The Kibbutz Artzi Federation
The Kibbutz Artzi is a federation comprising 85 kibbutzim
founded by the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement. In 1998 it numbered around
20,000 members and its entire population (including children, candidates,
parents of members etc.) totaled approximately 35,000.
In 1927, the kibbutzim of Hashomer Hatzair, until then
individual and separate settlements, decided to join together for greater
mutual aid and to provide a focus for the world organization. The federation
was named the Kibbutz Artzi. The movement's goals became clearer and a pattern
was set for future development. At its inception the Kibbutz Artzi numbered
four kibbutzim, with 200 members. In the following years Hashomer Hatzair
spread throughout the Jewish world and its impact began to be felt in Jewish
communities everywhere. Adult members of the movement emigrated to Palestine
and formed new kibbutzim. In 1937 the very first kibbutz of Americans was
settled at Ein Hashofet, named in honor of Justice
Louis Brandeis, a warm supporter of Hashomer Hatzair.
In the first years of the new state the Kibbutz Artzi took
an active role in settling new kibbutzim. The kibbutzim played an important
part in reclaiming the barren lands, in absorbing new immigrants and in
securing the borders of the country. However many of the functions that had
been fulfilled by the kibbutz movement in the pre-independence period were now
taken over by the state. The central role that the kibbutz had played
diminished and with it the attraction of the kibbutz to young people.
In the course of time the kibbutzim grew and changed, in
keeping with the changing times and environment. The development was not
always smooth, and the movement often experienced periods of crisis as well as
of prosperity. During the 1960's and 70's the standard of living of the
kibbutzim rose immensely and they no longer needed to struggle to eke out a
bare existence. In this last decade, the Kibbutz Artzi, together with the
entire kibbutz movement, has been going through one of its most difficult
crises. The change of government in the late Seventies; the revision in the
direction of the national economy, which affected all the productive areas of
the economy; a delay in adjusting the internal organization and administration
of the kibbutz to the new conditions, all brought on economic difficulties,
and in its wake an undermining of confidence of many of its members.
Today, on the eve of a new millenium, the Kibbutz Artzi is
attempting to deal with its distinctive path as a cooperative, humanistic
society. It is doing so by carrying out far-reaching changes in the structure
and activities of its economy; in its organization and administration; in
fostering culture and education; and in readjusting the democratic structure
of its society.
At the same time, the Kibbutz Artzi continues to maintain
its educational activities and the absorption of hundreds of youth from
outside the kibbutz, while continuing in its social and political activity. It
also takes part in the national task of absorbing new immigrants. The endeavor
to guarantee the future of the kibbutz is accompanied both by anxiety and with
much hope for the future, as well as with a belief in the ability of the
kibbutzim and the movement to renew themselves, and to continue to develop
humanistic and cooperative forms of life that will fit the needs of the
individual and of society in the future.
Source: The Kibbutz Artzi
Federation |