Page 5 - C.A.L.L. #41 - Summer 2016

We spent a morning visiting the urban socialist
community Tarbut (Hebrew for “culture”). This is
yet another kind of kibbutz – one that is located
in urban centers, shares economic and housing
resources, and is completely dedicated to the
development of arts and culture. It is a
community of young artists, with groups in 15
different cities throughout Israel. They put on
amazing festivals, community theater programs,
pop up museums and more. They also maintain a
significant focus on LGBT programming and
inclusion. While this is already a large component
of public life in Tel Aviv, Tarbut is helping spread
Meeting with the engaging members of Tarbut. this key concept throughout the country. They are
now developing a youth movement to help
support the future growth of the organization.

The farm at Achlit.

Visiting Modern Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox intentional communities was a very special part of this
tour. A key aspect of the diversity of intentional communities in Israel is religious diversity – there are
many secular kibbutzim, but also many that are deeply religious. For example, we visited Elad, an ultra-
Orthodox community near Jerusalem. There we met with a rabbi who has built a community within the
town, helping families, especially those who didn’t grow up religious, attain social support as well as
providing mentorship and other services to at-risk youth. We visited the headquarters of Bnei Akiva, a
large Modern Orthodox youth movement active throughout Israel. We learned how they have created
alumni efforts for young adults to live in groups and provide community service. Some of this has
developed into young families moving together into communities to share their lives while providing
service to others. A third example was in Lod, with Kehillat Elyashiv, which established itself in the city
about ten years ago. Over the years they provided mutual support and community service, while each

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