Page 19 - C.A.L.L. #23 - Spring 2004

Welcome to “Kibbutz Shorts”, where we
discover what’s new on the Kibbutz in an
KIBBUTZ SHORTS update from around Israel.

Compiled and translated from kibbutz
publications by Yoel Darom,

Kibbutz Kfar Menachem

Well-treated Rubbish Turns into Electricity

Slowly, indeed, but for sure, Kibbutzim are won over to ecological considerations and actions. The latest
achievement in this field is the use of methane gas, that is generated in a large organic refuse collection site into
electric current which makes Kibbutz Chatzerim, in the Negev desert, independent of the national grid. This
includes all the electricity needed in this rather large community: home and industry, communal kitchen and
laundry, agriculture and street lighting.

Communes are IN

The urban communes and kibbutzim featured prominently at an annual mass
happening at Efal, the kibbutz seminar centre near Tel Aviv. Despite the
competition of 19 different attractions, the session organised by the
Communes Desk attracted 100 participants. Representatives of 7 different
forms of Israeli communal living presented their ideology, activities and
lifestyle. They ranged from an urban kibbutz of both religious and secular
members, to youth movement graduate communes devoted to education, to a
classic but ecology- and Reform Judaism minded- kibbutz. A stall featuring CALL and other ICDesk material also
helped spread the good tidings.

Desert Zoo

For 24 years now, ever since he came back from a safari tour in Kenya and Tanzania, Denni Osdon dreamed of
establishing a center for Desert Animals in his Kibbutz Revivim. At last he succeeded and now heads the "Negev
Zoo - Experiencing Animals". This is a large compound within the Kibbutz grounds, with good sidewalks and
authentic mud-houses where you can find almost all desert creatures: birds of prey, hunters like wolves, foxes and
jackals, reptiles, rodents as well as wild ponies. Also to be encountered in this idyllic far-out corner of Israel: a
small lake with birds and fish. All nature lovers - come and visit!

How sad!

For many years "Kibbutz Trends", published by Yad Tabenkin, the Research and Study Center
of the Kibbutz movement, has brought to the English reading public well-chosen articles and
stories (and some poems) that dealt with Kibbutz life, its achievements and problems. Its last
issue (January 2004) tells us the sad news that owing to financial circumstances “Kibbutz
Trends” has to close. The magazine has been presenting the trends apparent in the Kibbutz
movement, exploring broad issues as well as portraiting outstanding individuals. CALL shares
the regret and sorrow over the demise of K. T. Back copies are still available on a first come
first served basis from Yad Tabenkin, Ramat Efal, Israel 52960.

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