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The Kibbutz & Moshav: History & Overview

Category » The Kibbutz and Moshav

Reference

History & Overview

Kibbutzim: Then & Now

Kibbutz Artzi Federation

Hashomer Hatzair

Kibbutz Festivals

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The Kibbutz & Moshav:

Table of Contents

Then & Now

Kibbutz Festivals

The kibbutz (Hebrew word for “communal settlement”) is a unique rural community; a society dedicated
to mutual aid and social justice; a socioeconomic system based on the principle of joint ownership of
property, equality and cooperation of production, consumption and education; the fulfillment of the
idea “from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs”; a home for those who have
chosen it.

The first kibbutzim (plural of “kibbutz”) were founded some 40 years before the establishment of the
State of Israel (1948). Degania (from the Hebrew “dagan,” meaning grain), located south of Lake
Kinneret, was established in 1909 by a group of pioneers on land acquired by the Jewish National Fund.
Their founders were young Jewish pioneers, mainly from Eastern Europe, who came not only to reclaim
the soil of their ancient homeland, but also to forge a new way of life. Their path was not easy: a hostile
environment, inexperience with physical labor, a lack of agricultural know-how, desolate land neglected
for centuries, scarcity of water and a shortage of funds were among the difficulties confronting them.
Overcoming many hardships, they succeeded in developing thriving communities which have played a
dominant role in the establishment and building of the state.

Today some 270 kibbutzim, with memberships ranging from 40 to more than 1,000, are scattered
throughout the country. Most of them have between 300 and 400 adult members, and a population of
500-600. The number of people living in kibbutzim totals approximately 130,000, about 2.5 percent of
the country's population. Most kibbutzim belong to one of three national kibbutz movements, each
identified with a particular ideology.

Kibbutz Population

Year No. of

kibbutzim Kibbutz

Population

1910 1

1920 12 805

1930 29 3,900

1940 82 26,550

1950 214 67,550

1960 229 77,950

1970 229 85,100

1980 255 111,200

1990 270 125,100

2000 268 117,300

Organization

Most kibbutzim are laid out according to a similar plan. The residential area encompasses carefully-
tended members' homes and gardens, children's houses and playgrounds for every age group, and
communal facilities such as a dining hall, auditorium, library, swimming pool, tennis court, medical clinic,
laundry, grocery and the like. Adjacent to the living quarters are sheds for dairy cattle and modern
chicken coops, as well as one or more industrial plants. Agricultural fields, orchards and fish ponds are
located around the perimeter, a short tractor ride from the center. To get from place to place within the
kibbutz, people either walk or ride bicycles, while electric carts are provided for the disabled and elderly.

The kibbutz functions as a direct democracy. The general assembly of all its members formulates policy,
elects officers, authorizes the kibbutz budget and approves new members. It serves not only as a
decision-making body but also as a forum where members may express their opinions and views.

Day-to-day affairs are handled by elected committees, which deal with areas such as housing, finance,
production planning, health, and culture. The chairpersons of some of these committees, together with
the secretary (who holds the top position in the kibbutz) form the kibbutz executive. The positions of
secretary, treasurer and work coordinator are, as a rule, full-time, while other members serve on
committees in addition to their regular jobs.

Making the Desert Bloom

For the founders, tilling the soil of their ancient homeland and transforming city dwellers into farmers
was an ideology, not just a way to earn a livelihood. Over the years, kibbutz farmers made barren lands
bloom, with field crops, orchards, poultry, dairy and fish farming, and-more recently-organic agriculture
becoming the mainstays of their economy.

Through a combination of hard work and advanced farming methods, they achieved remarkable results,
accounting for a large percentage of Israel's agricultural output to this day.

Production activities of the kibbutzim are organized in several autonomous branches. While most of
them are still in agriculture, today virtually all kibbutzim have also expanded into various kinds of
industry.

Although manufacturing a wide range of products, from fashion clothing to irrigation systems, the
majority of kibbutz industry is concentrated in three main branches: metal work, plastics and processed
foods. Most industrial facilities are rather small, with less than a hundred workers.
In many areas, kibbutzim have pooled their resources, establishing regional enterprises such as cotton
gins and poultry-packing plants, as well as providing a gamut of services ranging from computer data
compilation to joint purchasing and marketing. The contribution of the kibbutzim to the country's
production, both in agriculture (33 percent of farm produce) and in industry (6.3 percent of
manufactured goods) is far greater than their share of the population (2.5 percent). In recent years,
increasing numbers of kibbutzim have become centers for tourism, with recreational facilities such as
guest houses, swimming pools, horseback riding, tennis courts, museums, exotic animal farms and water
parks for Israelis and foreign visitors alike.

As Israel's population grew and urban centers expanded, some kibbutzim found themselves virtually
suburbs of cities. Due to this proximity, many of them now offer services to the public such as
commercial laundries, catering, factory outlet stores and child care, including summer camps.

