Current Drachim Group (2008 - 2009)

September 2008

The first week on Drachim has been a week of new experiences and new friendships. The first two days were spent hiking and camping in the Judean desert outside of Jerusalem, the hike ended as they walked into Jerusalem. We had an opening ceremony and L'Chaim on the Hass Promenade looking out over Jerusalem. Although all were a little dishevelled and tired, it was a beautiful moment and the group felt a great sense of achievement and were looking forward to the week ahead.

We then headed to the Agron Hostel for the rest of the orientation week. We spent a lot of time orientating the group in Jerusalem and talking about living as a group for the year, what that means and how they want to run their own community. Through the week they discussed and debated their Takanon (group contract) in order to create a code that they want to live by as a group for the next year. On saturday night after shabbat they all signed on their contract and had a ceremony where they delared themselves as a group for the year. On sunday night they had a party hosted by the UJIA with other groups from Britain so they got to meet people who they would be living with on Machon for the next four months.

Yesterday morning I accompanied them to the Machon where they registered on the program and met and got to know their teachers and madrichim. Today they headed off for another two day hike and camping trip to the Dead Sea area with all of the students on Machon. I have been in contact with them and while a little nervous they all seem happy and willing to embrace all the new experiences and people they are encountering.

They are an amazing group, and we are very excited to be able to spend the year with them. Their energy, enthusiasm and spirit will make for a great year for all of them.

The weekly e-mails from now on will be written by a different member of the group each week who will recap what they've bee doing that week and send photo's.

Shabbat shalom until next week....

Naomi & Michal
Drachim Mekashrot (coordinators)

For photos through out the year: www.snapfish.com
Email address: garin.gliter@gmail.com
Password: gliter