|
From Jack Nusan Porter's Machon journal, 1963
|
Thursday January 31, 1963
This was the last day of the tiyul to Eilat and the Negev. We got up at 6:00 and packed, ate breakfast, bought some postcards, picked up more beautiful rocks, took pictures of the harbor and the bay and then continued upwards to the wilderness of Zin to see Wadi Zin, Ein Ovdat and Ein Mor - a beautiful wadi - with waterfall and pool amidst wall-like cliffs of limestone and flint. Climbed up the steep wall and to the buses which then took us to the fortress of Ovdat, an ancient Nabatean, then Roman, Byzantine, and lastly Moslem city...
Left from here to to get gas and then to Beer Sheba where we had an orange and tomato fight between the two buses inside them. The ruach was great on the buses, we twisted, sang, and make a fool of a girl, who came along for the Great Tiyul. Came back to Jerusalem at 8:30 and went for mail (got letter from Sandy) and ate supper. Tired. Took a shower and went right to sleep.
Friday February 1, 1963
Days are flying fast. It's been exactly 5 months in the country and only 6 more remaining. Had classes from 9:30-12:00 on the tiyul, given by Menachem - showed us film strip and talked about the human problem in the Negev...
Wednesday February 6, 1963
Today was our last day of the period of studying at the Machon. I the morning at 9:30 we had a party in Bayit Sheni for our Ivrit classes. We had games, singing, and food. Took some pictures. Dvorah was there, was a good party, even though the North Africans and French had some trouble getting along. Afterwards, we had our final test in Zionism by Haim. After that I packed my luggage to go to Gesher Haziv, where all the Americans are going to except for Rivka from Canada, who's going to Bror Chayil to be with her boyfriend from Morocco. Tonight our havura meeting was in Bayit Sheni and first we had the serious part, where everyone gave their impressions of the country, and the other part consisted of Sybil, dressed as me in my clothes and I in Sybil’s dress and sweater and bra, singing as a duet on a farewell note. I sang "Silver Dagger." Good show! Handed in my paper on "Jerusalem."
Thursday February 7, 1963
Today, last day before our chofesh starts before kibbutz begins (for me - a week from tomorrow)...
This evening was the grand finale of the mesibat siyum. Called Ben Kaiser to come, the Workshop (some) were there, the African students from the Hebrew University, guests and friends and teachers. Crowded to the hilt. First Haim, taking the place of Moshe Levin, who has pneumonia, gave a talk, a farewell address. Then the makhela performed very well with drum, guitar and accordion accompaniment. A skit by the dramatic class with Shir, Sammy and Steve Rosenberg. Dances by the rikud group, a very funny skit on married life by the French - all in Hebrew. And afterwards, a lot of dancing and singing outside.
Ben and I went back to Bayit Sheni and found my bed and others wet - raid by the girls. Sang and he played a guitar. Had a blast. Hit the sack at 2:00 a.m.
Monday February 11, 1963
Up at 6:30, ate breakfast, and waited around for the truck to load with luggage for Yehiam, Tirat Zvi, Gesher Haziv and Ma’ayan Baruch. Steve, Jean, Arnie and I sat in the back, slept and talked till we got to Gesher Haziv, where I dropped my luggage off in the Workshop Moadon. Yael from Holland and Stu Summers from California were both going to the Hashomer Kibbutz (Yehiam) after my stop at Gesher Haziv. Said Shalom. The Mazkir of the kibbutz showed me the place. I went right to sleep and slept through dinner.
Friday July 12, 1963
Tonight was the Mesibat Siyum and it was just wonderful, very funny - great. The chorus sang a few songs, then some skits, as well as the skit that the 2 North Africans put on, Moshe and Zvi. There were also some very professional looking dancers; Dov Schiller and Yoel from Hashomer France. The evening ended with some speeches about working in the movement and the need for us, etc. etc
|
Copyright 2003 (c) by Jack Nusan Porter,
West Newton, Mass. U.S.A
|
