Wallowing in the mud

You didn’t think that title referred to me, did you?

No, as some of you know, I don’t do mud.

The title refers to AMG, who just returned from her machaneh. She insists that neither wallowing nor mud was involved – although she concedes that there were plenty of dirt and rocks. I’ll have to take her word for it, because – as is the case every year – she looked pretty bedraggled when she arrived home.

However, she had a great time – the horrible food, the lack of sleep, and the terrible heat notwithstanding.

While she was away, we went to Kibbutz Shaalvim, where this week and next, they have something called “Chavayah BaKerem” (literally, “an experience in the vineyard.”). They have a whole slew of activities (arts and crafts, tours of the vineyard, tasting some new fruit, learning how to redeem fruit that is neta reva’i, grinding flour, making pitahs, eating sugar cane, making butter, and much more), and the kids had a great time. Although the highlight is supposed to be stepping on the grapes and making your own bottle of grape juice – all shmitah-compliant, of course – none of our kids wanted to do that.

Anyway, all in all, the whole thing is definitely recommended. It costs 20 NIS per adult and 25 NIS per child. Please note that you have to make reservations if you want to go. (Let me know if you want the phone number to make reservations.)