The Kibbutz Movement, Art and Artists

The Kibbutz as a movement and the artists and art of the kibbutzim in Israel

View All Art By Jewish Israeli Artist Ednah Sarah Schwartz

Since Jewish Israeli artist Ednah has been living and creating art on Kibbutz Kfar Blum in Northern Israel, it only makes sense to give some context about the kibbutz movement since this is such a unique type of unique community and way of life.

The kibbutz movement is one of the most unique and influential social experiments in Israel’s history. A kibbutz (meaning “gathering” or “collective” in Hebrew) is a communal settlement in Israel, traditionally based on agriculture. It began as a pioneering attempt by Jewish immigrants to the Land of Israel to create a new society rooted in socialist values, communal living, and self-reliance.

The kibbutz movement emerged from a convergence of ideas and historical forces, including early Zionist ideology, socialist ideals, and the necessity of developing a resilient community under challenging conditions. Its origins are deeply rooted in the Zionist vision of establishing a Jewish homeland in the historical land of Israel, and the kibbutzim played a major role in both building the state and shaping Israeli society.

Values of the Kibbutz Movement

Kibbutzim were guided by egalitarianism, collectivism, and self-sufficiency. Members shared responsibilities, rotated jobs, and received equal access to resources, with a “from each according to their ability, to each according to their needs” philosophy. Education, cultural enrichment, and community life were highly valued. The kibbutz also promoted gender equality—men and women performed similar work and were expected to contribute equally to the community.

Many kibbutzim abandoned some of their communal aspects over time as Israel’s economy and society became more capitalist, but these founding principles still define the movement.

Evolution and Challenges

In the later 20th century, kibbutzim faced economic difficulties, social shifts, and the changing needs of their members. Many kibbutzim began to “privatize,” allowing members to retain a portion of their earnings and make individual choices about work and lifestyle. Today, while fewer kibbutzim adhere strictly to traditional communal values, the movement remains a significant part of Israeli history and culture.

Early Origins: The Bilu Movement and Pioneering Zionism

The roots of the kibbutz movement can be traced back to the Bilu movement, a pioneering Zionist movement in the 1880s. Named after the biblical verse “House of Jacob, come let us go,” Bilu was composed of young Jewish idealists from Eastern Europe who sought to escape persecution and create a new life in the Land of Israel. Bilu members were among the first settlers to practice agricultural labor as a form of national revival, setting up agricultural settlements and laying the foundation for later communal experiments. While they faced extreme hardship, their ideas of avodah ivrit (Jewish labor) inspired future Zionists who arrived in subsequent waves, or aliyot.

The kibbutzim’s goals aligned with the early Zionist ideals of avodah ivrit (Hebrew labor) and shmirah ivrit (Hebrew defense), emphasizing both labor and protection. The kibbutz movement saw itself as a vanguard in the establishment of a Jewish state, with many members taking prominent roles in military and political spheres.

The Founding of Degania and the Purpose of the Kibbutz

The first kibbutz, Degania, was established in 1910 by young Jewish pioneers near the Sea of Galilee. At the time, the Jewish population was a small minority under Ottoman rule, and kibbutz members believed that creating Jewish agricultural settlements was essential to establishing a strong national presence. The kibbutz represented a radical social and economic experiment: a self-sustaining, collectivist society based on shared resources, equality, and communal responsibility. Pioneers saw the kibbutz as the ideal lifestyle for creating a new Jewish identity rooted in the land, hard work, and collective welfare.

The movement grew during subsequent waves of Jewish immigration in the 1920s and 1930s, as thousands of young people, influenced by Zionist and socialist ideas, flocked to Palestine. They formed new kibbutzim as centers for Jewish agricultural development and as strongholds of Jewish presence in the land.

Kibbutz Education: A Unique Approach to Learning

Kibbutzim placed a strong emphasis on education, aiming to develop well-rounded individuals who shared communal values and were dedicated to the ideals of Zionism and socialism. Kibbutz education was holistic, designed to foster independence, cooperation, and respect for manual labor. Children typically grew up in communal “children’s houses” rather than with their parents, reflecting the belief that education was the collective responsibility of the kibbutz rather than solely the family’s.

Educational programs included farming, practical skills, and creative arts, encouraging children to explore various forms of expression. This emphasis on communal upbringing, combined with creative freedom, helped foster a generation of artists and intellectuals who would contribute to Israeli society in diverse ways.

Role in Statebuilding and Defense

The kibbutzim were instrumental in the statebuilding efforts of Israel. Beyond pioneering agriculture, they also played a crucial role in security and defense. Situated in strategic areas, often close to hostile borders, kibbutzim were crucial for protecting Jewish communities in British Occupied Palestine. Kibbutz members formed defense units, like the Haganah and later the Palmach, which became the foundation of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Kibbutzim also served as safe havens for Holocaust survivors and immigrants who arrived after World War II.

