kibbutz

A kibbutz is a collective community in Israel that developed in the early 20th century and is traditionally based on agriculture, communal living, and egalitarian principles. Members typically share property, resources, and decision-making, with housing and meals often provided by the community and surplus income distributed according to family size or need.

Origins and history: The kibbutz movement grew out of socialist Zionist ideas and Jewish immigration to Ottoman and later Mandatory Palestine. Degania Alef, founded in 1910 near the Sea of Galilee, is commonly regarded as the first kibbutz and served as a model for many that followed. Through the 1920s–1940s, dozens of kibbutzim were established across the coastal plain and northern regions, contributing to the early economic and political development of the Jewish settlement.

Structure and daily life: Traditionally, property and means of production were owned collectively, with decisions made through general assemblies and elected committees. Residents typically shared meals in communal dining halls, and children were raised in separate “children’s houses” away from their parents. The economy combined farming with collective workshops and later included dairy, industry, and services.

Changes and current status: From the 1980s onward, many kibbutzim privatized aspects of their economy and introduced differential salaries, allowing more individual choice and family autonomy. Some have diversified into manufacturing, hi-tech ventures, and tourism, while others retain more traditional collective practices. Today, the Kibbutz Movement remains the umbrella organization for kibbutzim, which number in the hundreds and continue to play a notable role in Israeli society and culture.