Hebrew Haka At Camp

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30959, 15 January 1966, Page 18

Hebrew Haka At Camp

“The Press” Special Service HAMILTON, Jan. 14. A haka in Hebrew was devised at the annual camp at Lake Karapiro of Ichud Habonim, the international Jewish organisation for young people. The camp was run by the young people themselves and was preceded by a training camp for young leaders. At the main camp different activities were provided for three age groups—from 9 to 12 years, 13 to 15 years and 16 to 20 years. Although ample time was given to sport, hobbies and entertainment, the emphasis was on education. Morning classes in Hebrew were held each day before breakfast. Even the youngest children could speak some Hebrew, the language which was spoken throughout the camp as much as passible. Study subjects included world problems, scouting, drama, creative dancing and handicrafts. Lectures and discussion groups working chiefly

on the problems of human relations were arranged for the various age groups. Most of the 250 attending came from the Auckland, Manawatu and Wairarapa districts but there were several from the South Island and 11 from Australia. The leaders, all of whom have grown up through Ichud Harbonim—which means

United the Builders—pass on their knowledge of Jewish faith and customs to the younger members. Three of them at the camp this year had attended a training centre at Jerusalem and two others—Judith Markham and Peter Pezaro, both of Auckland —will go to the centre next month to train for a year.