jared Engelman’s birthday which he missed due to his absence. Pieces of the bar were doled out to all. Bedtime followed.

Tuesday was again spent labouring in our individual jobs, lunch was again schnitzel. Highlights of the day included a brief skype session with Angela from AUJS, as well as a talk from a representative of Gadna, our impending army experience at Sde Boker, who informed us of the ins and outs of our time as a temporary IDF soldier. Chill time was next, and it was followed by dinner which consisted of shaped schnitzel and felafel. The day was completed in beautiful fashion with a pyjama-clad celebration for Zoe’s 18^th birthday, a huge milestone on which we wish her a hearty mazal tov!

Another awesome few days down, 111 days to look forward to!

Jake

Aviv Days 34, 35 + 36

Now that we have been together as a group for over a month, firsts are a rarity, however Jared Engelman managed to achieve the rather arbitrary feat of being the first Aviv group member to celebrate their 19^th birthday. The latter half of our 34^th day on the program revolved almost solely around Jared’s milestone and was dedicated to making him feel at home and attempting to give him a birthday to remember. Following wakeup and a quick breakfast we were again put straight to work in our various disciplines, again without many remarkable developments. Work was split into two sessions, either side of lunch, for which we were served yet another meal of schnitzel. After the completion of our individual work days preparation got underway for Jared’s birthday bash. First we were to indulge in a beautiful birthday barbeque, consisting of both chicken and meat, as well as pita and Doritos, a meal which all were craving (of course with the exception of our vegetarians.) Our cooks, Toby and Jared Ellison, served up a delectable feast, and achieved the remarkable feat of managing to completely avoid a salmonella outbreak. Following our delightful meal, the boys and girls went their separate ways, he boys heading up to a nice spot overlooking a cliff face here they enjoyed a nice bonfire and a few beers. Whilst the girls had a nice night in enjoying each other’s company. It was truly a nice night, which Jared declared to be one of his best ever birthdays!

The next morning we awoke at a variety of hours thanks to our individual Ulpan start times. For my class, the lesson was dedicated to learning the Hebrew words for a multitude of transport-related words. Following Ulpan we powered up with a meal prior to engaging in a program run by the fitness committee, which consisted of a hike and the always popular 8 minute abs, for the girls. Whilst the boys participated in a 5-a-side soccer match which was fiercely contested. Showers then preceded dinner which featured meatballs. Our final activity of the day was a film screened in the moadon. As Grant rightly commented, our arguing over which movie to watch was just as entertaining as whatever movie we were to choose. Eventually, despite much bickering, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s Good Will Hunting was chosen, and those who stuck it out until the end of the film were more than happy with the choice, it is, after all, an absolute classic. Bed soon followed.

As with every morning prior to our departure for a free weekend there was a buzz in the air, and the words “Tel Aviv” featured in almost every second or third sentence. Thursday followed the mould of the day which it proceeded, in that Ulpan dictated the wake up times of every single one of us. Various breakfasts were purchased from the mini-market, some more healthy than others. Morah Meital educated us on some conversational nuances and greetings followed by food-related words which certainly will come in handy for some this weekend. An irregularly nice lunch followed, consisting of miniature sausage rolls, beef patties and rice. Next was family time in which we outlined our individual high and lowlights from the week past. Cleaning was next up, in order to prepare our rooms to the satisfaction of kibbutz staff before we headed off for the weekend. Finally, people headed off in taxis to Tel Aviv or similar destinations via Nahariya to enjoy their free weekends away from kibbutz life. A small percentage of us remain on Yechiam.

Another awesome few days down, 114 days to look forward to!

Jake

Aviv Days 32 + 33

As cabs and sheruts alike pulled into the gates of kibbutz Yechiam a sigh of relief was felt by the scores of Avivians seated within as each and every one came to terms with the fact that they actually missed the place which has become our home away from home. Following a weekend spent in a variety of different ways, some felt a significant downgrade from their accommodation and meals, and others the complete opposite, thus is the dichotomy created when some spend time in one Israeli city and some in another due to the difference in culture between various cities, for example the nightlife hotspot that is Tel Aviv and the more relaxed Haifa. Upon our return, greetings were brief as most realised the need to hit the hay owing to the imposed work wakeup times which for some are earlier than they returned home from a night out on the weekend.

