Change of Pace
After the end of FFIPP’s two-week whirlwind examination of the effect of Israeli policy on Palestinians, today’s train ride south to Beer Sheva offered a breather. It’s been three weeks since I arrived in Tel Aviv’s airport, and I’m pretty worn out. With another 11 days before I head home, I could use a vacation, a couple of days to just sit and think about things and catch up on some writing and photo organizing and email and mostly doing nothing. It doesn’t look like I’ll be able to manage that, though, if I want to see the people and places I don’t want to miss. But I should be able to get down to one transition a day instead of the three or four during the FFIPP tour.
From Beer Sheva I took a taxi to Kibbutz Hatzerim to visit Ruthie. When I was a teenager in 1964-65, Ruthie and her late husband Gidon changed my life. Gidon was sent by the kibbutz movement to the New York area to work with Jewish youth organizations — to teach about Israel and Jewish culture through weekly discussion groups and summer camp and to motivate us to consider going to Israel. Ruthie went with him and did administrative work in the Brooklyn Young Judaea office. Gidon, a true kibbutz intellectual, offered a humanistic perspective on Zionism that both challenged and attracted me. Ruthie made the regional office a warm place to escape to almost every day after school, offering concern and conversation and tea. For the last year and a half of high school, following the sudden realization that I had become a Zionist, Gidon and Ruthie had more to do with shaping the direction of my life than anyone else.
I brought Gidon up yesterday during the FFIPP meeting with the soldiers in Courage to Refuse, when we talked about Zionism. One mentioned as a problem the fact that Israeli Jews don’t learn Arabic. I recalled that even back in 1960s Gidon had the same complaint. He was appalled by Israel’s treatment of Arabs. He even proposed changing Israel’s national anthem, because HaTikva, a song about the Jews’ yearning for Israel, was a song Israel’s Arab citizens would never be able to embrace. This recognition that something was fundamentally wrong with Israeli policy was inseparable, in Gidon’s view, from his Zionist and Jewish commitment.
I told Ruthie today that I had thought back then that Gidon’s perspective was Zionism. “So did he,” she said.
Gidon died about three years ago, at age 69. I hadn’t known he was sick, having been out of touch with too many people for much too long. I was sorry not to have a chance to see him again.
But I’m glad to be here now sleeping on Ruthie’s couch. She showed me around the kibbutz, which is a gorgeous green oasis in the desert. Unlike the other kibbutzim I have visited and heard about, Hatzerim retains much of its kibbutz philosophy. The dining room was crowded for lunch and dinner, and no cashier kept track of who ate what. There has been little dent in kibbutz collectivism, despite the significantly increased standard of living, with modern homes and appliances.
There are still shelters, in case of attack.
Ruthie says Hatzerim has managed to avoid the same loss of ideals as many other kibbutzim because people still trust each other. I notice, though, that she now locks her door, and she mentions some theft. She also acknowledges she no longer knows all the young people on the 400-member kibbutz and that many of them don’t know her. Still, despite the inevitable lack of perfection, my impression from today’s quick look is mostly one of relief. Kibbutzim as a whole may be losing much of what seems to me their essential nature, but it’s good to see that at least Hatzerim is still a kibbutz.
Having a lot of money probably helps. Decades ago Hatzerim developed, and patented, those drip irrigation hoses essential for watering desert plants without losing too much water to evaporation. Business was booming back in the 1960s and 70s, when the kibbutz debated whether to hire outside workers. They eventually did so, and today the factory is huge. Some 200 kibbutz members work there — almost half the kibbutz workforce, which worries Ruthie — along with about 50 hired workers. And they have other factories producing the same hoses in Israel as well as abroad. The steady income has helped reduce the more general kibbutz trend toward private jobs. I’m sure I could find a problem with this, but right now I’m just glad to see this community in good shape.
Gidon is buried in the kibbutz cemetery, which has a locked gate. Ruthie says local Bedouin , whose numbers have grown substantially, have been going into the cemetery and taking flower pots. They’ve also been grazing their flocks inside. She doesn’t think they are the family that’s been living near the kibbutz for a long time, but newer arrivals. Cultures clash here.
Another change is the view. I remember Hatzerim as an isolated desert outpost. Today you can see the apartment buildings in Beer Sheva getting closer and closer. At this rate, Hatzerim could someday become a Beer Sheva suburb, a frightening thought.
Talking to Ruthie, and even more talking to a couple of old Young Judaea alumni who live here as well as other kibbutz members, I feel simultaneously at home and somewhat alien. I don’t rush to talk about my political views or ask them theirs. Perhaps I just don’t want to break the mood. I didn’t come to challenge people, on either side, but to reconnect and listen and think.
I have mentioned to a few people my hope to visit Gaza. The response is always some combination of disbelief and concern.
