Kibbutz Geva

During Passover, I had a week long vacation. Me, as well as half the country. Since most people have off, most people travel and it's an expensive time to go anywhere. That said, I didn't really want to spend the entire week at my apartment in Tel Aviv, so I went to visit family up north, in Kibbutz Geva.

The concept of a Kibbutz is something that I've always liked. How it works in reality may be another story, but it always seemed so ideal to me. Recently I read the book "The Haj." It takes place in Palestine in the 1920's and continues through Israel's independence and beyond. I don't actually remember what year the story ends. The main focus of the story is the Palestinians, and, in fact, it's written from the point of view of a Palestinian boy. The thing that struck out the most in my mind, however, is the way they talked about the ridiculous Jews who came to start a Kibbutz in a land of swamps where nothing would ever grow. But the turned the swamps into fertile fields. And then the Palestinians tried to forcefully get rid of the Jews, but despite the numbers against them and the fact that many got sick with Malaria or some other illness, the Jews kept their grounds. And during the war of independence, when it would have been smarter for the Jews to move to cities to protect themselves, those living in Kibbutzim stayed against the odds to protect their land and make sure it remained Israeli. So, I have a lot of respect for the first Kibbutnick's.

While many Kibbutzim have changed and no longer have the same ideals, Kibbutz Geva still remains as close to it's former self. There's a museum that reminds people of what their ancestors went through in the beginning.

My Dad's cousin came to pick me up from
Afula, the nearest city. They came in the Kibbutz car. One that they can sign up for and take when needed. When we arrived at the kibbutz, we went straight to the Hadar Ochel (Food Room). Breakfast and lunch are eaten in a large dining room. There's no cooking, no cleaning dishes. Unless this is where you work. The way that you contribute to the Kibbutz. From there, I was shown to one of her son's room (more like a small apartment). The kids move out to their own rooms during their teens. It seemed strange, although, realistically, they're still in walking distance to their parents.

I spent most of the weekend outdoors. Walking around the Kibbutz, driving through the countryside. While I love Tel Aviv, it was nice to take a break from the city. To hear birds and wind, rather than cars and people yelling. And this time of year was wonderful. Warm weather. nice breeze, blue skies, flower blooming... Like So. Cal, there is a very short green season, just after the rains. Everything was green!

I talked to my dad's cousin a lot about like on the Kibbutz. She admits it's not for everyone, but she loves it. She doesn't have a lot of possessions, but things are taken care for her. She works outside of the Kibbutz, but it goes towards the Kibbutz. In return she gets safety, peace of mind over her kids, food a couple times a day, laundry. Rather than deal with things that most housewives do on a daily basis, she gets to talk walks through the fields, read, paint, take a pottery class. Be free to enjoy the beauty of nature.

I wonder if I would be able to handle it, though. Everyday surrounded by the same people. Everyone in everyone's business. Not being able to get what I want when I want it. Seems like an interesting lifestyle...