When a group of Bogrim proposed the idea of T’nuat Lomedet at last year’s Veida, there was a lot of controversy surrounding the idea behind the seminar, for a variety of different reasons. However with some hard work and lots of commitment, the idea was pursued and the seminar took place two weeks ago.

The idea of the weekend was to educate all the tsvatim for the upcoming summer machanot. Each tsevet would learn about the Tochniot for the particular camps. Once the schedule had been devised, and the aims of all the peulot had been decided, it was up to the members of the movement to write the sessions. Alongside the written peulot, it was also decided that we would invite external speakers to the seminar, in order to educate the madrichim. We managed to attract some excellent speakers such Louise Ellman MP, Roy Graham from the UJIA, Dr Brian Fox from Menorah Synagogue as well as many more educators.

On Thursday 23rd July, 120 madrichim rocked up to a location in West Yorkshire, for what promised to be a wonderful weekend. We went back to the good old days, with everyone sleeping in tents and eating in a marquee. Although everyone was a little dubious at first, they soon settled into their lovely accomodation. With all the introductions out the way, the first evening activity took place. The peula focused on the history of Habonim and was planned by the returning shnat group. It guided all the madrichim through the years of Habonim Dror, and really set the context for the weekend.

Everyone arose early on Friday morning to attend Mifkad where everyone bellowed out their camp songs. Soon after mifkad and breakfast, all the tsvatim went of to start their sessions, which included Habonim and its connection to Judaism, different types of Zionism and a session on co-existence run by windows for peace. During lunch, there was a panel made up of ex Habonim Dror Bogrim, who answered questions on Habonim Dror past and present. The afternoon saw much of the same, with individual sessions being run for the different tsevets. We were lucky enough to be welcomed by a Holocaust survivor, who spoke to the sayarim tsevet.

We welcomed Shabbat with a wonderful service lead by Dr Brian fox, and enjoyed a lovely dinner, before finishing the evening with a camp fire and a musical!

Saturday saw the madrichim enjoy more educational sessions that were run by external educators. Having visited a few sessions myself, I found them to be really engaging and inspirational at times. After dinner, we were joined by an Israeli dance teacher, who taught a few Israeli dances to the joy of most of the madrichim!

After final avodah on Sunday morning, everyone left engaged and prepared for pioneer. An amazing weekend, which can only have increased the education for all our madrichim leading this summer.

A big hey’ach hey’dad to all those who helped make Tnua Lomedet the success that it was!  Here’s to next year!