Gadna

I have just come back to the kibbutz from down south, after my week on Gadna. Gadna was set up primarily for young Israelis at about the age of 16, just before they begin their army process. It was set up to teach kids about the IDF, its roles and responsibilities. It also aims to introduce people to army life and discipline. They set aside this week especially for Garin Tzabar, to introduce us to the army we will be joining in a couple months time.

All the Garinim from across the country came to Gadna this week, and it was a lot of fun seeing the European Garin, who I hadn't seen since the seminars in the UK. 

It wasn't exactly the most challenging week - there was a lot of standing around and jogging 10 metres or so at a time. But we did go out into the field and were introduced to some of the basic skills taught to combat soldiers. All in all, I didn't take the week very seriously (none of us did) and I enjoyed being with my Garin as a tzevet, or team. 

Out in the field

That being said, it marked one more step towards my draft date. Wearing the mismatching and ill-fitting uniform reminded me that very soon I'll be wearing it for real. 

This week I have my Tzav Rishon, my first test with the army, where I will find out my profile. Will update the blog with the news....

First week as an Israeli/Countdown to my Tzav Rishon

It's strange to think that it's only been just over a week since I got here. Last Shabbat was my first as an Israeli, and it was a special feeling watching the sun setting over the hills around the Kibbutz on Friday afternoon. That Shabbat, the previous Garin had a "Shabbat Garin", where as many of them as possible got out of the army for Shabbat to spend it together on Lavi. It was interesting to hear where they all were in the army and the advice they had for us. That Shabbat, I also met a woman here who knew my Booba and Zeida (grandma and grandpa). She almost began to cry when she heard my surname! It was they who had persuaded her to settle on Kibbutz Lavi. There's a certain historical circularity about it, as my Booba and Zeida were connected with the Kibbutz (see "The Interview, the Kibbutz and Historical Circularity").

The following day was full of bureaucratic necessities, and that day I received my Teudat Zehut (ID card). I even got a nice message from the woman who sorted my papers.

Later on in the week we had a Hebrew test, which will determine which Ulpan class we'll be placed in. I feel like it went well, but we shall see! I'm working hard on my Hebrew at the moment, and taking advantage of the time I have. Whatever happens, I do NOT want to go to Michve Alon, the army Ulpan.

Today we spent the morning working in the fields on the kibbutz. For the first time since I arrived, I had time to think as I worked. Looking out towards the hills, I realised I'm actually here, I made it. After 4 years of expecting and planning, I'm actually here. 

Of course I miss my family a lot but we still find ways to keep in constant contact!

Next week all of Garin Tzabar will be making their way down south for Gadna. Gadna is there to give Israelis a taste of army life. It will be weird going back, because I was there 4 years ago on Marva, a similar two month course, but judging from Marva it won't be taken too seriously and will be a lot of fun!

We now have our date for our Tzav Rishon, just before Rosh Hashana, the week after Gadna. The Tzav Rishon is the most important army test, and will determine where I can and can not serve. It's a day comprised of a medical, an interview, psychological and psychometric tests. The interview will ascertain my Hebrew level, so the countdown begins to improve my Hebrew as much as possible!

Will update the blog next with the fun happenings of Gadna!

My New Home

The pasts two days have been mad to say the least - I have made Aliyah, given a speech to hundreds of people, met my new Garin and moved into my new home on Kibbutz Lavi. Here are the details.

So Tuesday night I landed in Israel. I can't explain the feeling of seeing the lights of Tel Aviv in the distance as we approached the airport. There is no feeling like it. I could just imagine generations and generations of Olim catching that first glimpse of Israel. What a feeling.

After landing, I went to fill in paperwork (which took hours and hours) and was lucky enough to have a little welcoming party waiting for me! That night I stayed at my family in Ra'anana and I had to be at Tel Aviv University for the Garin Tzabar opening ceremony the next morning.

Before coming to Israel, I was asked to give a speech at the ceremony at which Prime Minister Netanyahu was supposed to be attending. He recently had an operation, so Mrs. Bibi ended up going in his place. There were all sorts of dignitaries there and it was a privilege and unbelievable honour to have been asked to speak.

At the ceremony I met my Garin for the first time. I was nervous at first because I didn't know how I would settle in. I hadn't been with them for the seminars and they already knew each other, but my nerves were pointless. I've joined a great Garin and I'm enjoying getting to know them all.

Most of the things we're doing until Rosh Hashanah are geared towards introducing us to the Kibbutz and Kibbutz life. For now, I'll be getting my bearings around my new home.

My new, humble home.

Aliyah...today is the day

The day has finally come, the day I've dreamed about and imagined since I was a boy. After all the goodbyes, my room is empty and my bags are packed. I have to say, today is an overwhelming one. It goes without saying that leaving behind loved ones and friends is not an easy thing to do. It has been the most difficult thing I have ever done.

Actions are far greater than words, so I will keep this post very brief and catch my flight. Besides, no words could do justice to how I feel on this day. But I will end with a quote from a great Zionist leader and doer. Upon the establishment of the State of Israel, David Ben-Gurion wrote to Chaim Weizmann, Israel's first President, thanking him for his tireless efforts in helping to establish the nascent State. In his response, Weizmann wrote:

"I am fully convinced that all who have and will become citizens of the Jewish State will strive their utmost to live up to the new opportunity which history has bestowed upon them."

Time to strive.