Some awoke looking like they had never left, albeit not many, whilst the bulk of the group were feeling like they had never left, still substantially drained and ready for bed. All varieties of work took place, barring Rachel’s and my own employment in the chicken coop, which was soon the case on a permanent basis due to ‘insurance issues,’ no one is complaining… hence we joined the hospitality crew in painting a number of benches and railings. Lunch was consumed by all in the cheder ochel aside from the usual omission of Jared Engelman, Sarah and Alexa whose job in the kindergartens requires them to eat with the kids who they have quickly become pseudo-parents to. Contradictory to my previous comment, we have since become acclimatised to Yechiam food and it no longer takes a physical toll on anyone. Following lunch, due to Tracey and Daniella’s acknowledgement of the sleep-deprived state of many group members ‘compulsory nap time’ was enforced until dinner.

A brief program was scheduled to follow dinner, all things were set up and raring to go, however technical difficulties prevented the videos which were intended to be shown from being viewed. Instead, a barrage of amusing videos including Molly’s personal favourite ‘dubstep cat’ and Millie, Gabby and Alexa’s choice of ‘two camels in a car’ were shown at the request of a restless audience. Soon all departed, ready for a short period of chill time and the eventual reprieve of sleep.

Work again was scheduled for all group members however the hovering sickness which dwells within our group struck once more, preventing a upwards of four people from fulfilling their work commitments. Work continued as usual without any standout highlights as far as I am aware. Lunch consisted of shaped schnitzel whilst dinner featured non-shaped schnitzel, yet again the repetition of Yechiam’s menu was a talking point. The meals were separated by the viewing of an episode of the Simpsons which featured the family venturing to Israel and many being struck down by the infamous Jerusalem Syndrome, it made for rather poignant and humorous viewing, enjoyed by many, especially myself, an avid lover of the aforementioned show. Following dinner a program was run by the Judaism Committee (Jared Engelman, Zoe and Adi) which comprised of an examination of our worldwide and personal role models or heroes and the attributes which enable them to be classed as such, it got everyone thinking.

Finally after a long couple of days, sleep was finally attainable. However, some are still left wishing that the same taxis and sheruts which escorted them to the kibbutz following their weekends would pick them up again, however this time whisk them away into an opposite direction.

Another awesome couple of days down, 117 to look forward to!

Jake

Aviv Days 28 + 29!

By Wednesday working was well under way on kibbutz, with routines slowly being formulated in order to ensure people arrive to their various forms of employment both awake and fully nourished. For those relentless enough to get themselves out of bed in time for breakfast at the dining hall, reward was fully received as Basil served up shakshuka, a sight which had many of the girls’ mouths watering. Whilst others, such as myself, took the lazy option and purchased themselves cereal and milk in a fiendish plot to eliminate the need to make the trek all the way to the dining room whilst still in a state of sleep-depraved inebriation. Following breakfast all set off to work, in their various areas of kibbutz. The gardeners found themselves trimming the hedges of the local cemetery much to the disgust of some, myself and Rachel struggled to adapt to the demanding life of a chicken coop worker, and the hospitality crew found themselves much happier painting tables rather than having old chairs fill their airways with dust. The banana boys breakfast was mouth-watering as usual and those stationed in the various kibbutz kindergartens (Sarah, Jared and Alexa) continued to attempt to learn the names of their children whilst avoiding the laughter of their fellow employees and bosses due to their attempts to converse in a foreign tongue.

Work was separated by lunch, a meal which Basil called shwarma… it certainly was not shwarma. Pieces of meat in sauce along with salad and sides, not exactly what is universally recognised as shwarma. Following another hard session at work, we called it a day and undertook a program led by Amir about various forms of Israeli foreign affairs and a different perspective on them, through the use of YouTube videos by Israeli group Latma. Debate stemmed greatly from these clips, which often used stereotyping and offensive language to draw a response in its audience to get across its message, a method which not all agreed was effective.

Next up was dinner and finally a relaxing movie night rounded out the day. We watched The King’s Speech, a movie not enjoyed by all, however a decently popular choice. Thus ended another day on kibbutz and we were all prepared for another one ahead.

