What is it like to live on a kibbutz in Israel?

Question

What is life like living on a kibbutz? Is it very socially and community orientated and it what ways? Would you describe it as a very fun experience? How are kibbutzim for Orthodox Jews different from those that are mainy for secular Jews?

Answer 1

Foreigners are treated as cheap labour.

We were always given the very worst jobs at the kibbutz-like herding and capturing chickens into cages during the night and early morning.The locals got the good jobs.

The foreigners were segregated from the Israelis

Answer 2

I have never been there but some of my Jewish friends went there and told me that it is very nice, relax, meeting new people, socially and fun experiences... but they was there only for few months...

So I dont know about living there... but if you like to have fresh air, quiet, and like that then yeh I think it would be great for you... But I dont know much about Kibbutz coz I am from Tonga... (one day after I finish my school, I am going to Israel and converting to Judaism and serve the IDF :)) so, maybe you should stay in kibbutz for few months or half year and see if you like it or not...

Anyway I am planning to stay in a kibbutz soon for few months... gonna be awesome! :)

Goodluck...

Answer 3

I lived on a kibbutz in the early 80's, and loved it. But, unfortunately, life in the kibbutz has changed since then.  

It's still socially and community oriented, but not as much as it used to be.  Also, most kibbutzim today aren't run as a commune, instead, you do your work and get a salary, pay for the different services that used to be free, including meals at the kibbutz dining room and laundry, but everyone today has their own washing machine, so no one uses the kibbutz laundry anyways.  

Do you want to move to a kibbutz, or just volunteer for a while?

The kibbutz children no longer live separated from their parents (I personaly never approved of that, anyways) and many don't return after the army anymore.

On the other hand, a kibbutz is still a small, closed community where people tend to take care of each other and are closer than people living in the city, and always more fun for kids to grow up in!

As for kibbutzim for Orthodox Jews....I have never heard of one, but then I've never asked about it!

One last thing, volunteering on a kibbutz is always a fun experience!

Answer 4

i was thinking to say it...  the upper answer...