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extent that even a few strive to live for equality, the world continues to marvel. This
movement continues to be an example to the rest of the world that claims it can’t be
done. Yes, the sharing is not perfect, but we noticed embers of the original spark, and
we were encouraged.

What is more, thousands of ‘youth movement’ graduates are now seeking to redefine
what community and sharing mean. They are setting up small cells of ten people who live
together in sharing community. These join together with other cells to form a bigger
kibbutz. Unlike the former traditional kibbutz, it often has no distinct address to call
home, but is immersed in an urban neighborhood and in the hearts of the members.
Their mission? Education. Through proper education, they feel they can change society.
They are creating teachers and educators who are making radical changes in the lives
of many disadvantaged immigrants, children from poor homes, and in some cases
Palestinians and Druze. They hope that some of these children will grow up to form the
next generation of teachers and so widen the circles of influence in society. Far from
perfect, the vision is amazing and they’ve been at it now for over 15 years… Will it
really change Israeli society? We certainly hope so.

Why should I be interested in these community attempts?

Living in community myself, I know that it is never easy or straight forward. It requires
a constant listening to the spirit that moves between people and steering by the wind
of the good spirit. It means sacrifice, trust and commitment. It also means balancing
home and solid family life with the desire to “change the world…” This means that
unless a clear line is drawn on morals and values that we all know are right, our own
perversity rots into our work and our mission. Finding this balance is not easy and needs
daily re-centering.

Does this Israeli attempt at community have anything to do with us Christians?

Absolutely! We visited one of these communities in Nazareth, close to the place where
Jesus gave his first sermon (Luke 4). There he proclaimed the return of property to
original owners and the freedom of slaves – in other words: equality and brotherhood.
As we discussed this over dinner, they understood instantly. This is not a Jewish /
Israeli phenomenon; this is as Christian as it gets and exactly what the first Christians
practiced.

So, do I like Israel?

Yes! But with that ‘yes’ goes a caveat. Jew and Palestinian, religious and secular, rich
and poor all need to find a way to live in harmony and true justice. Rather than the
constant news feed of individualism and bloodshed, the world needs to hear of Israel as
an international leader in cooperation and sharing. My journey, and what I learned is a
great encouragement: There are the beginnings of a different way.

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