The Work Ethic

Work is a value in and of itself, the concept of the dignity of labor elevating the most menial job, with no
special status, material or otherwise, attached to any task.

Where Kibbutz Members Work

Branch

Agriculture & Fisheries

24

Industry & Quarries

24

Tourism, Commerce & Finance

11

Transportation & Communication

5
Building & Utilities

Public & Community Services

18

Personal Services

17

Members are assigned to positions for varying lengths of time, while routine functions such as kitchen
and dining hall duty are performed on a rotation basis. Each economic branch is headed by an elected
administrator who is replaced every 2-3 years. An economic coordinator is responsible for organizing the
work of the different branches and for implementing production and investment plans.

Although management positions are increasingly professionalized, the kibbutzim have adopted various
methods of administration and organization to adapt their economic structure to the needs of the times
without losing a sense of mutual responsibility and equality of work.

Women are equal participants in the labor force, with jobs in all parts of the kibbutz open to them.
However, in contrast to kibbutz women two generations ago who sought to prove their worth by doing
“men's work,“ the majority today are reluctant to become involved in agriculture and industry,
preferring jobs in education, health and other services. Older members receive suitable work
assignments according to their health and stamina.

Most members work in the kibbutz itself. However, some are employed in regional kibbutz enterprises,
a few are sent by the kibbutz to perform educational and political functions under the aegis of its
national movement, and others pursue their own special talent or profession outside the kibbutz
framework. The income of these outside workers is turned over to the kibbutz.

The occasional lack of personnel for factories, agricultural tasks, tourism services and other jobs
necessitates hiring paid workers, although this practice is contrary to the kibbutz principle of self-
reliance in labor. Many kibbutzim host young volunteers from Israel and abroad for periods of one
month or longer in exchange for work, thus partially solving the dilemma of obtaining outside labor.

Year Number of

Workers

1990 18,791

1992 20,223

1994 22,958

1996 25,673

1998 26,843

2000 29,290

Year Percentage of hired Workers

1990 29.9%

1992 40.7%

1994 48.6%

1996 56.4%

1998 62.0%

2000 66.7%

Source: Kibbutz Industry Association

Raising Children

Unlike former times when they lived in communal children's houses, children in the majority of
kibbutzim today sleep at their parents' home until they reach high school age. However, most of their
waking hours are still spent with their peers in facilities adapted specifically for each age group. At the
same time, parents are becoming increasingly involved in their children's activities, and the family unit is
gaining more importance in the structure of the kibbutz community. Thus the granddaughters of women
who 75 years ago insisted on being released from domestic chores are now the leading force within the
kibbutz for more parental involvement in the upbringing of young children and for allocating women
more time at home with their families.

Children grow up knowing the value and importance of work and that everyone must do their share.
From kindergarten, the educational system emphasizes cooperation in daily life and, from the early
school grades, youngsters are assigned duties and take decisions with regard to their peer group. Young
children perform regular age-appropriate tasks, older children assume certain jobs in the kibbutz and, at
high school level, they devote one full day each week to work in a branch of the kibbutz economy.

Elementary schools are usually on the kibbutz premises, while older children attend a regional kibbutz
high school serving several area kibbutzim, in order to experience a broader range of academic subjects
and social contacts. At all age levels, accommodations are available for youngsters with special talents or
needs.

Some 40 percent of all kibbutz children return to settle on their kibbutz after army service. The majority
of kibbutz members today grew up in the kibbutz and decided to build their life there.

Meeting Individual Needs

Based on the voluntary participation of its members, the kibbutz is a communal society which assumes
responsibility for its members' needs throughout their lives. It is a society that strives to allow
individuals to develop to their fullest potential, while demanding responsibility and commitment from
each person to contribute to the welfare of the community. For some, the feelings of security and
satisfaction engendered by belonging to a small, closed community are among the advantages of
kibbutz living, while others might find communal life very confining.

At first kibbutz society as a whole took precedence over the family unit. In time, this priority shifted, as
the community became increasingly family-centered. Today, in the context of a normal society of
grandparents, mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles, sons and daughters, the kibbutz still offers a level
of cooperation which provides a social framework and personal economic security.
Compared to the past, kibbutzim today offer their members a much wider range of individual choices.
Members have more latitude in all aspects of their lives, from the selection of clothing and home
furnishings to where and how to spend their vacations. More opportunities are available to participate
in higher education, and the special needs of artists and writers are recognized, with time given them to
pursue their own projects. Although no money actually changes hands, members allot themselves a
predetermined amount of credit each year to spend as they wish.

Contributing to the State

The kibbutz is not only a form of settlement and a lifestyle, it is also an integral part of Israeli society.
Before the establishment of the State of Israel and in the first years of statehood, the kibbutz assumed
central functions in settlement, immigration, defense and agricultural development. When these
functions were transferred to the government, the interaction between the kibbutz and the society at
large decreased, though it never stopped completely. Besides active involvement in the country's
political life, the kibbutz has also carried out various national tasks over the years.

