Eann's Adventures: Weekend at the Kibbutz

Two weekends ago, we got the opportunity to spend some time in one of Israel's oldest and most successful kibbutz. A kibbutz is a "collective community traditionally based on agriculture." Not many people get to see it, so we were excited to experience what it was like! It is based on communist values and you must be a member to live in the kibbutz.

The dining hall

Our studio for the weekend.

In traditional kibbutzim (plural for kibbutz):

1. Everyone's salary goes towards the kibbutz. Each member, in return, receives a monthly stipend to spend on groceries, etc. Thus, people who make a lot of money and people who do not work receive the same benefits and lifestyle.

A whole wall full of hummus!

2. Everything is shared (even husbands and wives... kidding), such as cars, farms, cows, etc.

Eat mor chikin. There were lots of cows (400+) and sheep (1000+).

3. You can almost live solely off the kibbutz and never leave the "bubble." There is a small gas station, clinic, grocery store, computer shop, dining hall, school etc. Many people do not leave the kibbutz but more than twice a year.

They don't even need to buy lemons. You can just pick them off the trees.

It was neat to see what it was like living in the kibbutz and tour it. On Friday, we had Shabbat dinner with one of our teachers, Sinai, and her family. There was this long table filled with food and lots of people. Needless to say, we enjoyed it thoroughly and were stuffed.