2015 marks a momentous year for Habonim Dror as it
introduced the youth movement to a brand new kvutza, the likes of which has never
been seen before. This was the Pupikim (bellybuttons or navels, in Hebrew), a kvutza of chanichim entering 4th grade (whereas they had previously
been included with the 5th graders in Amelim).
Being Habonim Dror’s
inaugural Pupikim, there comes the responsibility of creating a kvutza identity from scratch. This was a challenge that the Pupikim met head on.
Though two members of the Kvutza of 15 had been to Gilboa before as Nitsanim in 3rd grade,
this was a new experience for all of them. As such, they had many key aspects
of Gilboa to familiarize themselves with. These topics manifested
themselves during Peulot (discussion-based activities) and included what makes
a Kvutza more than just an age group, an introduction to kupa (collective
pooling of resources for intentional use by a group), what it means to be
creative, and a geographic and
cultural introduction to Israel. The Pupikim engaged
with these topics together and with utmost enthusiasm.
Furthermore, as a
kvutza, the Pupikim proved to be one of the more self-supporting kvutzot at
machaneh. They truly loved and cared about each other and in doing so, helped
to build each other’s confidence and propel themselves to taking on more active
and participatory roles around Machaneh.
All in all, the Pupikim were an
enriching kvutzah with an unparalleled energy. It is safe to say this is not
the last that we’ve seen of these kids. The Pupikim are here to stay.
- Ari Howorth, Pupikim madrich
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