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Communes and Intentional the here and now, and to always remember
Communities in the Second Half of that the mission is both internal and
the 20th Century by Ya'acov Oved external: from the individual and group to
the outer world. Being escapists won't aid
This book was published in Israel in 2009 long-term survival or influence the
and is a riveting eye opener for any surrounding reality, which communities
commune and alternative culture want to challenge, and then create a real
enthusiast. alternative for.
Tracing the communal scene decade by I recommend this book if and when you
decade, Oved incorporates the global want to uplift your spirits a little and get
atmosphere of each period, the hardships some historical perspective on what we are
faced and the dilemmas encountered, and trying to accomplish.
discusses the main reasons for people
joining this beautiful alternative way of Enjoy.
life. For every decade he gives examples
of specific communes or communities, Prof. Yaakov Oved is a member of Kibbutz
accompanied with pictures that help Palmachim, and has devoted many years
researching the history of communes. He has
stimulate the imagination, whilst served as chairman of both the International
describing some of the changes that they Communes Desk (ICD) and the International
went through over the years and what they Communal Studies Association (ICSA), the
are up to today. latter as a founding member.
It is exhilarating to discover During his research activities at
the diversity over time and ICSA he has published both
place, and to recognize the nationally and internationally on
many dilemmas that are similar topics related to the history of
worldwide and the different anarchism, socialism, utopian
studies, and the history and
answers that they receive. genealogy of communes.
The four main questions that Books published by Yaakov Oved:
the book left me with were the
balance between: - Communes and intentional
communities in the second half of
a) Private and public the twentieth century 1950-2000
b) How big or small should (2009)
the commune be
c) Selectiveness: Yes\no and how - Evidence of the brotherhood: History of the
communes of the Bruderhof brotherhood
d) How to raise and educate the (1996)
children.
- Distant brothers: the history of relations
Oved highlights the importance of sharing between the kibbutz movement and the
and fostering partnerships, not only within Bruderhof (1993)
community but also between communities –
creating a kind of cooperative of - Two hundred years of American communes
cooperatives, or better yet, a circle of (1986)
circles, to be joined on a voluntary basis.
In addition, he acknowledges the Review by Leor Shapiro, Kibbutz Mish’ol,
importance of creating a utopian society in the urban kibbutz in Migdal Ha’emek and
Nazareth Illit
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