Page 20 - C.A.L.L. #35 - Fall 2012

Welcome to “Kibbutz Shorts”,

where we discover what’s new
on the Kibbutz in an update
KIBBUTZ SHORTS
from around Israel.

Compiled mainly from the
Kibbutz weeklies by Yoel Darom,
Kibbutz Kfar Menachem

Although Kibbutzim were formed by groups from different countries holding somewhat
differing ideologies, they all adhered to the same way of life: an agricultural village of
Jewish, ardent Zionists (meaning that they devoted their lives to the establishment of a
new-old homeland for all Jews who want to join them). These were complete collectives, work
without wages, as all necessities were provided by the Kibbutz: food and housing, clothes and
shoes, health care, childcare and education. One of the main principles of this lifestyle was:
NO PRIVATE PROPERTY or, in other words, no connection between your work and your
"income". Income was a small budget that every member got, completely unconnected to their
work, related only to his/her number of children.

This arrangement existed for about 60 to 70 years (never without its problems and
arguments), until the second generation grew up and had their own children. They demanded
more "freedom" and less commitment, dissolved the common sleeping arrangement for the
children, demanded and were granted: freedom to study, to work where they like and receive
(and keep) their own wages.

This caused an immense revolution in each Kibbutz, a process usually called "privatization".
Many of us "veterans" fought this new trend but had to give in to the growing demand to
part from some of the holiest fundamentals of Kibbutz life. For many this was a personal
tragedy, others came to terms with the new "modern" Kibbutz life. And recently new voices
have been heard on Kibbutzim: maybe this new reality is not exactly what many of us had
feared? Maybe this is not treason, not complete abandonment of the old values, not a (by
many long-expected) move from collectivism to capitalism? Maybe this is the proper way
towards a new, healthier, promising way of communal life, which keeps taking care of the
collective but allows much more individual freedom?

This discussion is running on, in private conversations, kibbutz meetings, in the Movement
press (two weeklies!) and in sociology departments of universities and colleges. Would you,
readers of C.A.L.L., want to join in and voice your opinion, or will you patiently wait for the
next 50 years for the verdict of history?

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