I should also remind the reader that the following was written around 1999 and ALOT had happened since...

kibbutz today is a little different than its stigma. Although the collective ownership is still alive, it is mainly ownership over means of production and public properties. With this structure, the member is something like an equal share holder, but is entitled to his own private property, with almost no limitations. Kibbutz members are still not paid for their work, but instead of getting services and goods, we get a 'budget', that we use to purchase those services and goods FROM the kibbutz, or from other external sources. For instance, I can buy food in the kibbutz (a meal in the dining hall, or food ingredients from the local shop), or I could buy it from any supermarket outside the kibbutz. The difference between this budget and your regular paycheck is that it doesn't matter what is your line of work or how much you actally earn... As the famous number goes - you could be president of General Motors, or just a tiny little grain of sand - you'd still get the same budget. You get more money if you have, say 3 kids (that's because you 'need' more...), but there is no relation to your status in your workplace. Even if you work outside the kibbutz and get your own salary (which is more common nowadays), you give that money to the kibbutz and get the regular budget. A lot of the kibbutzim are trying to change this system now, but it is still the way it works in the majority of them. Dividing the property is also discussed, but this issue is much more complicated and involves many difficult legal problems.
For now, kibbutzim are trying to separate their means of production from the kibbutz, so the kibbutz will become the owner of these, say new entities, and they will pay the kibbutz for the work of the kibbutz members and for services. Thus, the new entity is independant in the way it conducts its bussines, contrary to the situation when all revenues from any means of production were handed over to the kibbutz and it would then decide if it wants to invest the money and where.
Kids are living with their parents. they study in school and come back to their parents home. No more children houses... the kibbutz own cars, which we can 'borrow', and we pay by the number of km used. The kibbutz has a plan for young kibbutzniks (usually up to 27 years old), in which the kibbutz is paying part of their college tuition, while they have to cover the rest of the costs by working in the kibbutz. If you are over 27 and still wish to go to university, you have to apply to the kibbutz management that will decide whether you are eligible. Almost everything in the kibbutz costs money now, and although prices are usually very low, the problem is that the budget is also accordingly tight.

Generally speaking, you might say that the kibbutz is now in the process of trying to eliminate almost all the elements that defined it as a kibbutz, and at the same time, preserve its singularity as a collective system in which everyone is responsible for each one, and there can be no poverty and injustice. The main direction is something similar to the Swedish socialism. would it work? I have no idea... we'll just have to wait and see... Part of the kibbuts singularity is the its scenery. Almost all the kibbutzim look like an oasis. They are full of trees, lawns, and gardens; and it's so quiet! no cars, no street hussle... Some of the kibbutzim are real pearls. You can see some images from Yakum here. One of the most frequent responses of a visitor in a kibbutz is: "WHY do you want to change this place? I would pay a bundle to live in a place like this..." I guess it's a matter of opinion. Maybe you would like to come and see for yourself...

I could have supplied some useful links here, but the truth is that it is quite futile this day and age...
Click here if you are interested in what Google has to offer...