|
HD1 & HD2
All the groups said goodbye to the kibbutzniks and left their kibbutzim early this morning. Each group (HD1 and HD2) had a reunion with the other members of their kvutsah where they rested and played some games. Both groups then travelled to Isfiya, a Druze Village, where they met Druze, learnt all about their religion and ate lunch with them.
There are very few Druze worldwide (around 1 million) but there is a small and distinct community living within the North of Israel. They use the Arabic language and follow a social pattern very similar to the Arabs of the region. The Druze faith keeps its tenets secret. They are publicly open about very few details of their faith and they do not accept converts nor recognize conversion from their religion to another. This is because the Druze were violently and brutally persecuted for centuries by other religious communities.
It is also against their religion to rule their own country. The Druze are to remain loyal to the leaders of the land in which they reside and obey its laws. Therefore, in Israel, Druze choose to vote in elections and usually identify themselves as Israeli citizens. Israeli Druze have also served in the Israeli army, voluntarily since 1948.
After lunch, both groups travelled back to Hachof Hayarok for their free weekend. Those leaving the group were picked up from the kibbutz and t hose who stayed behind from HD1 and HD2 joined together and had Kabbalat Shabbat, which involved lighting the candles, blessing the bread and wine and singing Shabbat songs. After dinner, the group sat together to have a shiron (song) session with the guitars.
Useful Links:
Click here to go backward to day 10!
Click here to go forward to day 12!
Click here to return to Israel 2005 Index!
Click here to visit our Chinuch section!
Click here for a 5 day weather forecast in Israel!
Click here for Ha'aretz Daily!
Click here for Jerusalem Post!
Click here for a detailed map of Israel!
Click here to listen to Israeli radio!
Click here and type in "2005-e-hd1" for more information on HD1!
Click here and type in "2005-e-hd2" for more information on HD2!
Did you know?
Israel's Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth at -1,300 feet or -400 metres!
Photos:
Click here for photos of HD1 and HD2 in Israel!
Click here for departure photos from Heathrow! |
