Alex reopens Dror for Habonim in Glasgow!

Here’s an article about Glasgow ken.  Yes that’s right we have a ken in Glasgow.  Glasgow is in Scotland.  Scotland is north of England.  Glasgow is far, far away from the ‘Habonim towns’ of Manchester, Leeds and London.  It is sometimes easy to forget about Glasgow.  But not any more…

Far up in the north of the British Isles, where the gales blow fiercely inland from the North Sea and the rain buckets down hard on the Heather-covered ground, a magical safe-haven from the harsh Scottish winter is proving rather popular.  This magical place is opposite a supermarket called Asda.  Yes you’ved guessed it..the Habo bayit!

Glasgow ken is truly buzzing this year.  Roshed by Alex Barnes, a lomed just back from Tour, numbers have been very steady since it kicked off last November.  The ken has had several meetings, gathering on a fortnightly basis, with numbers exceeding 25 chanichim (12-14years old). 

The ken madrichim tsevet comprises of 8 committed 15-17 year olds.  The team (Leoni Bennett, Lauren Kaye, Adam Barnett, Zoe Eddleman, Lewis Wolfson, Joe Yaffie, Guy Ben Shershit) have not all come from a Habonim Dror background but that doesn’t faze rosh Alex Barnes, “ the madrichim are brilliant.  Admittedly we’re not the most experienced bunch yet but with regular hadracha training in place and getting the chance to lead every 2 weeks I really feel that we are all advancing together in a unique way.”  Alex goes on to speak about ken attendance this year, “What is most pleasing is the fact that our chanichim are coming back to the ken and showing a true commitment to Habonim Dror. We want our numbers to treble over the coming weeks!” (calm down Alex!)

Last week’s meeting saw the chanichim participate in an Israeli Game Show night with activities including a Hebrew word countdown and Hebrew-themed Family Fortunes.  24 chanichim reveled in the fun that was created by the madrichim.

Nicola Zoltie, our chinuch worker, who takes responsibility for Glasgow ken along with Northern Fieldworker Marc Fink says, “ Habonim Dror have a long history of youth activities in Glasgow.  What is happening this year is fantastic and is reminiscent of former glory days in Glasgow.  It is vital that peripheral Jewish communities in the UK are not neglected.  By running the ken here we are strengthening Jewish identity and promoting our Jewish values to a community of children who so crave this type of activity.”

So next time you ponder about Habonim Dror, spare a thought for the wonderful work happening in the heart of Scotland.  Hopefully it’s a secret no more…

Wanted to see some pictures?  Don’t worry they are on the way!

If you’re interested in sending your children to Glasgow ken, or you want to get involved in leading the ken don’t hesitate to contact our Rosh:

Alex Barnes
T: 0141-579-8719
E: alexbarnes@ntlworld.com: or alternatively...

Marc Fink (HDUK Northern Fieldworker)
T: 0161 795 9447
E: marc@habodror.org.uk