Empowerment, from Gabriola Island, B.C.

by: Michael Barrett, Madatz from Machaneh Miriam

Although this word is often used in our daily life at Machaneh, and happens to be the theme for the summer I found myself not truly understanding the importance of empowerment not only individually but also as a youth movement. Luckily, I was able to draw upon the resources of machaneh, and contacted our resident philosopher (and merkaz chinuch), Zac Myers. “Empowerment is that you have the power to make changes,” Zac told me, but empowerment is also more. Empowerment is a recognition that an individual can make changes through their choices. Through personal responsibility an individual’s actions have an impact and by being aware of that impact, the individual can act accordingly. “Being in a youth movement, empowerment can promote change,” as we all can be part of something greater than ourselves. Zac stressed individual empowerment leads to collective empowerment, that empowered individuals create an empowered movement. For Habonim Dror, empowerment is a method of strength to change society. Our youth movement requires action and reponsibility, but empowerment is more than that. “You need to take responsibility to be empowered, but responsibility doesn’t mean empowerment.” Remembering that true empowerment starts on the individual level, it relies on knowledge, organization, resources, and relationships. When an individual takes the effort to empower him/her self, they’re taking the first step to a collective goal, such as the pillars of Habonim Dror.

Rosh’s Log, 7/29/99, Machaneh Miriam

by: Jared Matas

Gabriola Island, B.C. - We are half-way, oops, make that three quarters of the way through our short-but-sweet two week second session. Now that we have just about all learned each others names, we are getting ready for the last Shabbat of the session, and to start third session. This week was a busy one: - Bonim Bash, Yom Madatz, Tiyul, and some thought provoking peulot shickvot. This session’s chinuch theme is Jewish Social Thinkers so everyday we’ve been meeting people such as Moses Mendelsohn, Baruch Spinoza, Ahad Ha’am as well as the Incidentally Jewish Sages like Sigmund Freud, Albert Einstein, Woody Allen and the Beastie Boys. Other highlights of this summer include the Madatz Avodah “pier-project” raft they built at the chof, also known as ‘Becky,’ and the almost finished beach volleyball court on the Septic Field.

The recently completed tiyulim were enjoyed by all kvutsot. The Amelim and Chalutzim (our newest kvutsah - eizeh pioneers!) hung out at Little Quallicum Falls. The Sayarim were sacrificed to the mosquitos at Skutz Falls, while the Chotrim trekked the 20 km Cowichan River Footpath. The Shomrim got to swim at the top of Bald Mountain, while the Tzofim played in snow along the Elk River Path in Strathcona. The Bonim biked around Cowichan River and survived with only a few scraped knees. It was clear to me from the look on everyone’s face when we met up to catch the ferry in Nanaimo that these tiyulim were memorable and fun experiences for all involved.