BEING A KIBBUTZ VOLUNTEER

An outstanding experience!

By Eden Beaulieu
FRANÇAIS

During my numerous trips to the Middle East, I had the chance to work as a volunteer in the most beautiful place in the world: kibbutz Ein Gedi, on the Dead Sea. Being a kibbutz volunteer can be an amazing experience if:

You are less than 35 years old and in good physical condition (work is likely to be harsh!)

You feel like working in a different environment for a while and discover another way of life

You are ready to stay on the kibbutz for a minimum of two months

So...wanna know more about what being a volunteer is all about?

WHAT IS A KIBBUTZ?

The kibbutz is a communal way a life that is unique to Israel. It is the only form of "real" community that stayed faithful to Israel's founders' socialist ideal: everyone lives according to his needs and according to his means. The first kibbutz was founded in 1909 by a group of young jewish pioneers in Deganya, south of the Tiberias lake.

Within the kibbutz framework, everything belongs to the community. Children grow up together and are often separated from their parents at a very young age. Daily work is ensured by a rotational system. Initially, kibbutzim (plural of kibbutz) had an agriculture-based economy. Nowadays, many kibbutzim extract their revenues from industrial production. Let's mention that the israeli population who lives on kibbutzim is rather scarce: only 3 percent of the total population.

Many kibbutzim welcome foreign volunteers, jewish or non jewish (the majority of vol's are not jewish), for a period of two months or more. It is a great way to discover another reality and to open one's eyes to an environment that is, needless to say, quite different than anything one could ever experience. In my life, all I can say is that there was before...and after Ein Gedi. Yes, the experience was that significant and meaningful to me.

To know more about kibbutz Ein Gedi's history, click here

A TYPICAL DAY ON THE KIBBUTZ

6 am: Good morning! Breakfast in the communal dining room.

7 am: The working day has begun. For some, it has begun at 5 am. Yes, you need to be ready to wake up early! Work can be almost anything, from picking dates to working in a hotel to working in the kibbutz kitchen. The working week lasts six days, and work can sometimes be tough. For example, you could be asked to work outside, and the weather in the Dead Sea area is quite hot! (we're talking about 40 C in the summer). You will be asked to work where the community needs you most.

2 pm: Good news! For many volunteers, the working day is already over! It's time to take a break, eat lunch, go to the spa, to the swimming pool or to go hike in Nahal David's natural reserve.

6 pm: All volunteers (around 60 during the summer) gather in the dining room and eat dinner

7 pm: Everyone sits in «The Moon». It's time to party!

Click here for more party pictures!

FAQ section: what you always wanted to know about being a kibbutz volunteer

CONTACTS

If you want to make a request to volunteer in Ein Gedi, you must send a letter about 2 months in advance to the following address, explaining why you would like to volunteer:

Simon Spanier, Volunteer Leader

Kibbutz Ein Gedi

Dead Sea, 86980

Israël

Phone: +972-7-659-4657

E-mail: voluntrs@mishkei.org.il

Should you have any other questions, don't hesitate to contact me at
eden@supernet.ca

Please note: as an ex-volunteer, I CANNOT organize places for people who would eventually like to volunteer. I suggest you to contact the nearest jewish agency, or directly contact Simon Spanier. Thanks!

See you and shalom!

USEFUL LINKS

Kibbutz.net is THE best web site for any kibbutz related information!

Visit Facts About Israel for useful information on Israel, its history, its culture and its economy

David Carson has a site with beautiful pictures from Israel

John Carson's site

Another ex-volunteer's stories, by Gadi Spero

Not Quite Jerusalem is a great site for ex volunteers as well as for future volonteers

Rob van der Loos has a totally great site on his experience in kibbutz Rosh Hanikra with tons of info and
pictures. Something to see!