As we awoke on day 29, there was a buzz in the air owing to the knowledge that later that day we were to be released from kibbutz and granted another free weekend. The day began early for some, with Ulpan lessons being staggered for the three classes, beginning at 8:30, 10 and 11:45. After learning some new verbs and vocabulary which Morah Meital believed would benefit us out and about in Israel, we headed off to lunch. There was pasta and bolognaise sauce on offer, not a disappointing meal. Our next program began at roughly 4PM, promptly after our passing of a brief room inspection conducted by Tracey and Daniella, who will replace Oded for the week as he resides in London for the week due to a work commitment. Our program was led by a friend of Tracey, Ariel Shapiro, who recently made Aliyah. We debated various issues of Zionism, and post-Zionism, in small groups, in an overall very enjoyable manner. We were then allowed to depart for our free weekend, with many heading to Tel Aviv and Haifa, leaving 9 participants at Kibbutz Yechiam due to leave in the morning. As per usual, I shan’t be divulging the activities of any one’s free weekend.

Another awesome couple of days down, 121 days to look forward to!

Jake

Aviv Days 26 + 27!

Following a reasonably hectic and for some intoxicated Sunday night, owing to the occasion of Grant Goldman’s 18^th birthday, an early Hebrew lesson was not exactly what anyone had in mind. However the addition of the Hebrew word for sleep to our vocabularies will surely be appreciated by everyone other than Oded, and our prospective Hebrew-speaking bosses for our various kibbutz jobs. In addition to this “anachnu lomdim” (we learnt… sorry for showing off) a large range of adjectives which Morah Meital ensured us would be useful in daily Israeli life, particularly handy are the words “shitzer” (arrogant) and for the girls “me-ro-ar” (ugly) which they intend to use upon the legion of men who attempt to try their luck at each and every club in Tel Aviv. This Ulpan also saw the beginners, or dumb class, as we have come to be fondly known, split into two due to a number of disruptions caused by a talkative side of the classroom.

Following Ulpan was lunch, chill time and then a program beginning at 5PM which saw us split into groups of roughly 6 or 7 in which we were handed a number of excerpts from various books as well as the torah and were asked to summarise the messages within. We came to the conclusion that the texts pointed towards the family values and traditions passed down in a number of way, shapes and forms, including but not limited to a name. We were then asked to do a bit of research in the always entertaining urban dictionary, as to the definitions provided for our first names. Some believed their definitions were accurate, others not so much, but all in all, laughter was the result. Finally, we were supplied a list of the origins of various Jewish surnames, some were provided clarity on the past occupations of their family whilst others, such as myself with the ridiculously uncommon last name of Rosengarten, left without an increase in knowledge as to the long last origins of a surname which they take for granted on a daily basis.

Dinner was the always disappointing usual, shaped chicken accompanied by lentils and couscous. Our final activity of the night began at 8PM, led by the current affairs committee of Alex, Alexa, Grant, Jason and Claudia, it was a jeopardy-style trivia night featuring the topics of politics, sport, historical fact, gossip, random and the ever-mysterious miscellaneous. After much toil and surprise, a winner was crowned before all headed off on their various paths, all which eventually led to our individual beds, most at a reasonable hour, owing largely to the knowledge that in the morning we would begin our first days of work on kibbutz, eager to impress our new quasi-employers.

Tuesday morning saw Avivians rise at a variety of hours, the earliest of which being Adi, Jared Ellison, Toby and Harry’s pre-6AM rise thanks to their early start, working on the banana plantation for the very first time. The latest start time belonged to Jason and Claudia who were due to begin work with the kibbutz horses at 12:30PM. As everyone began working news began filtering back as to the difficulty and fun factor of each occupation. The gardeners (Jenna, Lucy, Bec and Molly) all enjoyed their first days immensely, becoming mates with the gardening crew and consuming wafers and Arabic coffee as thought they had never even heard of it before! In fact, all unequivocally enjoyed their first days as kibbutz employees other than those placed in hospitality (Zoe, Millie, Azi, Daena, Gabby, Robbie, and for the day Rachel and myself due to the temporary closure of the chicken coop) whose days included the stacking and cleaning of dusty old chairs in the dining room, needless to say none were impressed with boss Basil, delightfully dubbed Bastille by Emma, who along with Grant had been working under him from day one on kibbutz.

Following our shifts, a program was scheduled for 3:30PM but was cancelled due to the occupation of the activity room by our new French neighbours who will be residing in our vicinity for a 10 day period. Come 6PM, after a protracted saga we were finally privileged to location of the washing facilities at the kibbutz, most rejoiced at the prospect of finally having clean clothes to wear. Dinner was next and we were fed sausages prior to a short program run by Tracy about perspective and life, painted in an economic and graphic method. Bedtime and chill time rounded out another good day.

Another awesome couple of days down, 123 days to look forward to!

Jake