Drawing on our discussion about life on an Israeli kibbutz:
1) Do you think you could ever live on a kibbutz? Why or Why not? If yes, what kind of a kibbutz do you see yourself living on, in terms of the various models/spectrum of collective vs. individual that we discussed in class. If no, what specific aspects of kibbutz life deter you and why?
2) If you could design the perfect kibbutz, what would it look like? Include the following: location in Israel, size, religious leanings, main industry(ies), collective vs. individual features. What job on your perfect kibbutz would you want for yourself?
After researching kibbutzim, I am unsure whether I would enjoy living on a kibbutz. The sense of community and equal worth is definitely appealing to me. At the same time, I wonder whether that ideology of equal worth would somehow deter me. While the idea of living equally among an entire community is extremely remarkable, human beings are inherently selfish to some degree. We all want to be noticed and praised for our accomplishments and success. I can't help but be skeptical that someone who works as a doctor will be perfectly content with making the same amount of money as an ice cream scooper (Note: I'm not suggesting ice cream scoopers aren't important- they most certainly are.) However, Shani mentioned in her kibbutz presentation that there are some kibbutzim that have established a reward system that differentiates people with separate responsibilities. I feel as though a kibbutz with that sort of system would be easier to live on. It is a question, though, whether this system defeats the whole purpose and goes against the basic principles of kibbutz life. In conclusion, I'm not quite certain if I would like to live on a kibbutz. I suppose there would be no way of knowing if Kibbutz life suits me unless I experienced it. Perhaps I'll have the opportunity to sort carrots on a kibbutz like Mrs. Finkelstein someday.
ReplyDeleteIf I had the opportunity to design my ideal kibbutz, it'd be close to the sea. It would be located somewhere where you could walk to the water because it's a dream of mine to live close to the beach. I'd probably want this kibbutz to be on the smaller side, creating an even stronger sense of community. My kibbutz wouldn't force religion on anyone and the people wouldn't judge anyone of lesser observance, though it would have a synagogue and maintain Jewish traditions and values. I would like to be in the produce industry, supplying fresh fruits and vegetables, not only to the kibbutz members, but outside of the kibbutz as well. My kibbutz would have the freshest, most delicious produce in all of Israel! (We are dreaming here.) On my kibbutz, I'd probably enjoy working with children somehow. Since my community would be small, I'd have a chance to really get to know each child personally and watch them grow and thrive on my kibbutz.
I think I would like to live on a kibbutz just to get the experience. However, I don't think I would spend more than a year or two living there. It's very difficult to adjust to that kind of lifestyle, and I'm not sure whether I would enjoy it or not. However, I really would like to live on one for a period of time to be able to experience the community and the way it used to be in Israel in the beginning. I'd like to live on one of the kibbutzim where the reward system was not yet put in place. I feel like it creates a better sense of community, even if it draws people away. It also helps to create an environment and atmosphere of selflessness, which is a good thing to have every once in a while. I feel like if I lived on a kibbutz where certain people got certain rewards,money was given out, and the responsibility was not as much as it used to be it wouldn't feel like a "real" kibbutz. I want the full-on experience of living like a farmer or a kibbutz member, even though, as you may know, I hate the outdoors and despise spending hours in the sun. But I think it would be an incredible experience to live that way, not to mention fun.
ReplyDeleteIf I could design a kibbutz, I'd try to make it the most like kibbutzim were in the beginning, although maybe lower the hours of jobs, as there isn't as much of a need for them as there used to be. I'd build it somewhere around the coast, maybe around Tel Aviv (although not near the city), so there is a nice view and an opportunity for sailing and that sort of thing. I'd keep it fairly small, so each family and individual could feel like they're making a difference and not just one in a thousand. It's slightly difficult to keep a fully Orthodox kibbutz, as there wouldn't be as many people willing to become members, and because it is difficult to work in skirts. However, I'd keep it maybe half and half, i.e. having a shul and following Shabbos, but also have separate sections for Orthodox women to work and other sections where it could be coed for those who are not as Orthodox. I think what would be made and produced on the kibbutz is one of the most important things. I think the industries on my kibbutz should involve something that everyone loves and that is enjoyable to do (to a certain extent). I'd really like to include everyone, as I said before, and I think that the children should live with their parents instead of a nanny, but taken to a day care during the day so the parents are able to do their jobs.
If I could have a job on my kibbutz, I might choose something that has to do with farming, because I love to pick fruit, but it is also tiring, so I might want to be in the day care, because I also love working with children.
I'm not particularly sure if I would like to live on a kibbutz. I certainly admire the sense of community that is instilled in the kibbutzim. The idea that everyone works together to accomplish their tasks is truly remarkable. The kibbutzim have also been consistent in reliving the past while incorporating the future which is something that is truly rare nowadays. Due to my obvious lack of understanding of the art of agriculture, I am not quite sure if a kibbutz is really a place where I would want to live. Most people who live on a kibbutz are born into that type of lifestyle. If one is not familiar with this way of living, it is very difficult to adjust. However, the kibbutzim have successfully adapted to the present day society. There are no more communal children homes and everyone receives his/her independent pay. There is more decision making on the individual's part, rather than the kibbutz at large. In conclusion, I might enjoy living on a kibbutz if I were more experienced in farming, which quite frankly, does not seem to be a definite occurrence in my future.
ReplyDeleteIf I could design a kibbutz, it would probably be near the sea. This location would be simply swell for activities for all ages, ranging from the children to adults. I would like my kibbutz to be quite small, therefore ensuring the sense of cohesion and camaraderie. Religiously, I would like to be able to accommodate everyone's needs. Therefore, the kibbutz would have a synagogue and encourage Jewish traditions. However, religion cannot be imposed on anyone, and those who do not wish to attend shul or practice all the traditions will not be forced to. Individual ideas would definitely be taken into consideration. However, if it is a decision affecting the kibbutz at large, the general consensus would prevail. Every family would live together in their own home, as it is important to have a sense of individualism in an otherwise collective atmosphere. The main industry would probably include farming (and a farming instructional program for those who are not so familiar with all the concepts of agriculture, such as myself). The men and women would grow and harvest the produce while the children are cared for in a day care center.
If I could have a job on my kibbutz, I would enjoy tending to the children of all ages in the day care center, as I really love working with children.