Machaneh is over, but the memories will linger forever

VARIOUS

Habonim Dror SA

By: Caleb Lester and Yossi Bank, Publications Tzevet

2017 was a resounding success for Habonim Dror. Our madrichim and chanichim flourished  and we saw record-breaking numbers at our mini machanot, on the Shorashim Israel tour, at the April seminar and at Veida. Additionally, the Batim (movement houses) were always bustling. Successful day-camps and activities were run for chanichim, and madrichim were engaged in, and inspired by, weekly meetings, events and discussions. Given this success, it was only fitting that our biggest machaneh for the past five years was called Machaneh Na’aleh (We will rise).

Our 2017 machaneh lived up to its name, creating a utopia on our beautiful Onrus campsite for more than 800 young Jews, and taking our movement to new heights. Whether it was dancing our hearts out at Havdallah, cheering until our throats hurt at the soccer and touch-rugby tournaments, or swimming and tanning on our very own beach, fun and excitement were the order of the day.

The educational engagement was also inspiring, with chanichim and madrichim grappling with various topics and conversations relevant to our movement. Each day saw three dynamic peulot (educational activities) that enabled chanichim to learn, teach and expland their knowledge in an informal and fun setting. We explored our identities as Jews and as Zionists through learning about Judaism and Israel, and by finding ways to have a deep, personal connection with the Jewish nation and Israel. We examined issues facing South African and Israeli civil society, as well questioning what role our youth movement could play both locally and globally.

The laughter and silliness, combined with the serious ideological engagement, created an environment wherein each individual felt affirmed. Belonging to the movement was an ideal way to make friends, fulful one’s potential and enrich one’s life. A perfect example of this is our former Mazkir and Rosh Machaneh David Schwartz, who just a few days ago, made Chalutzik Aliyah. He will be joining our Mazkira and Rosh Machaneh of 2016, Kelly Brook, in working with youth movements in Israel and living a life filled with Habo values.

With the solid foundation laid by Machaneh Na’aleh, we know Habonim Dror will grow and improve even further in 2018. We look forward to sharing our successes with you as we continue to build our Jewish community.

Aleh V’Hagshem (Rise up and fulfil)

Netzer’s Machaneh Kol HaNeshama

By: Kendyll Jacobson

Nothing could compare to this machaneh, and we mean NOTHING! From the moment the chanichim hopped off the bus at our beautiful campsite, we madrichim knew we were in for a treat.

Our madrichim tzevet was made up of the most dynamic group, with eight out of 21 madrichim joining from all around the globe, including Australia, England, Israel and Brazil. The Brazilians were a new addition to Netzer SA, as we initiated a direct exchange programme with Colonia, our sister movement in Brazil, sending one of our madrichim to their machaneh in January.

The number of participants increased this year, and we are optimistic that the coming year will be even brighter. We had chanichim from our three main branches – Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town – and this year, one chanich came all the way from Swaziland.

Some of the highlights of machaneh included our sunny visits to the beach, dam time, Colour Wars and, of course, the disco! We decided to switch up our structure of Colour Wars by making it Kef Wars. The whole day was dedicated to pure “kef” (fun), through a variety of activities for each child to participate in.

When asked what his favourite part of machaneh was, one of the chanichim, Les, said without hesitation: “When Sheleg (his shichvah) did the low-ropes activity. And when we did speed dating to get to know each other.“

The ruach on camp was incredible, and at every turn there was someone singing old and new songs. So, we decided to introduce a Song Leader as an official role, and Rhiannon (RSY-Netzer in the UK) was the chosen madricha. Each Shabbat service, Channukah candle lighting service and daily Ma’amad service marked an opportunity to teach the chanichim new tunes, let them explore their Judaism and connect with each other. We loved the input and emphasis that having a Song Leader created and we look forward to making this role a regular thing.

Our Israel Day was the perfect blend of Zionism, diaspora living and fascinating Israeli culture. Luckily, we had the community shlichim, Bari and Michal, as well as the Shinshins visit us throughout Israel Day, orchestrating this experience – who better to do so?

All in all, as we look back on what machaneh meant to all of us, we can confidently say that it was the year that made us all so proud to be Netzerniks. There was no better way to either start your time at Netzer, as is the case for so many of our chanichim, or end it – as is the case for me and a few other madrichim – than with this machaneh.

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the year and those who helped make sure this machaneh was a success. Toda Raba! Wishing everyone a wonderful, safe and successful 2018.

Bnei Akiva

By: Martin Skudicky, Rosh Machaneh Bnei Akiva 2017

You can barely stay seated on the bus, chatting with friends, empty Nandos packets all over. You’ve barely slept, being too excited and simply running off of too much adrenaline. Next thing you hear someone scream I see it, it’s there! You look outside the window, and there it is… Home-the Bnei Akiva Campsite.

It’s a feeling you cannot truly describe and barely similar to anything else on earth. But, if you’ve ever had the immense blessing of spending 3 weeks on the most unreal camp, you will understand.

This past year, we truly went to a whole new level! Machaneh Nitzavim Hayom reached for new heights in all areas. The journey we embarked on, with over 1000 fellow Jews, proved to be a non-stop, gees-filled experience where we were all able to grow, learn, bond and best of all, have the most unbelievavble time.

With beach days, inspirational Ruach (spirit) sessions, sports until the early AM, lifelong friendships formed, life-changing tochniot (programmes), moving dark tisch, pumping silent disco, inflatables, midnight madness, chessed (kindness) and all the other incredibly exciting things that made up camp – it truly was an unforgettable experience.

On Machaneh Nitzavim Hayom, we strived to create a time, energy and place for over one thousand people to grow in their love for Judaism, to strengthen and build their connection to Eretz Yisrael and to cement a passion for being a part of Am Yisrael. Last year’s camp theme was centred around the idea of standing up, taking charge and combating a mind-set of apathy.

It is up to us to realise the potential latent with-in each and every one of us, and know we have a purpose to fulfil, a reason for being here. On Machaneh Nitzavim Hayom, we were 100% committed to shaping, nurturing and growing this drive in each and every one of our campers while at the same time giving them the best time possible!

We now must take this passion and drive, inculcated in the Bnei Akiva ideology, and commit ourselves to bettering this world, to living with a sense of purpose and to shaping our future into one of meaning and growth.

Bnei Akiva is gearing up for another extremely successful year, please G-d, with all our programmes, sniff (group) meetings, Shabbos minyanim and brochas, winter camp, summer camp, seminars, Israel tours and of course to continue building the amazing relationships between our world class Madrichim and our beloved Chanichim.

Get ready… because Bnei Akiva 2018 is here!

B’virkat Torah ve Avoda