What Is A Kibbutz? - Apr. 19, 2018

Summary

This video script offers an insightful look into the kibbutz, a unique Israeli collective community dating back to 1909. With 275 such communities in Israel, the script focuses on Kibbutz Ramat HaNadiv, illustrating a socialist lifestyle where members share everything, from houses to cars. Residents enjoy free healthcare, education, and meals in a communal dining hall. The kibbutz supports its members financially and invests in their passions, contributing significantly to Israel's economy. The script invites viewers to consider if they would trade their capitalist lifestyle for this communal utopia.

Takeaways

• 🏡 Kibbutzim are unique collective communities in Israel, dating back to 1909, known for their pioneering spirit.
• 👥 Members of a kibbutz share ownership of everything, embodying a socialist lifestyle where everyone earns the same amount regardless of their profession.
• 💰 Kibbutz members do not need to worry about finances for basic needs as the community covers most expenses, including housing, bills, and taxes.
• 🏥 Healthcare, including dental and psychological services, is fully covered by the kibbutz, ensuring comprehensive medical support for its members.
• 👶 Childcare from nursery to preschool is provided for free, and when children turn 17, they receive their own fully covered apartments.
• 🚗 Transportation is communal, with members sharing access to a fleet of cars without having to pay for gas or other related costs.
• 🍽 Meals are communally provided in a dining hall, with a buffet-style selection available for a minimal cost, and leftovers are donated to charity.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Kibbutzim offer a range of amenities such as gyms, pools, sports facilities, and professional services like haircuts and laundry, all free for members.
• 📚 Education, including college, is supported by the kibbutz, removing financial barriers for members seeking higher education.
• 👶👧 Membership for children of members is not automatic and they have until age 30 to decide if they wish to join after exploring life outside the kibbutz.
• 💼 Outside employment, particularly in high-level executive positions, contributes significantly to the kibbutz's income, alongside successful in-house businesses.

Q & A

What is a kibbutz?

A kibbutz is a unique collective community in Israel, where members share ownership of everything and live a socialist lifestyle, with everyone making the same amount of money regardless of their occupation.

How old are kibbutzim and what are they known for?

Kibbutzim have been around since 1909 and are known for pioneering the state of Israel.

How many kibbutzim are there in Israel and what is their purpose?

There are 275 kibbutzim throughout Israel, functioning as collective communities where members share resources and responsibilities.

What is the average monthly income for a member in Kibbutz Ramat HaNadiv?

Members of Kibbutz Ramat HaNadiv make around 5,000 shekels a month.

What does the kibbutz provide for its members in terms of housing and bills?

The kibbutz covers rent for houses, bills, and municipality taxes for its members.

What healthcare benefits does the kibbutz offer?

Healthcare is completely covered by the kibbutz, including services from a dentist and psychologists.

How does the kibbutz support children and education?

The kibbutz provides free nursery and preschool, and members' children receive an allowance until they turn 17, after which they get their own fully covered apartment.

What transportation options are available to kibbutz members?

Members have access to about a hundred cars and do not have to pay for gas.

What is the dining arrangement like in a kibbutz?

There is a kibbutz dining hall that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Fridays, with a buffet selection available for an average of three to six shekels a meal.

What additional services and facilities does the kibbutz provide for its members?

The kibbutz offers various services such as a gym, pool, tennis courts, haircuts, facials, and a daily professional laundry service, all for free to its members.

How can one become a member of a kibbutz?

Children of members become true members at the age of 30 after exploring the outside world, while outsiders can potentially join by marrying a member's child and living on the kibbutz for at least a year, pending approval.

What is the economic significance of kibbutzim in Israel?

Kibbutzim account for 40% of Israel's agricultural output and 9% of the country's industrial output, contributing almost 10 billion dollars to the economy.

How does the kibbutz support its members' entrepreneurial endeavors?

The kibbutz will finance members' business ideas if they can prove profitability, showing a community that invests in its members' passions.