A considerable number of kibbutzim run five-month study courses for new immigrants, which combine
intensive Hebrew language instruction, in-depth tours of the country and lectures on various aspects of
Israeli life with periods of work on the kibbutz. Participants who decide to stay in the kibbutz may apply
for membership. Some kibbutzim take part in a project in which they accept youth from disadvantaged
families for their high school years. Some of these young people choose to continue living on the kibbutz
and become members.

Traditions

Over the years, the kibbutzim have evolved unique ways of celebrating traditional Jewish festivals and
national holidays, as well as personal milestones such as weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs and anniversaries.
Seasonal and agricultural events, which were commemorated in biblical times, have been revitalized
through song, dance and the arts.

Cultural activity abounds, with films and professional performances presented frequently in kibbutz
auditoriums, in addition to closed-circuit television several hours daily, offering programs geared to the
interests and tastes of the members. Pooling the talents of kibbutz members all over the country, the
kibbutz movements sponsor a number of professional groups, including a symphony orchestra, chamber
ensembles, modern and folk dance troupes, choirs and a theater company, which perform regularly in
Israel and abroad.
Museums which specialize in subjects such as archaeology, nature, art, Jewish history and the
development of the land of Israel have been established by some kibbutzim, attracting members and
visitors in large numbers.

Renewal

After years of declining productivity and membership, Amnon Rubinstein has noted the kibbutzim have
been making a comeback. In 1997, kibbutz production was valued at NIS 20 billion. In 2006, the figure
grew to NIS 27 billion. During the same period, the kibbutzim erased a collective debt of NIS 700 million
and turned a NIS 1.2 billion profit. “Differential pay was introduced into the kibbutz structure;
management has become increasingly professionalized; and the community and business structures
have been separated,” Rubinstein observed. “The community has retained its ideology of equality as
much as possible, whereas the business enterprise has operated according to market-driven
parameters. Today's kibbutzim still manage their funds in such a way that the weak, elderly and those
members unable to earn high wages are cared for.”

Looking to the Future

The kibbutz is a social and economic achievement that grew out of a pioneering society, prospered along
with a rapidly expanding economy and distinguished itself with its contribution to the establishment and
development of the state.

Today's kibbutz is the accomplishment of three generations. The founders, motivated by strong
convictions and a distinct ideology, forged a society with a unique communal way of life. Their children,
born into the kibbutz framework, worked hard to consolidate its economic, social and administrative
structures. The present generation, which grew up in an established and prosperous society, is applying
its energies and talents to meet the challenges of modern life in the technological age.

Some fear that by adjusting to changing circumstances, the kibbutz is abandoning many of its original
principles; others believe that this ability to adapt and compromise is the key to its survival. Whatever
lies ahead, as long as the kibbutz maintains its democratic nature, and the spirit of voluntarism,
commitment and idealism continues to motivate its members, it will have creative and compelling
resources with which to meet the demands of the future.
Sources:

Amnon Rubinstein, “Return of the kibbutzim,” Jerusalem Post, (July 10, 2007); Israeli Foreign Ministry

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(pl. kibbutzim). A communal settlement in modern Israel.

(Heb. To Cross Over). The Israelite nation and language.

The State of the Jewish people, founded in 1948. Also; a name given to the Jewish patriarch Jacob
according to Genesis 32.38. In Jewish biblical times, this name refers to the northern tribes, but also to
the entire nation. Historically, Jews have continued to regard themselves as the true continuation of the
ancient Israelite national-religious community. In modern times, it also refers to the political state of
Israel.

The first collective settlement in Palestine, the kvutza Degania, is located south of Lake Kinneret, where
the Jordan River emerges from the lake. It was established in 1909 by a group of pioneers on land
acquired by the Jewish National Fund, and named Degania for the Hebrew “dagan,” meaning grain. In
1911, a second group, which based itself on the principles of collectivism, made Degania the “mother of
the collective settlements.” A.D. Gordon, an early member, played an important role in laying the
ideological foundations for collective living. Hundreds of kibbutzim and kvutzot were later founded on
this model, and together they created a singular enterprise of modern Jewish rural settlement in Eretz
Israel - the kibbutz.

Euphemism for the process of choosing victims for the gas chambers in the Nazi camps by separating
them from those considered fit to work (see Mengele, Josef).

(Heb. son (daughter)-of-the-commandment(s)). The phrase originally referred to a person responsible

for performing the divine commandments of Judaism; it now refers to the occasion when a boy or girl
reaches the age of religious maturity and responsibility (thirteen years for a boy; twelve years and a day
for a girl).

Ancient capital of the Kingdom of Israel and capital of the modern State of Israel. Jerusalem holds great
importance to all three major monotheistic faiths as the home of the the Dome of the Rock, the Church
of the Holy Sepulcher, and the remnants of the Jewish Temple. Following the Israeli War of
Independence in 1948, Jerusalem was divided between Israel and Jordan. It was later reunited after the
Israeli victory in the 1967 Six Day War.

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