Response Paper #7

http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.659277
Are people more inclined to move kibbutzim because they no longer exhibit the communal values that they were founded on?

Kibbutzim were originally founded based on two principals: zionism and socialism. The pioneers were intent upon living in Israel as well as creating a community with shared property and values. In the past few years following economic problems kibbutzim have lost many of their members. However, recently there has been a resurgence in membership and spirit as well as a change in the values of the kibbutz. The current structure of the kibbutz embodies some communal values developed during its founding but much of that has been eliminated and more members have moved on to kibbutzim as they have become more privatized.

Possession of private property is a value that did not exist on original kibbutzim but is a phenomenon that exists today. Originally kibbtuzniks lived in a community where they owned nothing and yet they owned everything. They would live in houses and wear clothes and eat food that the whole community owned. A recent development is that people can own their own possessions including things as big as their houses. For members of a kibbutz “salaries go to the kibbutz and members either get half the sum back or an allowance” which gives them the opportunity to purchase private goods (Lubell). In the past the income kibbutzniks generated at work would provide enough resources for them to live. Now people want more than their basic resources and they can now purchase that as they are no longer required to turn their full income over to the kibbutz community. This has incentivized people like Viner-Shwarzbard to return to the kibbutz she grew up on since she can now maintain certain possessions she acquired since she left the kibbutz.

Kibbutzim used to employ all of their residents in their agriculture and various businesses but now people are not required to participate in kibbutz employment. Now “in most of the communities, members no longer have to work largely in kibbutz-assigned jobs for a modest monthly allowance. Instead, they can pursue their own professional paths and earn their own wages, a portion of which may go back to the kibbutz” (Lubell). Allowing people to work outside of the kibbutz in whatever career field they choose is exciting but it also eliminates a lot of the principles of communal living. People like Nir Ortal can pursue a career they are passionate about like working for a start-up company and still gain the benefits of of a community. In a communal lifestyle all of the members of the community participate in the upkeep of the tasks that need to be done including housekeeping, cooking as well as the businesses the community owns together. In the modern model of the kibbutz this has been partially abandoned and that eliminates a sense of community and hard work that the communal lifestyle generates. However, it also allows people who are passionate about their jobs to be a part of the kibbutzim community.

Kibbutz appeal was in decline and much of the reason that kibbutz following has increased is due to the privatization which makes kibbutz life more appealing. Prospective residents are eager to experience a rural lifestyle in a close community that is different then their lifestyle. They are excited to experience the perks of communal life without having to commit fully to abandoning their possessions because communities have moved away from most of their founding principles.

 

 

 

Works Cited

Maayan Lubell, “The New Rise of Israel’s Kibbutzim: More Young Families Opt for Communal Life,” Haaretz, June 03 2015, November 10 2015