We are pleased to invite you to join us for a panel discussion on how HDNA alumni and friends have been facing the coronavirus crisis in Israel! HDNA Workshoppers and alumni are leading inspiring efforts to provide mutual aid and youth movement education in an isolating time. They will report on how it’s all going, and address the question: How do we build a just Israeli society while meeting its needs during a time of crisis?
WHAT: Panel on HDNA alumni and friends coronavirus response in Israel WHO: HDNA ma’apilimot, bogrimot, and parents WHEN: Monday, May 11, 2pm ET, 11am PT, 9pm Israel
Last week, HDNA took a leading role in Remember the Murder, Stand up for Democracy, a coalition of Jewish and Zionist groups in New York City that came together to commemorate the anniversary of the murder of Yitzchak Rabin. The event welcomed participants from across the political spectrum for a rare and important chance for dialogue, a way to commemorate and resist the incitement that led to Rabin’s death. Below is the text of a speech read at the event by HDNA’s own Sadie Fowler (WS 68), which she read at the close of the event.
Last year I was in Israel on a gap year program with Habonim Dror called Workshop. I spent the year living out my values of socialism and Shivyon Erech HaAdam, or equality of human value, with my kvutza (group). While I was volunteering at a youth movement center, I got to participate in Asepha Isarelite, together with other youth movement members.
Asepha Israelite was an amazing experience for me. When I first got there, I was immediately overwhelmed because there were so many people. All of the youth movements in Israel had chanichim there. The sixteen of us from Workshop got separated into different circles. Each circle aimed to have people from each movement there. Every circle was tasked with debating a topic about Israeli society and coming to a common decision among them.
Check out what Habonim Dror North America chaverimot have been up to this year in our annual report. Thousands of participants engaged at ken events across North America, a thriving teen activism program, and trailblazing Progressive Labor Zionist education…the stories are all inside. Happy reading!
Habonim Dror Camp Galil, a progressive Jewish overnight camp, is looking for radical, passionate people, ages 18 and up, to come work in Ottsville, PA., this summer. If you have an interest in social justice, education, youth empowerment, exploration of Jewish values, or cooperative and collective living, we are looking for you! Working at Camp Galil, you will live, learn, make decisions, and have fun with the people with whom you do meaningful and important work. Plus, we have the most beautiful sunsets, a huge swimming pool, and Owowcow, a delicious, local ice cream shop, just down the road! Job opportunities include working as a bunk counselor, visual arts specialist, life guard, ropes and hiking trip specialist, driver, or as a part of our kitchen staff. All levels of experience are welcome! To learn more about Camp Galil, please visit our website: http://www.campgalil.org/. If you have questions or would like to learn more, please contact Head of Camp, Arielle Schwartz (rosh@campgalil.org) or Executive Director, David Weiss (david@campgalil.org).If you are interested in applying, the first part of the application is here: https://campgalil.campintouch.com/ui/forms/application/staff/App
This coming summer, a California camp is taking the lead from Habonim Dror Camp Moshava by adding all-gender housing for campers. Mosh has offered such housing since 2017, two summers ago.
“While the move is pioneering, it isn’t precedent setting: According to the Foundation for Jewish Camp, Habonim Dror’s Camp Moshava in Maryland has offered all-gender cabins since 2017, and the foundation itself offered the option to camp counselors attending its Cornerstone Seminar last year.”
Habonim Dror North America, Habonim Dror Australia, Habonim Dror New Zealand, and Hashomer Hatzayir North America members gathered at the annual Hakhel conference.
HDNA members from our communities in Philadelphia, Manhattan, and Brooklyn gathered with other Jews creating intentional communities at the annual Hakhel conference — including many of our Habo friends from Australia and New Zealand, and our partners from Hashomer Hatzair!
WASHINGTON — A number of Jewish camping organizations wrote to US President Donald Trump urging him to keep in place a program that grants visas to foreigners who work in summer camps. Read full story
Sam Newman starts a cheer after lunch at Habonim Dror Camp Moshava on Monday in Street, Md. The campers rewrote their cheers this summer to use special gender-neutral Hebrew plural nouns. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)
When Zev Shofar, a 14-year-old from Takoma Park, started going to Jewish summer camp seven years ago, the children all learned the Hebrew words to introduce themselves. “Chanich” means a male camper; “chanichah” means a female camper.
But what if Zev didn’t feel male or female — neither a chanich nor a chanichah? Read more ….
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