"A good organization structure is based on universal characteristics"
* If you haven't already, I highly recommend reading last week's column first (link to Part 1 and 2).
IV. KIBBUTZ, ONLY FOR ISRAELIS?
The Kibbutz model has only been implemented within the geographical area known today as Israel. This raises the question: Is having Kibbutzim outside Israel impossible because the model uniquely suits Israel?
We can't entirely rule out the possibility that the Kibbutz model can only exist in Israel until we test it in different regions. However, we can examine its development and historical context during its 100+ years of existence.
By asking specific questions, we can illuminate the conditions under which Kibbutzim thrive, helping us understand whether the model is limited to particular environments or can be applied more broadly.
For instance, consider if we determine that the Kibbutz model only flourishes under conditions such as:
· A reformed and efficient governance free of corruption.
· Suitable only for educated Jewish people at the ages of 25 to 35.
· Israeli citizenship.
· Access to advanced agricultural technology and knowledge.
· Abundant financial support.
· An advanced business environment with robust infrastructure.
· Unlimited fertile land and fresh water.
· Agriculture is the primary income source.
· A safe and secure environment.
If these are indeed the necessary conditions for a Kibbutz to succeed, we would conclude that its applicability is limited to a tiny set of circumstances. Conversely, if the evidence suggests that the Kibbutz model can thrive even if those conditions are not fulfilled, we can infer that the model has broad applicability.
While we may not know the full extent of its generality, such findings indicate that the model is not inherently narrow and could succeed in various environments.
With all respect to Israelis, the Kibbutz model can be associated with Jewish people, Zionist pioneers, or Jewish-European revolutionaries, but it can’t be associated with the state of Israel or Israelis for there was no Israel at the time it was developed.
Has the Kibbutz model thrived under various political and cultural conditions?
Although all Kibbutzim were established in what is now the State of Israel, they have existed under three different governments, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first Kibbutzim were established under the Ottoman Empire (1910-1917), including the Kibbutz where my father was born. Next came the British Mandate (1917-1948), which changed language, culture, laws, and governance, leading to many more Kibbutzim. Finally, since 1948, Kibbutzim has existed under the State of Israel, with further language, culture, and law changes.
Despite these shifts in governance, all Kibbutzim thrived during each of these historical periods. Some even argue that the golden age of the Kibbutz movement ended with the establishment of the State of Israel.
Can Only Israelis Establish a Kibbutz?
My father's Kibbutz was established in 1915 under the Ottoman Empire in a region called Damascus Eyalet by founders who were Ottoman subjects; however, all were born in Eastern or Central Europe—none were Israeli citizens. When my father was born in 1932, the British Empire controlled the same area and had renamed it Palestine. Hence, his birth certificate and ID identified him as Palestinian. My mother and her friends, who established the Kibbutz where I was born, were European Holocaust survivors. They arrived in 1943-1945 in a territory under the British Mandate and carried Palestine IDs. Both my parents were once "Palestinians", yet when I was born, there was the State of Israel, and I carried an Israeli ID. In 1983, I volunteered for a year to help establish a Kibbutz. By doing so, I became the first Israeli in my family to take part in establishing a new Kibbutz. This turbulent history demonstrates that the ability to establish a Kibbutz is not limited to Israeli citizens but is open to anyone dedicated to embracing the Kibbutz's communal values and operational model.
Is the Kibbutz Only Suitable for Implementation in a Democratic Regime?
The first Kibbutzim were established under Ottoman and later British colonial rule, demonstrating that the Kibbutz model is not limited to democratic regimes. This historical context shows that the Kibbutz can thrive under various forms of governance, provided dedication is demonstrated to the communal ideals and principles that define the movement.
Is the Kibbutz Only Suitable for Areas with a Friendly Environment?
