Rafsodia!!

MBI kicked off their first day of rafsodia today. They found themselves this morning on the side of the Kinneret (sea of galilee) with the task of building a raft that would sail accross the immense lake that supplies most of Israel with drinking water. The raft that they are currently in the process of constructing is made from three main supplies, rope, bamboo and large metal barrels that serve as flotation devices. All morning, afternoon and evening they worked on these rafts in their kvutzot with instruction from their madrichim (counselors) and staff from HeHalutz. HeHalutz, the organization who runs rafsodia, runs many rounds of the raft building each summer for many different organizations. They taught our chanichim how to tie the special knots needed to set together a raft at this size. Tomorrow, when the structure of the raft is complete, they will decorate a sail with a decoration that represents their kvutzah and see which of them is the first to reach the other side. Rafsodia is a special component of the MBI journey. While touring can be a very passive experience, rafsodia is anything but. During rafsodia, they are given the chance to create something great together, to transport themselves to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. They will accomplish a lot together over the course of the two days. 

Some of the last touches on the base of the raft. 

In the water ready for the sail to go up tomorrow. 

Tonight they are camping out after a BBQ under the stars on the beach. 

More to come tomorrow from rafsodia!