Page 26 - C.A.L.L. #27 - Summer 2006

Maagal Hakvutsot (lit. ‘The Circle of Groups’) Creative Arts Gathering

Around 80 people, every one a member of a logue that is conducted by the [communal]
communal group somewhere in Israel, gath- groups and their members with Israeli Soci-
ered recently for a half-day Creative Arts ety.
Gathering in Tel Aviv.
Instead, I chose
The subject of the meeting was: Culture and to attend the ses-
creativity in the communal group, communal sion looking at
group creativity and creativity of their mem- the contribution
bers, the influence of the communal group of Judaism to the
on the general culture in Israel and the cul- [communal]
tural dialogue that exists between the group’s culture
communal groups and wider Israeli society. and the contribution of the [communal]
group to Jewish culture. Esti and Uri were
By 9am most people had already arrived, and the facilitators, both from communes in Jeru-
we were tuck- salem (Esti is from a relatively new commu-
ing in to the nity and Uri lives in a much older community
very tasty which has an interesting mix of both religious
homemade and secular members). During the workshop,
cakes and we looked at various examples of resources
biscuits (art in that have been writ-
themselves!). It ten by communities
had been six months since the last gathering for the purpose of
of this forum and it was lovely to catch up celebrating Jewish
with people and hear news from all the festivals and life-cycle
communes that were represented. events. An eclectic
mix of traditional
When the coffees were finished, we were texts, songs, con-
invited to view the exhibition of the creations temporary poetry and
of members of the Maagal. There were two passages written by members of the com-
large rooms full of poetry, photography, munities themselves (and quotes by Karl
ceramics, paintings, sketches, music, dolls Marx!) had been thoughtfully brought to-
and even gether to create meaningful ceremonies and
decorative holidays.
cakes. The
artists were At eleven-thirty, the workshops finished, and
all on hand people wandered back to the brunch buffet
and were table and partook in more homemade food.
more than Each group had contributed by bringing
happy to something. We feasted on salads, dips,
chat about quiche, bread, cheese etc etc
their com-
positions. It was overwhelming to discover At twelve, the second round of workshops
the depth of talent and creativity of people were starting. I decided to pass on the dance
living communally in Israel. and contact session, so too the workshop on
the meaning of creativity and culture in the
Just after ten am, the first round of Work- life of the group, run by Maor from a
shops started. I didn’t choose the workshop community in the desert town of Be’er
entitled: Group creativity: The cultural dia-

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