Page 24 - C.A.L.L. #27 - Summer 2006

Kibbutz ibbutz -- Idea in Danger Idea in Danger
Kibbutz Kibbutz -- Idea in Danger Idea in Danger
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by Fritz Vilmar (translated by Yoel Darom)y Fritz Vilmar (translated by Yoel Darom)
by Fritz Vilmar (translated by Yoel Darom)by Fritz Vilmar (translated by Yoel Darom)
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When we look at the Kibbutz today, let us not forget that between 1910 and 1948 the Kibbutz hen we look at the Kibbutz today, let us not forget that between 1910 and 1948 the Kibbutz
When we look at the Kibbutz today, let us not forget that between 1910 and 1948 the Kibbutz When we look at the Kibbutz today, let us not forget that between 1910 and 1948 the Kibbutz
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played a decisive role of pure selflayed a decisive role of pure self--defense. This has to be stressed, especially in view of thedefense. This has to be stressed, especially in view of the
played a decisive role of pure selfplayed a decisive role of pure self--defense. This has to be stressed, especially in view of thedefense. This has to be stressed, especially in view of the
‘leftist’ antileftist’ anti--Kibbutz ideologies which worship the Arab presentations without the slightest Kibbutz ideologies which worship the Arab presentations without the slightest
‘leftist’ anti‘leftist’ anti--Kibbutz ideologies which worship the Arab presentations without the slightest Kibbutz ideologies which worship the Arab presentations without the slightest
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reservation ... reservation ...
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reservation ... eservation ...

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The "existential crisis" that the Kibbutz movement has been going through The "existential crisis" that the Kibbutz movement has been going through
The "existential crisis" that the Kibbutz movement has been going through he "existential crisis" that the Kibbutz movement has been going through
for the last two decades does not pivot only around the demand for mofor the last two decades does not pivot only around the demand for more re
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for the last two decades does not pivot only around the demand for moor the last two decades does not pivot only around the demand for more re
individualization and liberalization of Kibbutz life. After all, this ongoing individualization and liberalization of Kibbutz life. After all, this ongoing
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individualization and liberalization of Kibbutz life. After all, this ongoing ndividualization and liberalization of Kibbutz life. After all, this ongoing
confrontation has been a constant companion of all Kibbutzim from the onfrontation has been a constant companion of all Kibbutzim from the
confrontation has been a constant companion of all Kibbutzim from the confrontation has been a constant companion of all Kibbutzim from the
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first days on, when pure collectivists got all excited over the "individual irst days on, when pure collectivists got all excited over the "individual
f first days on, when pure collectivists got all excited over the "individual first days on, when pure collectivists got all excited over the "individual
l luxury" of comrades who brouguxury" of comrades who brought a tea ht a tea kettlekettle into their tents. Later stages into their tents. Later stages
luxury" of comrades who brougluxury" of comrades who brought a tea ht a tea kettlekettle into their tents. Later stages into their tents. Later stages
of this trend brought with them a telephone, a T.V. set and lately even a f this trend brought with them a telephone, a T.V. set and lately even a
of this trend brought with them a telephone, a T.V. set and lately even a of this trend brought with them a telephone, a T.V. set and lately even a
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private car!rivate car!
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private car!private car!

