Our First Days Together

What a roller coaster ride…. On Thursday, we went to the Garin Tzabar welcoming ceremony at Tel Aviv University. It was great to meet all the kids together and to celebrate with them their aliya. The ceremony was nice though they were too fair in letting everyone who wanted to feel important speak so it lasted for a bit long. Afterwards the kids got their first introduction to Israel – hurry up and wait… They were rushed out of the hall to take a group photo and then spent one half hour waiting for the photographer to take three shots… Too bad they are not paid by the hour.


Believe it or not, it's almost two weeks later and maybe I'll finish writing the blog today… The kids came to the kibbutz after the ceremony in Tel Aviv and were dead tired but after they saw the welcoming that the kibbutz prepared for them, they came alive again. They were met by most of the kibbutz with music and fanfare. A few short welcoming speeches were followed by the kids singing a song for them and the kindergartners doing a dance. Afterwards there were games and a festive dinner for all. Everyone forgot how tired they were.


On Friday after Shacharit there was a special breakfast followed by the beginning of orientation. We then went for a short walk to become familiarized with the various kibbutz service branches (laundry, store, library, dining hall, etc.). We had our first meal (Friday lunch) in the dining hall which has not changed for the last 50 years. This was the first time of many more to come. The afternoon was free time and visitors came to meet the new immigrants. We had a Kabbalat Shabbat, Shabbat candles were lit, and we all went to the kibbutz Shul. Following the T'filla, we had Shabbat dinner for all the members of the garin and with the staff and their families. It was great!!! The next morning T'filla at 8:30 AM and then a Kiddush for the garin. Shabbat lunch here is early (11:30 AM!!!) and we all ate in the dining hall. It was pretty hot (over 100 degrees) so only the foolish and brave went for a walk to the refet (cow shed) and the small animals area. The afternoon was spent getting a well deserved Shabbat nap followed by Se'udat Shilishit. We had a very touching Havdalla and then Motzei Shabbat the kids had a "poyke" gathering with the kibbutz kids. "Poyke" is a slow cooking pot used for making different types of stews over an open fire. They are very popular with the younger generation in Israel since the preparation and cooking time encourages social interaction by those involved. (My son's nickname is "poyke"- guess why….). It went very well and both sectors (Garin Tzabar and kibbutznikim) blended together very well. The first few days were a great success.

Here They Come

Today we begin to meet the first Garin members whom are arriving. We're lucky that we're close to the airport so that we can go there and back in half an hour. Three trips today. Tomorrow morning we'll be meeting the Nefesh B'Nefesh flight with another seven members aboard. Yesterday there was a big write up in the paper Yediot Achronot about Garin Tzabar which included pictures of four members of the Beerot Yitzchak Garin (including someone else who just joined us – we're now 19 in number). Our pride is beginning to spill over.

Before Shabbat, we hung up a big poster with pictures of all the members, their names, their native city, and age. It was a hit especially with their counterparts age-wise on the kibbutz… We're beginning to plan their first days here down to the smallest details. No matter how much we try to make sure that everything is planned out, we're bound to forget something or the reality will differ from our expectations.


Just to prove my point, I am continuing my writing two days later!! On Monday, I picked up Dina, Zehava, and Ari. On Tuesday, Vered (the kibbutz boss), Suri (Garin Tzabar staff), Dorian (Garin Tzabar staff), Dina, Zehava, and I went to meet the Nefesh B'Nefesh flight. It was very emotional and I found myself wiping tears from time to time. Ale, Zvi, Eithan, Galya, Ezra, Cara, Kendall, and Lisa were on the flight. The garin made big news. Ezra was interviewed by the Jerusalem Post, Cara and Lisa by the channel 2 news, Kendall by the Rafi Reshef show, Galya by the Israeli broadcasting authority news, and Tzvi by some other paper. How proud we feel knowing that these highly motivated and devoted individuals are coming to Beerot Yitzchak.


Tomorrow is the big day. The entire staff will be there in Tel Aviv and we'll get there early to spend some time with the kids.. Afterwards to the Kibbutz (about an hour drive) for a short welcoming ceremony and dinner for all. Friday will be orientation and then, thank G-d for Shabbat. 


Got to go to sleep at a decent hour for a change. Need my sleep for the next couple of days….