Jewish
Frontier

If you read the Habonim Dror Foundation's web-site (www.shamash.org/wso/habonim) you will note the simple question: "Why a Foundation?"

The answer is to ensure the survival of Habonim Dror North America (HDNA) at the national level. This can only happen with the administrative and financial support of our alumni. The movement's central office is now in a precarious position as it has lost all traditional outside funding sources. Should the central office close down, there would be no one to administer the Workshop, MBI, and the other national programs. Without a powerful national identity and membership to a world Zionist youth movement, Habonim Dror would be reduced to seven isolated summer camps. With Habonim Dror fully operational, we are an avante guard Jewish youth movement with a sense of purpose. No other Zionist youth movement matches our ability to develop future Jewish leaders of progressive social change in North America and Israel. HDNA must live.

But is that enough of a reason? Instead of "why a Foundation?" perhaps the real question to ask is, "Why Habonim Dror?"

To answer that question, I have a little story. In my job with the Foundation I do lots of phone and email solicitation to bring alumni into the Foundation. I recently solicited alumni from the Habonim Dror New York's Camp Na'aleh community. I explained a little about who we are and what we are trying to do. I took it for granted that these Habonim graduates would be receptive to efforts to support the movement. This assumption proved misguided when I was challenged by a particular chaver who was not convinced of the relevance of Habonim's agenda. He perceived four primary points of weakness in our movement: He questioned the value we place on socialism, our commitment to Judaism and the Jewish people, our vision of Israel, and our ability to mobilize and organize a movement as "inexperienced" youth. He clearly laid down his challenge when he stated...

"...so with little interest in what has historically kept the Jews going, and the chalutzic vision of Israel way out of date, I have yet to see anyone articulate why we need Habonim. Nostalgia for our own camp years isn't enough. I don't mean to disparage your efforts here. I'm just asking someone to tell me why Habonim still matters."

So, why does Habonim matter? Here are four reasons:

1. Being at a Habonim Summer camp is different from other camps, because of the sense of purpose instilled in young Jews by the madrichim (counsellors) who grew up there. Even at a young age, kids sense they are participating in something much larger than the fun summer camp experience. People who've grown up at a machaneh (Habonim camp) identify with Habonim as a primary influence in their lives that helped to shape their values and beliefs. Few summer camps make that kind of impact in a child's life.

2. Habonim develops Jewish leaders. We empower kids to be unafraid of challenging systems of inequality in Israel and at home. Because we are youth leading youth, we have a much deeper understanding of what it means to work hard, take responsibility and create a community we are not ashamed of. The socialist model offers an ethic and a vision. The ethic is as strong as ever. I assure you that Habonim's socialist vision has evolved beyond kibbutz. Our vision is to take the social values and apply them to the rest of society, whether that means in Israel or in North American communities. I am in Garin 2000 (the Habonim Dror urban collective moving to Israel next year). I chose to bring my Habonim values to Israel next year in an urban setting. I am not alone. And I do this in the name of Habonim Dror.

3. Habonim's vision of Israel is not out of date. On the contrary, we are on the frontier of Israeli progressive society. In addition to our budding relationship with the LZA, we have worked hard in the last three years to establish ties to Hanoar Ha'oved V'halomed, the largest progressive youth movement in Israel. Many of our maapilim (college-age members) study environmental issues in Israel or go on co-existence programs to promote religious tolerance, pluralism and the advancement of the peace process. These are the maapilim that come back to work in Habonim summer camps.

4. Judaism is an essential part of the values that HDNA teaches. While Habonim does not place traditional Jewish observance as its highest priority, our core values reflect our dedication to the highest principles of Judaism — namely, seeking peace and Tikun Olam (social justice). There is no Jewish youth movement more dedicated to creating a society reflecting those values. We feel traditional Judaism is available to Jewish youth in many facets across North America, but the cultural and political identity and community that we provide in Habonim is not available anywhere else.

While I do not agree with the sentiment expressed by this parent on our youth movement, I appreciate the challenge because in formulating a response, I regained a sense of pride and appreciation for the work that I am doing. This experience has affirmed a conviction in me beyond any doubt that Habonim Dror must survive.