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In view of the meltingIn view of the melting--away of more and more collective regimentation, I have often heard the away of more and more collective regimentation, I have often heard the
In view of the meltingn view of the melting--away of more and more collective regimentation, I have often heard the away of more and more collective regimentation, I have often heard the
question raised, mainly q question raised, mainly veterans: "Is this still a Kibbutz?". So I put up a counter veterans: "Is this still a Kibbutz?". So I put up a counter--question: question:
question raised, mainly by byuestion raised, mainly by by veterans: "Is this still a Kibbutz?". So I put up a counter veterans: "Is this still a Kibbutz?". So I put up a counter--question: question:
"What actually is the basic principle of the Kibbutz?". An intensive spiritual debate brings up as What actually is the basic principle of the Kibbutz?". An intensive spiritual debate brings up as
" "What actually is the basic principle of the Kibbutz?". An intensive spiritual debate brings up as "What actually is the basic principle of the Kibbutz?". An intensive spiritual debate brings up as
the basic principle: EACH ACCORDING TO HIS/HER ABILITY, TO EACH ACCORDING TO the basic principle: EACH ACCORDING TO HIS/HER ABILITY, TO EACH ACCORDING TO
t the basic principle: EACH ACCORDING TO HIS/HER ABILITY, TO EACH ACCORDING TO he basic principle: EACH ACCORDING TO HIS/HER ABILITY, TO EACH ACCORDING TO
HIS/HER H HIS/HER EEDS". And this means absolute separation of your EEDS". And this means absolute separation of your
HIS/HER N NIS/HER N NEEDS". And this means absolute separation of your EEDS". And this means absolute separation of your
contribution to the general income of the community from your ontribution to the general income of the community from your
contribution to the general income of the community from your contribution to the general income of the community from your
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own part of it: everyone works for the common pocket as well as own part of it: everyone works for the common pocket as well as
own part of it: everyone works for the common pocket as well as wn part of it: everyone works for the common pocket as well as
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you are able to you are able to -- and society lets you and all others have their fair and society lets you and all others have their fair
you are able to ou are able to -- and society lets you and all others have their fair and society lets you and all others have their fair
share. hare.
share. share.
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But this seems to be, today, the "wrong" base in the eyes of the ut this seems to be, today, the "wrong" base in the eyes of the
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But this seems to be, today, the "wrong" base in the eyes of the But this seems to be, today, the "wrong" base in the eyes of the
"reformers" in the Kibbutz movement, who succeeded to pull over to reformers" in the Kibbutz movement, who succeeded to pull over to
" "reformers" in the Kibbutz movement, who succeeded to pull over to "reformers" in the Kibbutz movement, who succeeded to pull over to
their side 30their side 30--40% 40% (ed(ed:: many more than this) many more than this) of the Kibbutzim the Kibbutzim in
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of
their side 30heir side 30--40% 40% (ed(ed:: many more than this) many more than this) of the Kibbutzim in in of the Kibbutzim in
Israel. The introduction of differential wages and private property, srael. The introduction of differential wages and private property,
I Israel. The introduction of differential wages and private property, Israel. The introduction of differential wages and private property,
no more rotation o more rotation in highin high--up positions, less and less solidarity in the up positions, less and less solidarity in the
no more rotation no more rotation in highin high--up positions, less and less solidarity in the up positions, less and less solidarity in the
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communal caretaking of members and high salaries for the ommunal caretaking of members and high salaries for the
communal caretaking of members and high salaries for the communal caretaking of members and high salaries for the
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managers, all this is now being accepted on these Kibbutzim. anagers, all this is now being accepted on these Kibbutzim.
managers, all this is now being accepted on these Kibbutzim. managers, all this is now being accepted on these Kibbutzim.
m Fritz Vilmar

With these capitalist elements of inequality, of profitith these capitalist elements of inequality, of profit--orientation of the individorientation of the individual and the reual and the re--
With these capitalist elements of inequality, of profitWith these capitalist elements of inequality, of profit--orientation of the individorientation of the individual and the reual and the re--
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i introduction of class and leadership, I see ntroduction of class and leadership, I see the poisoning of Kibbutz lifethe poisoning of Kibbutz life, a deadly crisis of the , a deadly crisis of the
introduction of class and leadership, I see introduction of class and leadership, I see the poisoning of Kibbutz lifethe poisoning of Kibbutz life, a deadly crisis of the , a deadly crisis of the
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Kibbutz movement. Wherever these radical changes were introduced ibbutz movement. Wherever these radical changes were introduced - -- - by the way, with no by the way, with no
Kibbutz movement. Wherever these radical changes were introduced Kibbutz movement. Wherever these radical changes were introduced by the way, with no by the way, with no
striking economic success triking economic success -- it is, in my eyes, not a Kib it is, in my eyes, not a Kibbutz anymore, even if that is what they butz anymore, even if that is what they
striking economic success striking economic success -- it is, in my eyes, not a Kib it is, in my eyes, not a Kibbutz anymore, even if that is what they butz anymore, even if that is what they
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keep calling themselves. eep calling themselves.
keep calling themselves. keep calling themselves.

Excerptedxcerpted from KursKontakte, Eurotopia, March 2006. The writer, FRITZ VILMAR has been active in Berlin, for many from KursKontakte, Eurotopia, March 2006. The writer, FRITZ VILMAR has been active in Berlin, for many
ExcerptedExcerpted from KursKontakte, Eurotopia, March 2006. The writer, FRITZ VILMAR has been active in Berlin, for many from KursKontakte, Eurotopia, March 2006. The writer, FRITZ VILMAR has been active in Berlin, for many
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years, researching and writing about ears, researching and writing about aalternative strategies and ways of democralternative strategies and ways of democratization.tization.
years, researching and writing about years, researching and writing about aalternative strategies and ways of democralternative strategies and ways of democratization.tization.
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