Is Kibbutz the Way Forward ?

 Kibbutz is a type of collective community that originated in Israel in the early 20th century.

The term "kibbutz" comes from the Hebrew word for "gathering" or "collective."

A kibbutz is a communal settlement where people live and work together, sharing resources and responsibilities.

Members of a kibbutz typically live in a central residential area and work together in various industries, such as agriculture, manufacturing, or technology.

In a kibbutz, all members contribute to the community and share the benefits equally.

This includes housing, food, healthcare, education, and other basic needs. Many kibbutzim also have their own schools, kindergartens, and cultural programs.

Kibbutzim were originally founded as part of the Zionist movement, to create a new type of society that would be based on equality, social justice, and self-sufficiency.

Today, there are around 270 kibbutzim in Israel, with a total population of around 140,000 people.

The success of kibbutzim in Israel has been a topic of debate and discussion over the years.

Kibbutzim have experienced both successes and challenges, and the level of success can vary depending on the specific kibbutz and its particular circumstances.

In the early years of the kibbutz movement, many kibbutzim were highly successful in developing and expanding their agricultural and industrial enterprises.

They played a key role in the development of the Israeli economy and helped to create a new society based on collective values.

However, in recent years, many kibbutzim have faced significant challenges, including economic difficulties, demographic changes, and changing social attitudes.

Some kibbutzim have struggled to maintain their communal structures and to attract new members, while others have adapted to changing circumstances and continued to thrive.

Despite the challenges, many kibbutzim remain important centres of social and cultural life in Israel, and they continue to play a role in shaping the country's economy, politics, and society.

While the kibbutz system is unique to Israel, other types of intentional communities around the world share some similarities with kibbutzim.

One example is the ecovillage, which is a type of intentional community that is focused on sustainability and ecological living.

Ecovillages typically have a shared economy, communal decision-making, and a commitment to social and environmental values.

Some ecovillages also have shared housing and communal work arrangements.

Another example is the intentional community movement in North America, which includes various types of shared living arrangements, such as cohousing, communes, and intentional neighbourhoods.

These communities often have a shared economy and decision-making process, and they may have communal facilities and services.

It's worth noting that while there are similarities between these types of intentional communities and kibbutzim, each community is unique and has its own particular values, culture, and way of life.