Published: 10 August 2021
Last updated: 11 November 2024
Under the agreement between two rival Labor Zionist movements, the programs will have a youth leader from each group
AFTER A DECADE-LONG ideological struggle between two Labor Zionist movements, an agreement has been reached between them to work together in facilitating gap year programs for all Habonim Dror branches around the world.
As part of the mediation process, there will be two madrichim (leaders) on the program who will each bring their own worldview in the example they set for youth.
One will be affiliated with HeChalutz, an organisation formed 15 years ago by immigrants to Israel (olim) who live in intentional communities in Israel devoted to the betterment of society through educational and social enterprises, associated with Dror Israel.
The other will be selected by Habonim Dror Olami (HDO), an establishment organisation with strong connections to the kibbutz movement.
The program is fully sponsored by MASA and has the blessing of the Zionist Federation of Australia. At the most recent ZFA executive meeting, President Jeremy Liebler congratulated Habo for negotiating this accommodation.
Habonim Dror Australia overcame the many obstacles posed by Covid to create a densely-packed six-month journey for the 16 participants from Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Queensland and New Zealand.
The group will begin by touring around Israel, before heading to Kibbutz Ravid near the Lake Galilee (Kinneret) where they will be joined by participants from the US, Canada and the UK. After three months of agricultural work, as well as learning Hebrew and Jewish and Zionist studies, the group will head to Jerusalem for an intensive study tour, where they will work with various organisations representing many facets of civil society.
