Spring is well along,
School will follow soon after,
And then
Kvutza!
Imagine!
It's just a matter of days before construction crews will appear at Kvutza sites all over the country and put into effect the planning they've been doing all winter. And once the Kvutza has been awakened from its winter's sleep, then comes the time of the year that every Habonim member has been waiting for impatiently-the opening of Kvutza and the glorious days that will follow!
All we have to do is pack our duds and hop a train or bus, and presto, we are in Kvutza!
Yet, some of us don't feel so easy about this packing business. Therefore, let me-a veteran-give you a few hints as to what to pack and what not to pack.
First, clothes. Drag out all your old clothes, clothes that are too dilapidated for city wear, antiquated clothes that you have long ago forgotten about, and you will have a great part of your Kvutza wardrobe. Nothing is too bad for Kvutza when it comes to clothes, because by the time you go home, very little will remain of them anyway. You see, we are very active in Kvutza.
But your clothes must have one important virtuethey must be able to endure rough treatment. Also make sure that they are washable. You are going to wash them your self, and just between us, we know what kind of a laundry man you are.
Have your wardrobe include work shirts (for we all work), play shirts, because we play, too, and dress shirts for Shabbat and Sundays. Our parents are always fussy about the way we look when they come to visit us so we might as well look our best.
Oh, bless me, I almost* forgot to mention the pants that go with the shirts. By all means, don't forget your pants, haverim. Shorts or slacks or anything that goes under that general heading by a stretch of the imagination will do.
One item that should be carefully chosen is shoes. Have a pair of hard-soled shoes for hiking and a pair of isoft-soled ones for play and work. And don't forget the shoe polish, because I'm warning you, I'm not going to lend you mine. Besides, I'm sure to forget to bring some, in which case, I'll have to use yours.
Brrr! Nights are sometimes cold in Kvutza. You'll need a sweater, a warm jacket, and warm pajamas. Your pajamas must not be too nice though because your neighbor might mistake them for fancy slacks and borrow them for use on some important occasion.
Mind you, it can rain even in Kvutza. But we don't let that interfere with our activities. We have indoor games in the dining hall, reading and study groups, and FUN! But in order to get around in presentable shape, you'll need a raincoat and boots. So don't forget these important items.
Yet, we don't always hide from water. When it doesn't come to us (in the form of rain), we go to it (in the form of a swimming pool). That's just to remind you that you'll need a bathing suit, a cap, and a bathrobe.
Although I know that you are not intending to do much sleeping (how often I've heard a haver shout into the face of his madrich: "Do you think I came all this way to go to sleep?"), yet you can never tell. Perhaps you'll feel like sleeping for some strange reason one night. So you might as well take along some sheets and warm blankets.
That's the general idea. About filling in the details, my advice is that you comply with your mother's demands. If she is unreasonable in the amount of underwear she makes you take, you will have use for the extra pairs on masquerade nights.
Birdie Dekelbaum, 1944