Page 19 - Kol Bogrei Habonim - Autumn 21

He'd heard that one of the Shlichim was youthful Severn bordered our camp-field. We
someone I knew – he didn't disclose – and I'd climbed to the summit of the cloud-wreathed
have a wonderful time. That little cliff-hanger Wrekin. Well, did that camp toughen me up?
and the fact that the camp was to be in And how, it did.
Shropshire finally convinced me. Shropshire
Rehooked on Habonim, I joined a new

“The Plugah, Habo choir (as an alto), then, and too prematurely, Hadracha. And what about
Tiyulim, Messibot and JNF tree planting drives at doors in Hendon……..”

was a train-spotter's bonanza. Plugah in Maida Vale. This time it was
serious and I could get there easily by bike.
I wasn't sorry. Jonny was spot on. It was a
great success and I made new friends. Most One activity a week soon became three and
kids were attached to a Plugah somewhere, more: The Plugah, Habo choir (as an alto),
but I was listed as "unattached" – what a then, and too prematurely, Hadracha. And
ruddy humiliating categorization, I thought. what about Tiyulim, Messibot and JNF tree
Then it turned out that all the Chevre in my planting drives at doors in Hendon. But guess
group were unattached too. Good social what… from being a good pupil, I declined
strategy, and our Madrich was a fabulous hit. and sagged to near bottom of the class –
On our "free day" I detached myself from my except in French and Chemistry. No
unattachees, took an old choo-choo local persuasion or threat would change matters,
train into Shrewsbury town, remained on and on I stumbled, barely making it through
Platform 3 for three solid hours having a O-levels and then A-levels.
whale of a time and got twenty engine- Fast forward… Hadracha, summer camps,
number cops. What's more, being in such a Ve'idot, Israel camp, thrice Rosh Machaneh
beautiful rural setting converted me into a and, somewhere betwixt them, three years of
nature and countryside lover. A softly pharmacy at London University. For
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