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ROSH SHOMRIM
ELLA MENDELOW


Ella is a 23-year-old student who has been involved in Habonim Dror since 2014. She joined when she was in Bonim and has been back each year ever since. For Ella, the feeling of freedom, inspiration and empowerment that can only truly be experienced on the Habonim Campsite keeps her coming back. Ella is currently doing her masters in Psychology at UCT, and can confidently say that her Habonim journey has paved the way for her chosen career. She loves the community, connections and personal interactions that Habonim gives her, both on and off of camp. For this reason, Ella is so excited to be Rosh Shomrim for Machaneh Bonim Beyachad!

S’GAN ROSH SHOMRIM
ZACH KATZ


Zach has been a committed member of Habo since 2014. He has a deep passion and love for the time he spends in Habo along with the people he gets to spend that time with. From singing and dancing his heart out at havdalah to running eye opening activities, there isn’t a moment where Zach doesn’t make the most of his time in Habo. Zach has nothing but gratitude for what Habo has done for him. He believes Habo gave him the tools to be a critical thinker in today’s society along with a unique connection to the jewish community. Habonim is his home away from home. Zach is currently completing his Honours in Animation and Writing at Wits. His experience in Habo taught him how to work in teams along with creating stories that present the human condition in an empathetic but also critical lens.

He was a maddie for Zamir in 2023 and is so excited to take them again!

S’GANIT ROSH SHOMRIM
RUBY GIMPEL


Ruby has been involved in Habo since 2013, and has loved every second being on the campsite! Last year, she took Zamir on Shorashim and was their s’ganit rosh for their Sayarim machaneh. She loved every second working with the age group and is ecstatic to be their s’ganit rosh for their last year of camp, Shomrim. She is hoping to teach the kids valuable life lessons for their last year as channichimot, and aims to adequately prepare the next generation of madrichim while ensuring Zamir has the most fun on camp as of yet!
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THE SHOMRIM EXPERIENCE

The White One

Shomrim means ‘guards’ as, since they are the most experienced Channies, Shomrim is expected to catapult the movement forward, nurturing and protecting it for future Channichim, the same way their Maddies have for them.

Zamir are returning to their final year as Channies: a truly must-do experience. The educational theme encapsulates the movement, Habonim Dror Southern Africa, holistically. One of the highlights of Shomrim Machaneh is Projects Week, where each Shomrim Channie gets to choose a different role in the running of our Camp, and contribute in the most hands-on, behind-the-scenes ways possible for the week. Shomrim Machaneh ends in an heart-warming Graduation, where Zamir ceremoniously graduates and are welcomed into the Bogrim body! Finally, Shomrim is tasked with tying up the entire Machaneh experience for everyone on site, as they lead us in our monumental Mifkad Eish ceremony on the beach on the last night of camp.


The responsibility of being a Shomrim Channich takes shape in their contribution to these projects, and in their acting as Maddies for a portion of Machaneh. However, this responsibility is paired with massive freedom and trust from their Maddies.  Zamir will be given some serious privileges as the oldest Channies on site. Without a bedtime or site restriction, Shomrim is allowed to explore the entirety of our wondrous campsite 24/7. From conceptualizing and leading their own projects, to hosting the late-night Shomrim radio, to re-visiting their memories as they graduate, to earning the urn, Shomrim is afforded the freedom to truly make the camp experience their own, and is encouraged to practice this freedom now and in their future with Habo. Ultimately, with their expertise, Zamir can expect to experience the most fulfilling Machaneh possible, through having a unique set of privileges and responsibilities, shaping them to be world-class future leaders but most importantly having untampered fun and freedom. 

LIFE LONG FRIENDSHIPS

MIFKAD EISH SET UP

HAVDALAH PARTIES

ZAMIR IS HOME

SHOMRIM RUACH (SPIRIT)

THE VIP TREATMENT

MIFKAD EISH CEREMONY

HABO SPORTS CULTURE

THE MADDIE EXPERIENCE

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