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.