Page 3 - C.A.L.L. #23 - Spring 2004

there would be no one left to look after the aged remnants of its
founders. Faith in the kibbutz system had been shattered. Hence Findhorn
the general move to change the system. Ensuring a more secure
future and a desire for more independence are the major driving Foundation
forces of this process.

C: Commentators often link the kibbutz crisis with the

collapse of Soviet-style communism. What is your opinion? Building Community Online: An Invitation of
R: There is no connection. The kibbutz way of life has nothing in Co-Creation!
common with the "communist" systems in the USSR bloc.

C: Unlike the status of communes in other countries, Blessings, dear friends, from the Findhorn
“kibbutz” is a legally defined entity in Israel,. In what way community.

does this affect the changes in the kibbutz movement?
R: Not only is the term "kibbutz" legally defined, but there are no There is a growing impulse to bring more of
less than 110 different laws, the application of which requires what we do at our spiritual centre to the wider
special mention of "kibbutz". This is not necessarily to our benefit. world. There is also an impulse to more
For instance, kibbutzniks don't receive unemployment benefits. closely connect those around the world who
feel an energetic resonance with the work we
C: So how is the legal definition of a kibbutz being changed? do. One of the many ways we are able to do

R: The government set up a special commission, including this in today's world is through the gift of
technology. This represents one small step in
kibbutz representatives, to deal with the legal aspects of the the continuing evolution of our global
changes in the kibbutz movement. community. As many of you know, we have
made some beginnings in connecting you
C: What is the present situation regarding this? online both to us and to one another. For
R: The commission has made its recommendations and, after instance, we recently added a discussion area
clarification and confirmation by the kibbutz movement, will be to our website called the Forums. Our online
passed on to the Knesset (parliament) to be made legally binding. community forums are bringing people

together around the world to share from the
C: What are the main points of the commission's proposals? heart, exchange news and information, share
experiences, ask questions, offer inspiration,
R: Two different types of kibbutzim will be defined: discuss current events and issues, and
- "Communal Kibbutzim" (Kibbutzim shitufi'im) - in which generally support one another in our human
only minimal changes are being made from the original principles. evolution.
- "New-style Kibbutzim (Kibbutzim mitchadshim) - in which
considerable changes are being / have been made. Most There is no charge for using the forums - all
important! The law will define the limits of a kibbutz. When a you need to do is register online. If you
community no longer takes mutual responsibility for its weaker haven't yet seen the forums, go to

members, it will cease to be a kibbutz. http://www.findhorn.org/forums and click
Each kibbutz will have to decide into which category it belongs. register to get started.

Findhorn Foundation, Communications, The

Check out the next issue of C.A.L.L. for Park, Findhorn, Forres 1V36 3TZ, Scotland tel:
++44 1309 691620 fax: ++ 44 1309 691663
part II of this interview.
Bulletin of the International Communal
Studies Association No. 34 - November 2003

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