The Kibbutz model is not limited to areas with ideal conditions such as fertile soil, nearby water sources, a comfortable climate, proximity to infrastructure, population centers, stable governance, and personal security. In fact, as a general rule, part of the Kibbutzim mission was to hold ground in problematic and hostile areas. For example, many were found in deserts, near swamps (with malaria), rocky mountains, sandy soils, and along hostile borders. The physical environment, including soil, water, and climate, has nearly always presented significant challenges.
Resilience and Durability: Establishing Kibbutzim along borders and in highly challenging and dangerous regions has always been a cause of concern. Despite this, Kibbutzim communities have consistently managed these challenges better than others, becoming integral to the Israeli countryside and border landscape.
For example, this resilience became apparent more than ever starting in October 2023, when many Kibbutzim were subjected to extreme terror attacks by Hamas and Hezbollah. These deliberate assaults led to the tragic loss of civilians, including infants, children, women, and the elderly. Imagine the emotional state of a community where 10 to 25 percent of its population were murdered or kidnapped. Such extreme situations reveal organizations' true nature. Notably, with a higher degree of community sharing, collaboration, cooperation, and integration, Kibbutzim demonstrated a significantly higher level of resilience than other Kibbutz communities with lower levels of these attributes and much more than Moshav and City communities.
Are resilience and durability features, including under moderate conditions, relevant to other rural communities in developing economies?
Is the Kibbutz Suitable Only for People of a Certain Culture?
The Kibbutz model is not confined to any specific culture. The pioneers who founded the Kibbutzim came from diverse backgrounds, including Eastern, Central, and Western Europe, North, Central, and South America, as well as Arab countries, North Africa, and South Africa. This cultural diversity underscores the universal appeal and adaptability of the Kibbutz model, demonstrating its ability to bring together people from various cultures, speaking tens of languages, in pursuit of common communal ideals.
Is the Kibbutz Only for Secular or Religious People?
The Kibbutz model accommodates both secular and religious people. In Israel, some Kibbutzim are secular, others religious, and most are somewhere between. Generally, all Kibbutzim advocates religious freedom, promoting an environment where individuals can practice their beliefs freely and coexist within the communal framework.
Is the Kibbutz Suitable Only for Working in the Agricultural Industry?
The Kibbutz model is not limited to the agricultural industry. Due to the nature of Kibbutz life, which includes role division and specialization, different members have specialized in various activities, often related to what they love, such as cooking, education, management, agriculture, industry, tourism, services, high-tech, production factories, etc. While agriculture has been the primary source of income for many years, today, industries, tourism, and services have become the primary sources of income for many Kibbutzim. Additionally, many Kibbutz members now work in companies and businesses outside the Kibbutz that the Kibbutz does not own.
Does a Kibbutz Have to Be a Rural Settlement?
While most Kibbutzim in Israel are rural settlements with a distinct agricultural character, there are also urban Kibbutzim. These urban Kibbutzim exist within city environments, with an urban lifestyle and sources of livelihood that do not include agriculture. This demonstrates that the Kibbutz model can adapt to both rural and urban settings. P.S. In 1987, my brother, Avner, with a small group of friends, established a Kibbutz in the middle of a small Israeli city. The Kibbutz exists and flourishes to this day.
Do Men Dominate the Kibbutz?
One of the core principles of the Kibbutz is equality, and this is rigorously upheld. Everyone is allowed and encouraged to serve in any position, including roles as social or business managers and in any branch or job within the community. In a Kibbutz, there is no need to break a glass ceiling because there isn't one.
Is the Kibbutz Only Suitable for Young People and Singles?
The Kibbutz is Israel’s first and most successful startup to this day. Like many startups, Kibbutzim were often founded by singles, teenagers, and young people in their early twenties. However, much like many startups founded by young entrepreneurs, it does not mean they are only suitable for the young and single.
Founding a Kibbutz, like establishing a startup, requires immense personal sacrifice, long hours, energy, passion, and dedication, traits that young people often excel at. My mother was 20 years old when establishing the Kibbutz where I was born. She continued to work in various roles until she passed away at 92. This demonstrates that Kibbutzim are suitable for people of all ages, not just young singles.
