What Is a Kibbutz?

A kibbutz is a type of settlement which is unique to Israel. A collective community, traditionally agrarian. The first kibbutz was Deganya Aleph, founded in 1910. Today, there are over 270 kibbutzim in Israel. They have diversified greatly since their agricultural beginnings and many are now private. Regardless of their status, the kibbutz offers a unique insight into Israeli society and make for interesting places to visit.

History

The word kibbutz means ‘gathering’; the first were known as ‘kvutzat’, which means group. The first was Kibbutz Degania, just south of the Sea of Galilee. Young Jews who had previously worked draining nearby swampland for the purpose of agriculture and human habitation, building a community for themselves. The land was bought by the Jewish National Fund. They did harsh labor to make the land fertile. These pioneers created a community founded upon agriculture.

Following the establishment of Degania, a number of other kibbutzim were founded. Many center around the Sea of Galilee and in the Jezreel Valley. During the pre-State years and after the Declaration of Independence, many more kibbutzim came about. They appeared across Israel through pioneering groups.

Kibbutz Economy

Kibbutzim were initially almost universally agricultural settlements. Not economically motivated, the residents of the communes shared everything and worked as members of a collective. In the early days, times were tough, everything was shared, and life was hard. The members all had different jobs in the community, mostly in agriculture. However, some were in the kitchen, kindergarten, or working in the children’s house, designated environments where children would spend most of their daily hours. All meals were eaten in the dining hall, and the sense of community was great.

The influence of the kibbutz in the establishment of Israel is unquestionably unique. In the 1960’s, only 4% of Israelis lived in kibbutzim. Today, kibbutzniks make up 15% of the members of Israel’s parliament, the Knesset. Following his retirement, David Ben Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister, moved to Kibbutz Sde Boker. Ben Gurion did this to express his admiration for the pioneers who were working hard to develop the Negev Desert.

Life Today

Since the 1970’s and 80’s, a growing trend has been the privatization of the kibbutzim. This has come alongside economic development in Israel. It established its members as people who contribute to the wider economy. Nowadays, many of Israel’s kibbutzim are private; however, they maintain their communal roots. There are still places with strong community cooperation and activities.

Many strayed from their agricultural-only roots and have largely settled into manufacturing. Companies on Kibbutzim account for about 10% of the country’s agricultural output, and many of these industrial pursuits have led to great successes. Kibbutz Degania’s diamond cutting factory now grosses several million dollars a year. Kibbutz Hatzerim’s company Netafim was the global pioneer in drip irrigation equipment. They have a flagship factory on the kibbutz and many more around the world.

Others have diversified into tourism. Now, kibbutz hotels are popular places to stay.

Visiting a Kibbutz

Anybody can drive through most kibbutzim or stay in their hotels. It’s always good to check the visitation rules in advance and be respectful to this unique way of living once there. Additionally, if you are interested in staying at unique, charming accommodations during your visit, we highly suggest unwinding in one of the fantastic hotels in Kibbutz Mizra.

Here are the kibbutzim we suggest visiting:

Visiting the Kibbutzim Affected by October 7th

It’s important to note that some kibbutzim near the border were tragically impacted by the attacks on October 7th, 2023. Kibbutzim such as Be’eri, Kfar Aza, and Nahal Oz are recovering, and visiting them requires sensitivity and respect. Our Gaza Border & Nova Festival Small Group Tour - Oct 7th Memorial offers the most mindful, thoughtful way to pay tribute while visiting the Nova Site and kibbutzim affected by October 7th, as well as other notable commemoration sites. Along the way, you’ll learn about the kibbutzim’s history, daily life, and the resilience of their members, including how they adapted and rebuilt in the aftermath of October 7th.