Visit to Kibbutz Ein Rand

Over the last few days, we have been learning about the Kibbutz crisis, and the restructuring of Kibbutzim. To help us see this change for ourselves, we visited Kibbutz Ein Rand. For those who don't know, Ein Rand has deviated substantially from the socialist values of the original Kibbutz movement. Like many current Kibbutzim, Ein Rand has privatized, and wages are not needs-based.

We met the kids from Camp Hatikva on their Shnat (year off) program, who are staying at Ein Rand. After a short time we fell into an ideological debate. One of the Habos stated that collective living is the most moral way to to live, because each person can help to ensure the happiness and well-being of others. This prompted one of the Hatikva Shnatties to respond: "Achievement of your happiness is the only moral purpose of your life, and that happiness, not pain or mindless self-indulgence, is the proof of your moral integrity, since it is the proof and the result of your loyalty to the achievement of your values." After some more arguing, and the Shnatties angrily declaring: "Reason is not automatic. Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it. Do not count on them. Leave them alone," we decided to ease the tension and have a game of basketball. The Hatikva Shnatties were very competitive, but were ultimately hindered by their lack of passing.

Field Trip!

The surprise trip was to none other than the frozen yogurt dispensary, Menchies! I don't think this trip would have happened if it were not for the lobbying efforts of a certain Menchies fanatic in the kvutsah (I'll give you a hint: his name rhymes with Larry Steel Man).

Here's a picture of Harry Freeman, Matan Reshef and Michael Eidelson. Harry is wearing his Habonim Dror chultzah (uniform), and Matan and Michael are wearing some Menchies swag they bought.

A great time was had by all, and after we were thoroughly loaded up with fro-yo (frozen yogurt), we headed back to the kibutz.

Muscle Farm

So what exactly are we harvesting on Kibutz Chadar Ochell? For Asher, Jacob Faber, and myself, it's been muscle! This months reaping has certainly been a bumper crop, as can been seen in this picture.

We are having a competition to see who can be the most muscular by the end of Workshop. I'll let you be the judge of who's in the lead so far.

Now I know what you're thinking: "Max is just going to say that there isn't going to be a Kvutsah 3 Bash this year, even though it happens every year." First of all: no need to keep your thoughts to yourself. Post a comment on the blog! Secondly, fortunately for you, I don't expect my fellow Workshoppers to read this blog (why would they, I'm on Workshop with them!), so I can give you the full low-down. Currently we have several themes being considered, each with their own passionate supporters. Morty and Tzeitel are vying for the position of Rosh (boss); hopefully this won't damage their friendship. Despite the conflict, I believe this experience will help us grow as a Kvutsah.

I've been getting increasingly frustrated during peulot, as I'm such a strong post-modernist, and my kvutsah members have such black and white, modernist views. But I suppose it's all part of the Workshop experience, and anyways, who am I to say anyone else's opinion is wrong?

That's all for now. We were told to pack our bags for a surprise trip tomorrow, so stay tuned!  

Oct. 19th

Another tough but rewarding day on the kibbutz. During the heat of the day we had our peulah, which I won today by out-debating Tevye on the issue of one versus two state solutions. So far I'm sporting a 75% success rate, second only to Morty.

As promised, here's a picture from on the kibbutz:

I'm the one on the top right. We're hanging out on the tractor we bought on our communal kupah (bank account), right before our LARPing fight with Habo Denmark. The tractor really came in handy for the battle, and led to our decisive victory. The blonde guy in the middle of the picture is Magnus, a Dane who defected to our team.

Previously, on Workshop 63...

I know I'm starting this blog quite a bit after the start of Workshop, so I'll make it up to you by doing a quick recap.

A week after arriving in Israel, we received our Kvutsot (co-workers). I was put in Kvutsa 3, which I was glad about because I was with a bunch of people I befriended from MBI bus 12. The first week was in Jerusalem, where we toured around. It is an amazing city. The thing everyone noticed first was how polite everyone was, and with the exorbitant allowance we got we could do/buy anything we wanted. Once we received our Kvutsot, we bussed to Kibutz Chadar Ochell, to have peulot (arguments) and do lots of avodah (farming).

Now let me say something about the food: they should call it PORKshop, 'cause of the sheer volume of meat we are getting! (No actual pork, it's a Jewish nation, remember). They call it the land of milk and honey, but its more like the land of steak and turkey! Many Workshoppers are taking advantage of the protein surplus, and starting work-out routines.

The weather is hot and dry. This has been true every day, and will be true for every future day.

Of course, there is plenty more to say, but that's enough for now. I hope to upload some pictures soon.

Introduction

Concerned with the level of journalistic integrity in the other Workshop blogs, and noticing a distinct lack of any blogs from Kvutsah 3, I have decided to start my own blog.

Here's what you can expect from this blog. It will give you the inside scoop on all the kvustah 3 happenings. I'll keep inside jokes to a minimum. I'll translate any Hebrew I use. And I'll give a hard-hitting, critical, descriptive, emotional account of Workshop 63 affairs.

For ease of access, I would recommend making this blog your homepage. You could also just bookmark it, but that will be slower.

Feel free to give your feedback, and ask questions! I would be more than happy to answer any question about Workshop 63, no matter how detailed.

It's time for toranut (cooking), so bye for now!