Kibbutz Revivim
The middle part of our program, Kibbutz started a wee more than a week ago now, and it’s quite amazing to say the least. As a part of the whole year, Kibbutz is seen more as a ‘filler’ program: it fits neatly in between the two main parts, Machon and Kaveret. A lot of people tend to see this as a shame, because as part of Habonim Dror, a socialist movement with deep roots in the kibbutz movement we should spend more time here. But that’s irrelevant.
What is relevant, is that we have a good time and build our group (the 23 of us) so that when we get to Kaveret — when we are put into a house, given an allowance each, and told to live together — we can function as a kvutzah (group) really well. Because we’re quite a large group, many thought it would be difficult, but it’s quite the opposite. Revivim has given us a house that fits all of us to live in; so we all live under one roof with a big lounge area (moadon) in the middle, which is really good.
As for activities on Kibbutz, we have to work four days a week, go to ulpan (learn Hebrew) two days a week, and we get Saturday off. But because we’re in the middle of the desert, we only work in the mornings (it’s too hot by 2pm) and not in the afternoons. So far I’ve worked in the laundry (8am-12pm), and also with the guy in charge of our program and our house on kibbutz, Goldie, where the hours are quite similar to that of the laundry. (I was lucky today though, there wasn’t much work around for us, so I’ve pretty much worked for an hour, and babysat Goldie’s dog all morning.) But as soon as work’s over, everyone knows what to do.
To the pool! Revivim has the most amazing pool ever. It’s really big, with lots of grass area to lie down all around, and everyone goes every afternoon after work. It’s a great place to meet young kibbutzniks, like those our age, and just to have a nice swim and relax on the grass. But the problem is, it doesn’t open until 3pm, which is usually two hours after I finish work and lunch, so what to do until then? Usually, not a hell of a lot, that’s for sure.
Other than that, there’s also a bar open twice a week, a little social club open five nights a week under the dining room that’s ridiculously similar to an RSL, thus making it lots of fun. And it’s got free biscuits and drinks so that’s always good to go to. And apart from that, we really don’t do that much, it’s quite boring at times when time moves slowly. But backgammon usually fills those holes.
And that’s pretty much Kibbutz Revivim…