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Introducing Emek Shorashim 2024!

2024 is the year for shichvah Emek to go to and experience Israel in Habonim Dror Southern Africa style on the elite Shorashim program! Continue reading to find out more information…

Shorashim

Dates: 27 June – 16 July 2024

Not just three weeks of memories – a life-changing experience that you’ll take with you forever…

The Habonim Dror Grade 10 Shorashim Tour stands as the pinnacle Israel tour for South African Jewish youth. With a rich history spanning nineteen years, it has consistently delivered an unparalleled experience — combining excitement, dynamism, education, and safety amidst the myriad of tours available in Israel annually.
Our program is truly exceptional, featuring visits to breathtaking sites, exhilarating hikes, encounters with captivating individuals, and the guidance of inspiring madrichim. We are committed to ensuring that every participant absorbs the rich tapestry of Israel’s diversity, history, and beauty. Shorashim is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we guarantee will be cherished forever by your child. 
They will be accompanied by four of our movement’s finest madrichim, making this tour an unparalleled experience for them to shape their Jewish and Zionist identities in ways previously unimaginable.
The signup process for Shorashim this year involves two stages. Currently, only the first stage of the form can be completed:
This first phase will collect general information and motivation from participants, outlining why they aspire to join the program.
The second stage of the signup process will be accessible once participants have been accepted. It encompasses the completion of the remaining sections of the online form.
Ensuring the safety of your child is our top priority as we present the incredible opportunity of the Shorashim Israel trip. Despite the current situation, we want to assure you that we closely monitor developments, maintain flexibility, and collaborate with Israeli authorities for real-time updates. By the time of Shorashim, we anticipate a significantly improved environment. Our experienced guide, Josh, holds high-level connections in the Israeli government, providing invaluable insights for our safety protocols. With a team of five local Israeli staff, a dedicated medic, and two security guards, we are well-prepared for any scenario. Coupled with 24-hour emergency assistance, we are committed to offering a secure and enriching experience for your child, prioritizing their well-being throughout the journey.

What is Shorashim?

Habonim Dror Southern Africa is proud to present Shorashim, a life-changing Israel tour where Grade 10s have the most eye-opening, engaging and exciting three weeks in Israel with their friends. An opportunity of a lifetime awaits Emek this June/July. The programme is unparalleled – by visiting spectacular sites, venturing on breathtaking hikes, meeting fascinating individuals, and touring with electrifying madrichim, HDSA will ensure that your child soaks in every inch of Israel’s rich diversity and beauty. Shorashim is the best possible programme for any South African Jewish youth to experience the most of Israel.

Safety and Security

Ensuring the safety of our Channichim is our top priority. We want to assure everyone that, without a doubt, the trip is proceeding as planned. Our decision is grounded in the security guidance provided by trusted entities such as The South African Jewish Board of Deputies, The South African Zionist Fed, and our liaison to the Israeli Government, The Jewish Agency. All of these organizations not only endorse the safety of travel in Israel but also actively encourage our participants to travel in Israel, which has returned to a state of normalcy within civilian borders.

 
Nevertheless, we are implementing additional security measures compared to previous trips. These measures encompass a 24-hour helpline accessible to the kids, staffed by dedicated team member around the clock. This helpline serves as a secure channel for channichim to seek immediate assistance and guidance in case of any emergency.


Furthermore, we are enhancing our security personnel with the inclusion of two private security and army-trained individuals. These professionals bring expertise in combat training and property security assessment, fortifying our commitment to the well-being of everyone involved. Additionally, we maintain constant communication with the army to stay vigilant and responsive to any evolving security situations.

Why Shorashim?

In Depth, comprehensiveness and Educational Excellence
The depth and breadth of this tour cannot be underestimated. We are able to explore and tour through Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the North and the South of Israel.

But what is more important for Habonim Dror is that we offer real education around these cities and destinations. They are contextualised through well-educated madrichim, through experiential learning, through peulot and through Israeli experts. We ensure that Israel is experience in a real way so that it can be understood and connected with for the many people who are going there for the first time.

Diversity of Israel
On Shorashim we make certain that we look at the ‘fullness’ of Israel by ensuring that our Shorashimniks have a diverse experience of Israel.

On Shorashim, channichim are exposed to:

  • Religious Experiences
  • Secular Experiences
  • Minorities
  • Land of Israel: including swimming in the Kinneret, Sleeping under the stars in the dessert, hikes in the Negev and Masada, Shabbat at the Kotel.

Seeing Israel as part of a Habonim Dror group
One of the most inspiring aspects of this programme is the idea of your child spending 3 weeks with their shichvah. This group of channichim have been coming to machaneh for many years and created a strong group identity which this experience will no doubt solidify. One of the most important parts of Habonim Dror SA is creating a Jewish social network. Shorashim creates a sense of a national age group by uniting Jewish channichim from Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and the Eastern Cape. Seeing Israel with Habonim Dror also means getting to explore the movement’s role in Israel, as well as visiting the Ghetto Fighters House to learn about Dror’s involvement in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.

Highest Calibre of Madrichim
The Tzevet comprises four South African and one Israeli madrich/a. These are the most experienced, dedicated and dynamic madrichim of the movement who are invested in the grade 10 year group. They will ensure that your children are safe, happy, feel a part of the group and inspired to be in Israel.

Jewish and Zionist Identity
Experiencing Israel with Habonim Dror will enable your child to engage meaningfully with their Jewish and Zionist identity. They will engage with the rich history of the Jewish people by visiting historical and religious sites, with expert tour guides and passionate madrichim. Shorashim is the only tour that will connect secular and religious Jewish youth to Israel in a meaningful and fulfilling way.

Personal Growth
One of the most fantastic results that we have seen by running this programme in the past is that we have witnessed channichim mature, develop and create stronger Jewish identities. The entire process is geared to making channichim more assertive and independent, to start them thinking about who they are, and what they care about.

Ultimate Fun and Rejuvenating
The programme is renowned for bonding and extremely fun experiences. The programme itself is filled with adventure style activities such kayaking at Jordan River, water slides and adventurous scavenger hunts in Israel’s cities.