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Marking Centenary, the Kibbutz Reinvents Itself

(AP) The kibbutz - Israel's communal farms - are marking their 100th anniversary. In search of revival, the kibbutz movement has embraced decidedly capitalist ways, and with the reinvention, membership is perking up, from both new blood and former members. At Kibbutz Hulda, members no longer receive equal allowances but are paid according to the type of work they do, with managers making more than simple workers. The kibbutz supports itself largely through members' salaries from outside jobs, agriculture, and by leasing land and buildings to outsiders. The total kibbutz population today is 127,000, up from 115,300 five years ago - about 1.6% of Israel's population. There are 270 kibbutzim, whose factories and farms produce 9% of Israel's overall industrial output, worth $8 billion, and 40% of its agricultural output, worth more than $1.7 billion. Kibbutz Sasa's Plasan armored vehicle factory has won contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars from the U.S. military. The brainchild of eastern European socialist Zionists, the kibbutz movement was unique because no other voluntary form of collectivism attracted so many devotees. About 15 kibbutzim still follow the full traditional communal model.
2010-11-19 08:40:31
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