Page 24 - C.A.L.L. #34 - Winter 2011/2012
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Mish'ol: An Urban Kibbutz By Bill Metcalf
Degania, the first kibbutz, was 30s, markedly different from the aging
established in Palestine in 1910, and membership of conventional rural
still operates today. Kibbutzim became kibbutzim. Mish'ol members live within
the biggest intentional community smaller, more intimate living groups
movement in the world, with several of known as kvutza (plural kvutzot), each
the 269 rural kibbutzim having more with six to 10 adults plus children.
than 500 members. Over recent years, Most meals are eaten within these
however, many of these kibbutzim have smaller groupings. Members of each
been privatising and their future is not kvutza can best be thought of as
bright. comprising a household or pseudo-
family, and one might
think of Kibbutz Mish'ol
as a federation of these
eight kvutzot
(households).
Mish'ol members tell me
they have a vision to be
"an alternative to wider
Israeli society through
sharing all life together"
and equally important to
be an "alternative to the
way of life within
traditional kibbutzim."
Several members tell me
Contrary to this trend in Israel is the they are "reclaiming socialism" but I
development of about 100 active and am unsure how widely that view is
passionate urban kibbutzim whose shared. Members are not rejecting the
members try to adapt the old kibbutz conventional rural kibbutz model but
model to a new social, political, and feel that while it may have been
economic environment. Kibbutz Reshit, suitable for 20th century Palestine,
in Jerusalem, is the oldest of these, then Israel, it is unsuitable for 21st
having been established in about 1980. century conditions. One member tells
The biggest urban kibbutz is Mish'ol, me: "two things are broken and need
located in the small city of Migdal repairs: Israel and kibbutzim." An
Ha'emek, near Nazareth, Israel, and active and passionate commitment to
here I am staying for several days in peace, justice, and equality is a theme
July 2010. running through my conversations with
Kibbutz Mish'ol was established by 25 members.
people in 2000, and now has 82 adult Kibbutz Mish'ol has a large rented
members and 32 children, the oldest of house in which no one lives but from
whom is just starting second grade. where their non-profit educational
Most adults are aged in their 20s or programs operate, where members
