(25 Apr 1998) English/Nat
Since the creation of Israel, the Kibbutz has stood out as one of the central symbols of Israeli society.
But now, as the country celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Kibbutzim appear to be losing their allure to a younger generation of Israelis.
In this report, A-P-T-V looks at the declining fortunes of the Kibbutz.
50 years ago, it seemed like the perfect realisation of the communist ideal.
Kibbutz were model communes: communities where everyone gave what they could and where everyone was treated equally.
This one - Kibbutz Hagoshrim on the Israeli-Lebanon border - was started just three days after Israel was declared a state.
It was founded by a group of Turkish pioneers.
One of its founding members describes the Kibbutz's early days.
He says ideology was the only thing that held them together when times were hard.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"At those times we got no television, even no radio, also newspapers - it was one newspaper for four to six families and it came very late in the day because transportation was not so often we have it now."
SUPER CAPTION: Neta Cna'ani, one of the Kibbutz pioneers
The traditional Kibbutz provided its members with their every need - from housing and education to medical services and food - in return for committed, unpaid work.
The common dining hall was the heart of the commune.
Nowadays - half of the Kibbutzim have their members pay for meals.
But in the old days, agriculture was the base of the traditional Kibbutz economy.
Members worked the fields, harvesting much of the food they ate.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The days are gone when each person - whether he was a manager of a factory or of the kibbutz hotel - received the same as the dishwasher in the kitchen. Today, people are seeking better jobs"
SUPER CAPTION: Virginia Lensinger, member of Kibbutz Hagoshrim
When the money ran out, a number of Kibbutz turned to industry.
Hagoshrim continues to churn out beauty products - but it can not ignore the massive changes that are sweeping its community.
At the end of the 1980s, Kibbutz were hit hard by the fall of communism and the ensuing crumbling of its ideology.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Mentally and emotionally I would say that the Kibbutz in the past was much nicer community. We lived simple life, but there was much more happiness, the happiness of doing things together."
SUPER CAPTION: Israel Klol, Chairman of Kibbutz Hagoshrim
The shift in ideology has had a dramatic effect on the numbers of Kibbutzim.
50 years ago, Kibbutzim made up five percent of the Israeli population.
Today, the number has dwindled to two percent.
Older members say that the children of Kibbutz are no longer staying on to run the Kibbutz themselves but, instead, are heading for cities where they can earn more money.
For the older generation of committed Kibbutzim, the loss of the younger generation could prove a disaster.
Many fear that the Kibbutz will simply cease to exist.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"If they will leave the way they leave now there's no future for the Kibbutz."
SUPER CAPTION: Israel Klol, Chairman of Kibbutz Hagoshrim
Some fear it may only be a matter of years before the lure of highly-paid careers bring to an end these last pockets of communal living.
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