Kibbutz means group in Hebrew. It is a modest name for something unique: a voluntary democratic community where people live and work together on a non-competitive basis. Its aim is to generate an economically and socially independent society founded on principles of communal ownership of property, social justice, and equality.
The first kibbutzim (plural of kibbutz) were organized by idealistic young Zionists who came to Palestine in the beginning of the 20th Century. Their dream was not just to settle the land it, but to build a whole new kind of society. Despite many hardships, they succeeded in creating a social system and a way of life which has played a crucial role in the development of the State of Israel both culturally and politically.
Over the years the kibbutzim have multiplied, prospered, and adapted themselves to changing realities. Today some 270 kibbutzim, varying in size from 80 to over 2,000 people, are scattered throughout Israel. With a total populace of around 120,000 they represent about 2.8 percent of Israel’s population.
In the early days of the kibbutz movement, all kibbutzim were based on a foundation of agriculture. These days, however, the economies of kibbutzim cannot be sustained on agriculture alone. Most kibbutzim have branched out into industry to increase their productivity. Kibbutz factories manufacture a wide variety of products from electronics, furniture, household appliances and plastics to farm machinery and irrigation systems.
Most kibbutz members work in some section of the kibbutz economy: orchards, factory, dairy, fishponds, or in one of its maintenance units. Routine jobs such as dining room duties are rotated among members. When too few members are available for a particular job, outside workers may be hired and paid wages or receive room and board on the kibbutz.
Kibbutzim, like any other society, are made of individuals who are all different from one another. Some members of kibbutz identify strongly with the pioneer spirit that founded the kibbutz. Others, if not pioneers themselves, the children of the pioneers, are now grown up and have families of their own on the kibbutz. They are called “sabras”, or people who were born in Israel. (An interesting etymology that will give you a sense of Israeli character: “sabra” literally refers to a type of cactus fruit, which is hard and prickly on the outside, yet sweet and tender on the inside).
Many kibbutz members, however, will not fit this stereotypical image. Lots of kibbutzniks will look more or less like people from your hometown and in fact may even come from a place like your hometown. Many members of kibbutz are “olim” (immigrants) from foreign countries such as the United States, Australia, South Africa, Ethiopia, Russia or around Europe. Hebrew may not be their native language, but they all speak Hebrew, as it is the primary language spoken in Israel.
Some members of kibbutz are very old. Some of them were true pioneers in the early days of the founding of the state. Try to meet someone who was a founding member of the kibbutz where you are staying, and ask them to tell you stories about the early days of the kibbutz. It’s a great way to practice your Hebrew and learn some Israeli history at the same time!
Another significant group living on the kibbutz are the participants. What distinguishes a participant from a “chaver” (member) of the kibbutz? First, the participant lives on the kibbutz temporarily, while members stay for the long haul. Second, members have voting privileges which give them say in the issues of the kibbutz life; participants do not take part in that. Finally, members are eligible for a full use of all facilities on the kibbutz, while participants may not have access to certain facilities such as a ceramics studio or member’s moadon (clubhouse).
As a participant, remember that you are a guest in the home of the kibbutzniks. Because we come from a different culture, we view the grounds and facilities of the kibbutz differently than do members. For kibbutz members, the entire kibbutz is home, rather than a house with four walls. Take the kibbutz dining hall, for example. To the participant it looks like a cafeteria, which is public space. However, kibbutzniks see it as a dining room, which is private. Participants are essentially guests in the home of the kibbutzniks, and you should be respectful of that fact just as you would if you were visiting a friend in his or her house.
YOUR WORK ON THE KIBBUTZ:
Work will be your gateway into the kibbutz community; it will be a chance to meet the members of the kibbutz, and to gain their respect by showing that you can work responsibly. Working hard is a virtue on kibbutz! The well being of the kibbutz depends on its members dedicating themselves to their work, and your own work ethic will determine how the members relate to you.
The type of work you do on the kibbutz will depend on where you are needed. The work that you will be doing will depend on the season of the year as well as the needs of the kibbutz, but some common examples of jobs that volunteers do are laundry room, kitchen, dining hall, factory, gardening, agricultural work. Regardless of the specific job that you will be doing, your work is crucial in order for the kibbutz to function and you will be making an important contribution. The kibbutz will try to arrange the work according to preferences, but this may not always be possible. In this situation, patience and understanding is required. Many participants lack the agricultural skills and experiences which would make them more flexible with regard to work.
LIVING CONDITIONS:
Kibbutz life aims to take you away from the materialism of urban society, and it may lack some of the conveniences you are used to. For instance, the kibbutz telephone may be a ten-minute walk from your room. Trips to the bank, stores or cafes may mean getting out of the kibbutz. The living accommodations are dorm style, with two or three participants in a room with adjacent toilet and shower facilities. You will receive full board as well as sheets and blankets. Rooms will have basic furniture: a closet, a table, and a bed for each person.
LAUNDRY:
Your laundry will be done at the kibbutz’s laundry facilities. Laundry is collected once a week and is generally returned within a couple of days. Please keep in mind that the people doing the laundry wash clothes for hundreds of people, so they cannot pay special attention to particular items. The kibbutz will not be held responsible for items damaged in the laundry.
THE CONDITIONS FOR THE VOLUNTEERS:
The volunteers live in rooms with between 2 to 4 people in each room (depending on the kibbutz and the season). Six days a week the volunteers work 8 hours a day in the kibbutz. The work is dependent on the availability and the need of the kibbutz, but if possible, the volunteers' leader is always willing to try to satisfy the individual requests of the volunteers.
The volunteers receive three meals a day in the kibbutz. Every day around noon, the kibbutz population, as well as the volunteers, is served a hot, delicious and nutritious lunch in the common dinning room. In some kibbutzim the common dinning room serves only breakfast and lunch. In this case, the volunteers are provided with a small kitchen with cooking facilities and groceries to cook dinner for themselves. The volunteers then cook and eat together.
Once a month, one-day outings are organized for the volunteers, and each three months a three-day tour is also arranged. The volunteers are free to use the sports facilities of the kibbutz and the swimming pool. In most kibbutzim, a pub and even a disco is arranged for the volunteers and the younger population.
The kibbutz insures the volunteers with an ambulant health insurance through the kibbutz. For any situation that demands ambulant health treatment, the volunteers can approach the kibbutz’ doctor and or nurse.
Each month the volunteers are given three free days. Together with the volunteer leader, the volunteers decide when to “use” the free days. An amount of approximately 80
