Page 25 - C.A.L.L. #32 - Summer 2010
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Calling ourselves a kibbutz, we many years to come. We try not to
sometimes ruffle feathers. “You aren't a privilege one over the other, because
real kibbutz! Where's the single shared everyone's contributions today are
bank account? Where are the workers in valuable. A resident who is moving away
the orange groves?” To be fair, the same next month has an equal voice in choosing
questions can be asked of most kibbutzim new community members, even though she
today, and we figure a little won't live with them. Some tension,
experimentation couldn't hurt a distressed however, is unavoidable. Kibbutzniks who
movement - but we do struggle with this have been around tend to accrue power
“kibbutz” ideal ourselves. Our internal through knowledge; and those who want to
challenges are more basic than economic stay to raise families are naturally more
philosophy. They are, interested in long-term
simply: land, children, and community planning.
commitment. Living together
Children are a with these challenges is
challenge, because today not bad. If anything, it
the Kibbutz is a pushes us to become more
community of young understanding,
pioneers in a young city compassionate, and better
where we come to pursue communicators. The
careers, education, and Ravenna Kibbutz is hard to
personal growth. Sometimes we half- define on paper, but the experience day-
jokingly call the Kibbutz “Jewish summer to-day is deep and real. Our conflicts light
camp for adults.” But we all think a the way to growth, together and as
community like ours would be a wonderful individuals - and no one will ever claim that
place for children. So as some of us look life on the Kibbutz is boring!
ahead to starting our families, we wonder Our other unofficial motto is, “The
how to balance space and resources, such Ravenna Kibbutz: company when you want
that children growing up here would not it, solitude when you need it, and cholent*
prevent adults from feeling like they are when you least expect it!” It's a statement
equally free to keep of life balance - community
growing up here as well support, personal growth
(making “that's what she and wellbeing, cultural
said” jokes all the way). belonging, and the
In an American culture playfulness that makes the
where moving away from whole process not merely
family is a standard part bearable but fun - and it's
of maturation, trying to not clear, even after we've
build a community where built so much, what on
people in different earth this community will
stages of life feel equally at home and look like in three years, much less thirty.
empowered requires us to overcome Still, so long as we can speak that motto
fundamental notions of who our fellows and feel its truth, equally in seriousness
are. and in laughter, then I can say it will have
Our community demands a lot of its been entirely worthwhile.
residents - money, time, patience, and
tolerance - but we have stopped short of joel@ravennakibbutz.org
demanding long-term commitment. Some http://ravennakibbutz.org
residents come and go. Others have been
here from the beginning and would stay for *Cholent is a traditional Jewish stew.
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