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Oct 16, 2003 No, that is not kibbutz, with the accent on the first syllable, which is Yiddish and means to joke around. It is kibbutz, with the accent on the second syllable, in Hebrew, which refers to a type of communal living. I came of age in the sixties when, for me, it was a search for a different way of life, a life that had more value than just acquisition and the pursuit of money. There were communes begun here in the States; I have no idea if any still exist. The kibbutz in Israel still exists. Perhaps now, with the influence of the computer, life has changed, but I imagine that it has evolved more than it has dissipated its basic structures. I left kibbutz life because I was unsuccessful in obtaining a marriage partner. It is very much a family oriented society, and being single was simply too painful. Nevertheless, what I experienced has influenced me to this day, and is often my reference point when I compare different life-styles. Let me begin with the issue of money. Money is ever so much more than currency. A person in the USA all too often is judged by the amount of money he or she makes. Not only is the person judged by that standard, but the amount of money a person makes definitely determines the quality of his or her life. Take money out of the picture and you have quite a different situation. Kibbutz is communal life; all money goes into one pot. There is no private money as such. Each individual does get a yearly allowance that they are free to spend on personal projects. The bulk of the money is spent in ways that are democratically decided by all members of the community. Not unlike the religious orders of monks and nuns, it requires a different character to live in this setting. Yes, it is a communist social organization. If that thought horrifies you, dear reader, then read no further. If, however, you are open- minded enough, and curious enough, please continue. There was a communal dining room, children’s houses, farming industries, manufacturing, and modest housing. Couples had a bedroom and dining room. Newly married couples often had to wait for this luxury. Singles, if young enough, bunked together. Older singles had one room with an outdoor porch and sometimes a private shower. Volunteers had barrack-like quarters and communal showers. Everyone worked and everyone received clothing, housing, food, medical care and free time. People multi-tasked and wore many hats before these ideas became recent buzz words. It would not be unusual for a kitchen worker to be also the director of some social committee in the evenings, or participating in some activity. TV and computers and private phones had not become part of anyone’s life in the 1970’s. People had hobbies. Some were professionals, like artists, who would still be found washing dishes in the dining room when it was their turn, or helping in harvests; some like that would contribute their entire earnings to the communal monies, and live the same as everyone else. Your particular job did not define your status in the community. You were in fact equal to everyone else, no matter what your job, or function. People were also dedicated to doing the work themselves, without the use of employees or outside paid labor. The cultural committees organized not only holiday events, but weekly ones as well. Performers such as Segovia’s student came to entertain. I once sat within two feet of Simon Peres, who was a guest for political discussion. It is very Zen to eliminate nonessentials. Life on Kibbutz was focused on simplicity in terms of food, clothing and housing, which allowed budgeting for cultural activities. Community members also displayed their talents when budgets were not extravagant. It was an active community life, and work life. Rarely would you find someone at home alone. Schedules had to be tight to accomplish everything. Work in the industries was done early in the day. Turns were taken for evening meal preparation and serving. When the main work day was over, everyone would go home for a shower and nap. Then 4:00 tea and quality time with the children. Often families would adapt volunteers into their homes and this time would be spent together till dinner, or even including dinner. After dinner was time again with the children getting them into bed. The children stayed in their own communal housing. Parents were then free to socialize, pursue creative activities or work on some social group. On wedding days, we used to joke that that would be one of the few times the couple would have so much time together; after, they would find themselves so busy they would not really have that private time. Privacy, unlike in America, is not really a major part of your life. Yes, everyone found some private time for some particular pursuit, but it wouldn’t be much. For example, as a young artist who was not really established in the community, I was given time to work on the community newspaper in graphics. After tea, I would pursue this on my own, and the time I was given for graphics production counted toward my work hours. In such a small population, everyone knew everyone else by regular contact at work and in the dining hall. Your life was really an open book. If there was privacy, it was well guarded and cherished. Japanese have kibbutzim, or at least did in the 1970’s. At that time, there was a book called “The Japanese and The Jews”. It first came out in Japan and only in English somewhat later. Individuality and personality were not suppressed, but the development of ego centered activities was not really encouraged in either culture. Interpersonal relationships not based on money, and women freed of twenty-four hour childcare and housework was of a different nature than most common arrangements. This kind of life is not for everyone. Before I forget to mention, there was no crime, no drugs, no women or children abuse, no exploitation, no filth or graffiti, no police. But then again, this life is not for everyone. ------------ Email Risa: risa008@yahoo.com Comment on this column in the forum. Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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