There are some 400 rural cooperative settlements in Israel with
multi-generational populations. They are united in three
national movements.
The idea of kibbutz, and the kibbutz way of life, arose and was
formed during the "heroic" period of settlement of the land
of Israel and the building of a unique society in it, and the
struggle leading towards the creation of the state of Israel.
From the 1910s through the 1950s, the kibbutzim fulfilled a
central function in this task.
The fundamental values of the kibbutz movement are as follows:
•Cooperation
•Internal democracy
•Responsibility and mutual aid within the community
•Mobilization for national social and security goals
Today the kibbutzim are involved in a complex process of change
and adaptation to the new social, economic and cultural
realities in Israel.
Kibbutzim are adapting their value systems to the Western/Israeli
reality in which emphasis is placed on the
individual, on personal achievement and excellence, and on
economic success. The kibbutzim are crystallizing a new vision
which will express in 21st century terms the idea of human
existence as a social reality, a vision which will be attractive
enough to ensure the continuation of the kibbutz in the future.
In all kibbutzim, the principle of common ownership of the means
of production has been preserved. Kibbutz members work on their
kibbutzim or outside, and the kibbutz profits from companies
it owns in part or in full. There is a high degree of
cooperation within the kibbutzim (with local variations on each kibbutz)
in the allocation of goods and services, while striving
for participatory democracy in the running of local services.
The kibbutzim are also characterized by the taking care of the
basic needs of the individual, including housing, food, health
care, education, and a cultural life above the average in
this country. Responsibility for the provision of these services
is in the hands of the community institutions which carry out
a policy of equal distribution.
A short index of kibbutzim Kibbutz Net
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