Last week Year 10 was lucky enough to go on the iconic Machane Ayekah (Year 10 Camp). For six days we stayed in the beautiful southern highlands of Tallong, connecting with our year group, learning from our Mads and finding meaning in our Judaism and connection to Israel.

As part of Ayekah, we were put in ‘Mishpachot’ (Family Groups), mixed groups of about 15 people and two Mads. We did most camp activities in our Mishpachot, from discussing Zionism and our feelings about Israel, to sharing the song that represented us, to playing endless rounds of the game ‘I Love London’ to discussing Jewish expression and pluralism. The activities asked us to understand ourselves better, learn from the people around us and try to find an answer to the question of  ‘Ayekah?’, ‘Where are you?’. Whilst there was a lot of time spent laughing, there was also time for serious, meaningful discussion, and even times for tears.

But Ayekah was made truly special by the energy and fun that was brought to it. Standing up on tables and benches singing I Want It That Way and Old McDonald Had a Farm in the Cheder Ochel. Patriotically screeching the national anthem and Waltzing Matilda, decked in our finest green and gold to watch the Matildas match. And doing such intense Ruach that the windows around the room fogged up.  

Another unique part of Machane Ayekah was spending Shabbat all together. It was our first chance to do this as a whole year group, welcoming Shabbat on Friday night with a prayer service. On Saturday morning, we were lucky enough to be able to run our own Shabbat service, which we had been working on in our House Tutor groups with Morah Adina. All the while, we kept Shabbat. With no instruments and no phones, we were able to connect even more, sharing games in the Moadon, playing on the oval and making friendship bracelets together. 

Overall, the biggest take away from Ayekah was how much of a bonding experience it was for our year group. Coming into the camp, none of us really knew what the week would be like, but we know that our expectations were not only met, but exceeded by far. From spending our free time playing games in the Moadon, to sitting with different people at meal times, to making memories with our family groups, we have all become so much closer and connected with everyone in our year, and were able to open up to new people. It is definitely an experience that we will cherish. 

Thank you to everyone who made Machane Ayekah a possibility and such an amazing success; our teachers who joined us on camp, our incredible IJL team, outstanding Israeli Mads, kitchen and campsite staff, and of course our Year 10 cohort! Thank you for making this a week we will never forget!

By Daliah Smagarinsky and Liberty Waldner