During the 1948 Israeli War of Independence, kibbutzim were on the frontlines, and their members often fought to defend their homes and communities. Their resilience and contributions to Israel’s defense gave them a heroic status in Israeli society, and the kibbutz became a symbol of Israeli perseverance and sacrifice.

Economic Evolution and Industrial Development

While agriculture was the primary industry for early kibbutzim, many diversified over time into industrial sectors such as manufacturing, high-tech, and tourism. Today, many kibbutzim are involved in high-tech agriculture, food processing, electronics, and plastics. Some even operate highly successful businesses, including well-known Israeli brands and products exported globally.

This economic transformation helped many kibbutzim become more financially sustainable, especially as they faced economic challenges in the late 20th century. As part of the movement’s evolution, many kibbutzim also privatized some aspects of their operations, allowing members to retain more control over their individual income and work choices.

The Iconic Status of Kibbutzim in Israeli Society

Kibbutzim are iconic in Israel for several reasons:

• Pioneering Spirit: The kibbutzim embody the pioneering spirit of early Zionist settlers, who turned barren land into productive farmland through hard work and determination.
• Role in State Formation: Kibbutzim contributed to the establishment and defense of the state of Israel, playing a central role in building the national economy and military.
• Symbol of Idealism and Egalitarianism: For many Israelis, the kibbutzim represent an ideal of equality and cooperation, even as the movement has adapted to changing times.
• Center of Cultural and Artistic Development: Kibbutzim have produced some of Israel’s most celebrated artists, writers, and musicians, giving them a reputation as creative incubators.

The Kibbutz Movement Culture and the Arts

Kibbutzim were not just places of agriculture and hard work; they were also vibrant cultural centers where music, literature, and the arts flourished. From their early days, kibbutzim promoted cultural activities, seeing them as a way to enrich communal life and express collective values. Drama clubs, orchestras, poetry readings, and folk dancing were integral parts of kibbutz life, with members often taking part in creative projects after their work shifts.

The communal and egalitarian atmosphere encouraged artistic expression, as everyone shared the same daily routines, challenges, and resources. As a result, the kibbutzim nurtured many artists, musicians, writers, and poets, who found inspiration in the collective spirit and rural landscapes surrounding them.

Why So Many Kibbutz Members Became Artists

The kibbutz lifestyle fostered an environment where art and creativity could flourish. The values of collectivism, equality, and cultural enrichment encouraged self-expression and creativity. Moreover, the kibbutz education system emphasized the arts, allowing young members to explore different forms of expression from an early age. Many kibbutz members channeled their experiences into art, using it as a means to reflect on collective ideals, personal sacrifices, and the challenges of communal life.

The rural landscapes, the ideals of communal living, and the close connection to Israeli history also provided abundant inspiration for artists. As a result, the kibbutz movement has given rise to a unique artistic heritage that combines realism with symbolic reflections on Israeli identity, the land, and the human spirit.

Art and Culture on the Kibbutz

Kibbutzim placed a high value on art, literature, and music as expressions of collective ideals and Zionist identity. Kibbutz life, often austere and communal, produced many artists who channeled their experiences into creative work that reflected kibbutz values and the Israeli experience.

Kibbutz art often combines realism with symbolism, capturing the pioneering spirit, the effects of war, beautiful rural landscapes, and, sometimes, the hardships and sacrifices involved in communal living.

Famous Artists from the Kibbutz Movement

The kibbutz movement produced several prominent Jewish and Israeli artists who gained national and international recognition:

• Avraham Ofek – Known for his paintings, murals, and public art, Ofek’s work often portrays biblical and social themes, reflecting the idealism and the struggles of the kibbutz movement.
• Yohanan Simon – A painter who captured kibbutz life and communal ideals in warm, vibrant scenes. His works often depict the simplicity and camaraderie of collective living, including scenes of people working together or enjoying communal gatherings.
• Menachem Shemi – An artist from Kibbutz Ein Harod who depicted Israeli landscapes and daily life in Israel, drawing on both realism and expressionism to convey the power and beauty of the Israeli landscape.
• Ednah Sarah Schwartz (Kibbutz Kfar Blum) – An Israeli artist whose work reflects the impact of war, the Holocaust, and personal experiences tied to kibbutz life and national history. Her themes explore complex emotional landscapes and historical trauma.

These artists not only reflected the kibbutz ideals in their work but also contributed to Israel’s national art scene, showing how the kibbutz lifestyle influenced Israeli culture at large. Their art captures a wide range of experiences, from the idealistic early years to the more challenging aspects of kibbutz life, providing a window into the collective Israeli identity.