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March 12, 2010
A movement reborn – again
Kibbutz Ravid, a leader in education, spurs a kibbutz life revival.
REBECA KUROPATWA
Overlooking the Sea of Galilee, on Mount Ravid, stands Kibbutz Ravid. Aided by the Jewish Agency, Ravid was originally established in 1982. However, after failed attempts by different groups to successfully settle the kibbutz, by 1993, Ravid was left deserted.
The kibbutz movement approached the work and study youth movement and offered them the opportunity to repopulate Ravid. The offer was accepted and, since 1993, Ravid has flourished. It began with a small group of 20-something movement graduates who had just finished their army service.
Gary Levy, a member of Ravid’s secretariat, has been living on the kibbutz for 14 years.
“Ravid is definitely part of the kibbutz movement,” said Levy. “We’ve learned much from past mistakes. Just 100 years ago, kibbutzim were very active in all sectors of Israeli society.”
Historically, kibbutzim sustained themselves through agriculture, factories and industry. Members of kibbutzim live as a community, sharing their social, financial and cultural life. The first kibbutz was established 100 years ago. Today, there are nearly 300 kibbutzim in Israel, many of which were established before the state of Israel and some just after.
Today, 110 educators in their mid-20s and 30s populate Ravid. Their aim is to change the status quo, influence society and renew the dimensions of solidarity, Zionism, volunteering, equality and democracy.
Ravid’s new educational centre houses libraries, classrooms and dormitories. Until now, these were housed in portable homes and complexes. Students at the educational centre come from a diverse mix of backgrounds, with about 5,000 Jewish, Arab and Druze youth, educators and business people coming through each year.
Ravid conducts seminars for some 17,000 students at Israeli high schools, on subjects like democracy and peace, social justice and solidarity, and Zionism and social involvement.
Every year, the kibbutz runs guided educational training sessions for about 3,000 armed forces personnel. Ravid’s Poland trip for Grade 11 and 12 students is the largest of its kind in Israel, with 2,500 students participating each year. It also provides yearly instruction for 1,000 teachers and heads of school through its continuing education program.
Last September, Ravid established a new school in Carmiel, attended by 60 high-risk 16- to 18-year-old students (half of whom are from Ethiopia). There are also Ravid schools for youth in Tiberius, Haifa and Afula, with about 120 students learning about education, socialization and emotional wellness.
“Ravid, as an educational kibbutz, has been copied by 10 different newly established communities across Israel,” said Levy. “Young adults have taken the initiative to start up these new kibbutzim situated in cities and towns (like Akko and Mitzpeh Ramon) to have a more significant impact on mainstream Israeli society.”
These educational initiatives came about through a 1,000-member organization made up of young people who have recently completed their army service.
“It’s called Dror Israel (Freedom Israel), and is named after a historical Zionist movement in Europe,” said Levy. “During the Holocaust, those involved in it were the leaders of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.”
According to Levy, about two-thirds of kibbutzim are now privatized.
“Today’s kibbutz movement doesn’t have the kind of role in Israeli society it used to,” he said. “But we’re working to re-establish that role, being there for Israel’s youngsters. We advocate a life of peace, social and personal responsibility, reducing violence and drugs and living as one country, including people of all backgrounds and socioeconomic status.”
Ravid works in agriculture and orchids as well, but its main focus is education. “Ravid is not only our home, but home to every boy and girl in Israel,” said Levy.
At the recent cornerstone-laying ceremony for the new educational centre’s dormitories (funded by the IDB Foundation and the Cynamon Family Foundation in Toronto and Shelters for Israel in Los Angeles), Natan Sharansky, Jewish Agency for Israel chairman, said, “It’s so exciting to see young adults re-establish the kibbutz as an educational kibbutz. We’ll carry on dreaming and building together.”
To celebrate 100 years of the kibbutz movement, members of Ravid set up an exhibition and organized various social events. More than 200 people participated in the main event, at which Yossi Vardi (known as Israel’s “Mr. Tech”) said, “I thank members of Ravid for taking on the role of continuing these important ideals. We’re all proud of you and the educational role you set for children and youth.”
“Today, many people are looking at us in Ravid with a renewed faith in the original concepts of Zionism,” said Levy. “They’re enjoying seeing that we want to be contributing to Israeli society in this way. It’s exciting. There’s the belief now that it will last, and people living outside the kibbutz are now increasingly investing in our various educational programs.”
For information about Kibbutz Ravid, e-mail Levy at gary_levy@ ravid.org.il.
Rebeca Kuropatwa is a Winnipeg freelance writer.
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