On September 18th, nearly 100 people gathered on Kibbutz Nes Harim to celebrate Habonim Dror North America’s 90th anniversary. In addition to 90 years of HDNA, we have also reached 75 years of Workshop, HDNA’s gap year program in Israel. We had attendees from Workshop’s first year, all the way to Workshop’s current participants, who are currently staying on Kibbutz Ein HaShofet. 

The evening included speeches by Tamar Levi, Muki Tzur, Michael Hess, and a video address from Bougie Herzog. Another highlight included a video compilation of interviews with HDNA alumni and current maapilimot from every decade of Habonim history. You can view the video HERE.

Meetings between generations of Habonim Dror are rare and it was beautiful to see alumni of all ages connecting over peace, Zionism, progressive Jewish values, and of course the movement that we all hold so dear. 

We also could not forget those members of our community who could not be with us due to the atrocities of October 7th. Notable among them are; Vivian Silver, a Habonim bogeret from Winnipeg and passionate peace activist who was killed at her home on Kibbutz Beeri; Ophir Libstein, Habonim Dror Olami chairman and head of the Sha’ar HaNegev regional council who died protecting his Kibbutz; Hersh Goldberg-Polin, connected to the Camp Moshav community, who was held in captivity and killed by Hamas; and Eitan Horn, a boger from Habonim Dror Argentia who is still being held hostage in Gaza.

The past two years have been more than trying, and many of us have had moments of despair about the war, the government, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and so much more. This opportunity to gather as a community was an important reminder that we are not alone, and that we must continue to dream and work towards building a better future for Israeli society and the next generations of Habonim Dror. 

Aleh V'Hagshem