Is the Foundation of Kibbutzim Tied to a Specific Era?
Since the first Kibbutz was founded in 1910, each generation - from the G.I. Generation and the Silent Generation to Baby Boomers, Generations X, Y, and Z, and now Generation Alpha - has witnessed the establishment of new Kibbutzim. This continuity demonstrates that the foundation of Kibbutzim is not limited to any specific period but is a timeless model adaptable to various eras and societal changes.
Does a Kibbutz Need Unique Agricultural Technology and Knowledge to Prosper?
The first Kibbutz and those that followed were established using the same technologies and knowledge available to farmers in the surrounding villages. Furthermore, at the beginning of the 20th century, agricultural technology and knowledge were basic and far less advanced than what exists today. Additionally, the young founders, often city teenagers or in their early twenties, could hardly be considered agricultural experts.
This suggests that a Kibbutz's success is unrelated to the quality or quantity of agricultural technology and knowledge available or accessible by the founders.
Instead, its prosperity is driven by its unique organizational and production structures based on solid shared core values, order, collaboration, integration, and communal ethos.
Conclusion
The principles underlying the Kibbutz model are broad, stable, and not limited to a specific place, time, culture, or people. Therefore, the notion that the Kibbutz is suitable only for Israel is incorrect. Since the establishment of the first Kibbutz, surrounding governance and conditions have changed multiple times, and the Kibbutz itself has also evolved in numerous ways. This continuous evolution demonstrates its adaptability and resilience. Part of its resilience to changing environments stems from its inherent flexibility and ability to adapt.
This flexibility suggests that the Kibbutz model has the potential to succeed in various environments and under different conditions, making it a viable option for communities worldwide seeking sustainable economic and social development. The Kibbutz model’s success is not tied to specific geopolitical or cultural conditions. It has thrived under diverse political regimes and in challenging environments, proving its resilience and durability. The model’s core principles of a business-oriented community led by core values and mission, promoting equality, collaboration, cooperation, and integration, can provide a blueprint for addressing rural poverty and fostering communal growth and prosperity globally.
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Here are ways you can work with me to help your rural communities step forward to shift from poverty into ongoing prosperity:
* Nova Kibbutz and consultancy on rural communities' models.
* Local & National programs related to agro-produce export models - Dream Valley global vertical value and supply chain business model and concept connects (a) input suppliers with farmers in developing economies and (b) those farmers with consumers in premium markets.
* Crop protection: Biofeed, an eco-friendly zero-spray control technology and protocol solution, is most suitable for developing countries.
TAKEAWAY MESSAGES
Ø The Kibbutz model is proven and scalable nationwide in Israel.
Ø Although its distribution is currently limited to present Israeli borders, no evidence suggests that the Kibbutz model is not universal.
Ø The Kibbutz's dual social-business structure meets the needs of impoverished farmers.
Ø Adopting Kibbutz principles can boost economic growth in rural communities globally.
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More on the October 7th genocide in South Israel:
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"Mental and Economic Freedom Are Interconnected."
See you soon,
Nimrod
Dr. Nimrod Israely is the CEO and Founder of Dream Valley and Biofeed companies and the Chairman and Co-founder of the IBMA conference. +972-54-2523425 (WhatsApp), or email nisraely@biofeed.co.il
P.S.
If you missed it, here is a link to last week's blog, “Kibbutz: An Exclusive Local Israeli Model Or A Universal One Destined To Help Millions? (Part 2)"
P.P.S.
OPEN BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES:
1) Exporting fresh fruits from Africa to the EU under the Dream Valley regenerative protocol brand for the 2024 season.
2) Joining the Nova-Kibbutz concept project or establishing a similar initiative in your region.
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P.P.P.S.
Dream Valley is a field-proven disruptive business model based on the successful Israeli Model.
*This article addresses general phenomena. The mention of a country/continent is used for illustration purposes only.
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