Shalom friends and family! Class 40 has had an amazing time in Turkey experiencing everything from ancient cisterns to new age high-tech dams. We’ve been humbled by an understanding of history and culture we were previously unfamiliar with and collectively know that we’ll never been the same after the time we’ve spent in Turkey’s ancient cities. Although we don’t doubt it would take a whole lifetime to truly appreciate Turkey, our time there ended today and we departed for a new and exciting adventure in Israel.
Our day started early with a trip to the Istanbul international airport – a place rich in its own culture and diversity. Airport lines were long on one side for people traveling to Mecca. After successfully boarding our plane to Israel (a feat in and of itself when traveling with 26 individuals, our plane was unfortunately delayed by 2 hours due to poor weather in Tel Aviv. It took us the remainder of the day and most of the sunlight hours, but we eventually arrived in our destination, Tel Aviv. Our view of the city was slightly obscured by rain clouds and a departing sun but we saw a very modern city full of buildings that would rival Sacramento.
Upon arrival, our group departed on a bus to a Kibbutz nearby the city of Be'er Sheva, the ancient city that Abraham visited some 4,000 years ago. The concept of Kibbutz started some 100 years ago near the Sea of Galilee. A group of forward thinking individuals pursued an alternative and sustainable living environment that emphasized community and pursuing joint ventures and shared responsibilities. We are residing at the Mashabei-Sade Kibbutz.
Our particular community was settled in 1949 after the Independence War in Israel. When it was created, members of the community were given a home, clothing, and a job within the community childcare and youth education. The population also used a shared dining hall and laundry services. At the end of each month, members received an equal share of the community earnings, despite their status or job title. In addition, this communal living also included ‘Children’s Houses’ were youth slept under the care of a guard as opposed to living under their parent’s roof.
Opposition to the Children’s Houses and the influence of a capitalistic society has changed the Kibbutz system in more recent years. All Kibbutzes did away with the Children’s Houses and opted instead for more traditional family practices. Although the Mashabei-Sade Kibbutz still practices a ‘shared budget’, many of these communes have chosen to do away with this practice and allow for individual salaries to be earned. In a conversation with Ann Dan, Kibbutz member since 1974, she said, “at the kibbutz, you put in as much effort as you’ve got…and receive back as much as you need”. The Kibbutz we staid in has approximately 500 people, however they can be as large as 3,000. We appreciated Ann’s candid comments when we asked about the future of the Kibbutz. As children are educated, they tend not to return causing an older population and threaten the community’s future. We could have been talking about the family farm as Ag deals with the same issues. Again, we are finding common ground halfway across the world. The Kibbutz is a practice of community few of us have experienced and as we learn more about these systems tomorrow, we anticipate a myriad of leadership lessons.
It’s unreal to think that we’ll be visiting Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the coming days. How could we be more fortunate? To all of our loved ones, the group is doing well and missing each and every one of you. It is an exercise in personal strength to be away and we hope you all know how thankful we are for your support.
- Missy Borel, Mike Poindexter, Melissa Varcak
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