Barbara and I spent a very restful Shabbat at Kibbutz Yahel. We went down to the fields which currently have onions and peppers. The date and pomelo seasons are over.
The fields go right up to the Jordanian border. In fact, the land they are on was originally Jordan. The border had been secretly moved back a number of meters so that the most fertile land was in Israel. This didn't seem to be a problem since there are no Jordanian settlements on the other side of the border. However, in 1993, when it came time to finalize the peace agreement, the Jordanians insisted that they be compensated for the land that was taken. So, just south of the fields of Yahel, the border was changed in an exchange of territory.
At the end of Shabbat we watched the loading of trucks with onions and peppers from the region for delivery to stores in northern Israel.
The kibbutz has changed signficantly since its early days, and even since we were here in 1990-1991. Like all kibbutzim, it was founded on the principle of eqaulity and sharing of expenses and income. All meals were eaten together in the dining hall and there was a great emphasis on the community.
Just as socialism was not able to sustain itself in much of Eastern Europe it has not been able to sustain itself in Israel. Adults now earn different salaries based on the work they do although they do pay a significant "tax" to the kibbutz to cover community costs. Families get a monthly food budget and each time one eats in the dining hall one is charged for the meal. While many commentators have lamented the demise of the kibbutz movement, others see a natural evolution as the kibbutz matures and faces new challenges.
We are looking forward to visiting Petra, in Jordan tomorrow.
Rabbi Bruce & Barbara Kadden
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