Habo Life Cycle

Chaverim pass through different stages of the movement, where they gradually become more equipped to take leadership positions.

Year 3-8: Junior Movement

Year 9-12: Senior Movement

  • Federal camps
  • Increased federalisation of chinuch

Year 10: Hadracha course

  • Chaverim in year 10 have the opportunity to participate in a 10-14 week hadracha (leadership) course in the second semester, giving them valuable life skills and qualifying them to lead in the junior movement.

Year 11: Madatzim

  • Chaverim who have completed the hadracha course have the opportunity to lead in the junior movement.

Year 12: Shnat Process

  • Winter and summer shnat seminars

Shnatties

  • After year 12, chaverim go on our 1-year program in Israel called 'Shnat Hachshara Ve'Hadracha'.

Bogrim

  • Returned shnatties, now graduates of the movement, run all aspects of the movement for 2 or 3 years.


Explanations

The Junior Movement
Chaverim enter the movement in year 3, and remain chanichim (participants) in the junior movement until year 8. Junior chanichim participate in weekly peulot and winter and summer camps.

The Senior Movement
Chaverim in years 9-12 are chanichim of the senior movement, which features annual summer federal senior camps, and a much greater standardization of chinuch (education), in addition to weekly peulot and annuall winter camps.

Hadracha
In year 10 in most kenim (often in year 9 in Adelaide) chaverim are encouraged to take part in a 10-14 week hadracha (leadership) course in the second half of the year. This course is an intensive leadership development course which focuses both on the theoretical aspect of leadership as well as the practical side of becoming a leader both in a general sense and specifically in the movement. Participating in the hadracha course does not commit one to become a leader in the movement, although most do.

Madatzim
In the beginning of year 11 graduates of the hadracha course have the opportunity to become a madatz (junior leader) of the junior shchavot (years 3-8). They lead in a tzevet with other madatzim and with a boger/et as the rosh (head) of the tzevet. The word madatz is an amalgamation of the words 'Madrich Tzair', meaning 'young leader'.

Shnat Hachshara Ve'Hadracha (Year of Preparation and Leadership)
Shnat Hachshara Ve'Hadracha (commonly refered to as 'Shnat') is the name given to the Habonim Dror 10-month educational and leadership development program in Israel for chaverim after they finish high school in year 12. The program currently includes a period of intensive learning, a period on a socialist kibbutz, and a period working together as a community in a development town in Israel. Regular tiyulim, educational seminars and other events punctuate the year, giving its participants a well-rounded experience of Israel, the movement, and a possible future life in Israel. The two primary aims of shnat are to equip chaverim to become bogrim and run the movement upon their return, and to act as a year of 'preparation' for aliyah and hagshama, giving its participants a realistic and inspirational experience in Israel allowing them to explore a possible future for themselves in Israel. Shnat plays a central role in our movement and is one of our greatest sources of new leadership and strength. It is an opportunity for members of the movement to gain an incredible experience of and in Israel. We see it as an essential part of the development of the senior leadership of our movement, and is the climax of our educational process. For more information on Shnat, see the shnat page.

Bogrim
After Shnat, chaverim become bogrim (graduates) of the movement and are now fully equipped to become the leaders of the movement and hold important tafkidim (positions). Bogrim have a commitment to lead in the movement for two years, but some bogrim remain in the movement for a third or even fourth year after Shnat. Generally, bogrim in their second year take mazkirut positions in the kenim, while bogrim in their third year hold federal tafkidim.

Post-Bogrim
Habonim Dror is a youth movement, and as such there are generally no adults running the movement besides the shaliach. However, chaverim who are no longer active in the movement are encouraged to participate in Habo community functions, on the parents and friends committee, and generally to give advice and support to the current bogrim of the movement. Also, steps have been taken to create a 'tnuat bogrim', whereby bogrim who are no longer active in the youth movement would still meet and run activities that keep them inspired and committed to the ideals of Habonim Dror, and ultimately provide a framework where its members may remain inspired to fulfil the ideology.