With such a jam-packed schedule, any opportunity for a
lie in must be taken very seriously. Today was not the case.
After an early(ish) start to the day, we arrived at
Machon Ayalon - an underground factory in which 2 1/4 million bullets were
produced to fund the efforts of the fighters in the War of Independence.
Despite the constant watch of the British, who controlled the area at the
time, a top secret underground plant was
constructed whilst life on the Kibbutz, situated above, continued as usual.
There were two entrances to the secret annex camouflaged
by a laundrette at one end of the factory and a bakery at the other. Above the
Ayalon Institute, the Kibbutzim Hill area gave every impression of being a
regular kibbutz with living quarters, a communal dining hall, a chicken coop
and the like. This is amazing to think as one would imagine that the noise from
the underground testing range, along with the constant clanking of the
manufacturing machines would outweigh the sounds of the thriving community
above.
Following this, we made our way to the Children's Museum
for the 'Invitation to Silence' programme. Having been split into smaller groups,
we were taken around various activities. Kitted out with noise-cancelling
headphones and led by guides who are themselves deaf, we were able to
experience a silent world, gaining some understanding of the life of a deaf person.
Last on the itinerary was the Independence Hall. Here, we
learnt about the establishment of Tel Aviv and the state of Israel. It was
really interesting for us as youth of today and made us appreciate what we take
for granted today.
It was then time to return to the kibbutz for an
anticipated (mostly by the madrichim) relatively early night!
By Talya Masters
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