And that’s about it for tonight. I have no Internet access right now, so won’t post this for a while. Tomorrow morning I take the bus to Kibbutz Ktura in the southern Negev, the kibbutz I almost ended up living on. I hear that Ktura is like Hatzerim, one of the few kibbutzim retaining its core. I’ll be glad to see that, both because of my personal connections to it and also because on a broader level it’s good to see that alternative community remains possible.
July 7th, 2005 at 10:20 pm
I know exactly who you speak of. My family immigrated to Israel in 1969 and lived on Kibbutz Hatzerim. I was 10 years old at the time. Ruthie and Gidon were very important to us at that time. Gidon tutored me in Tanach. Both were close friends with my parents. I visited Hatzerim in 1980 and hope to return again in a few months. Thank you for your weblog.
August 26th, 2005 at 11:04 pm
It was fun for me to run into your weblog, as I went on Young Judaea’s Year Course in 1983 and lived on Kibbbutz Hatzerim for 3 months. And of course we got to visit our friends on Ketura. Brings back great memories - thank you!
December 4th, 2005 at 6:05 pm
nice to read your info on Hatzerim. My cousins Mira and Zuletz have been living there from the beginning. I visited in ‘75 and again in ‘97. Nice to meet you … Murray
March 26th, 2006 at 10:12 pm
I met Ruthie, if it is the same Ruthie, and I am sure it is. I lived on the kibbutz as a back backing, looking for myself, volunteer in Nov 85 - May 86. Ruthie was in charge, at that time, of meeting with the volunteers to give them their jobs for the next day. My firend and I lived on the kibbutz for 6 months. We must have made an impressionm on Ruthie, as she gave my friend and I a beautiful book about Jerusalem when we left. Just the othdr day I was looking at my photos from Kibbutz Hatzerim and I came across a photo of Ruthie. I would love to hear back from your, OR, Ruthie.
My email address is buczewsk@telus.net
Would love to hear fromyou,
Barb Buczewski
(I have very fond memories of Ruthie)
P.S.
I was Barb Lebedynski back then (since been married)
June 6th, 2006 at 2:09 pm
I would like to know more information about Kibbutz Hatzerim. We are thinking of sending our son there. Please contact me at Aggiethela@hotmail.com
June 28th, 2006 at 6:42 am
Hello,
While trying to locate contact information on Kibbutz Hatzerim on the web, came upon your interesting site. Been there myself as a young volunteer for 7 mnths in 1975/1976 and returned for 2 months in 1977 before leaving Israel. I had a great time there, loved THIS kibbutz.
Would you by any chance have appropriate contact information (phone, mail) to general secretary office as I pplan to visit Israel this august and would LOVE to visit Hatzerim with my family if at all possible.
Thanks.
Yves Denamur,
Paris, France
September 7th, 2006 at 12:03 pm
I grew up on Kibbutz Hatzerim- my dad grew up there and my grandfather and my uncle’s family still live there. It’s a fantastic place and probably one of my favorite places to go when I do go back to Israel. Gidon actually presided over my bat mitzvah and Rutie is a darling woman. The kibbutz is one of the friendliest places I’ve ever been too and I would recommend visiting, working, volunteering, living there to anyone.
September 8th, 2006 at 5:03 pm
In connection with a short section (in a memoir I am writing) I am writing about a 1986 visit to kibbutz hatzerim, I would like to contact someone who can fill me in about the history of having children sleep in a dormitory on the kibbutz - rather than with their parents
Perhaps someone can forward an e mail address from my relatives - the family of Benjamin Bashan
Thanks,
Howard Blue
November 17th, 2006 at 7:31 am
i.was.lucky.to.spend.three.months.as.a.christian.volenteer.at.hatzerim.during.christmas.1987.the.members.made.a.huge.effort.and.organised.a.wondrefull.christmas.party.for.the.non.jewish.volenteers.which.numbered.about.30.great.night.with.members.and.volenteers.dancing.into.the.small.hours.three.months.of.lasting.memories…..garry.green…australia
November 22nd, 2006 at 11:06 pm
Hello,
I spent 3 weeks at Kibbutz Hatzerim the summer of 1980. I met a boy named Shimon Atar. Also Pinhas Dadon and another boy named Meir Fremder. I would very much like to find out how to contact Shimon or Pinky as he was known then. Is there a directory of people who grew up on the kibbutz? Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks,
Margot
December 5th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
Spent all together 2 years out there back and forth from ‘69 till ‘74.
Working in the gardens, electricity or the orchards. I was backpacking with my friend William. when we hit Hatzerim finding individual travellers of all kinds. Some Dutch, some English, Swedes, Americans, Aussies. It was hippietime and I was lucky to be an extra in Jesus Christ Superstar those days. Great times in Hazerim. Looking back now at 55 reading your blog. I wish I was there. Many faces many names, many I loved. Those days volunteers stayed in the Nachal on the edge of the kibbutz with a view on the desert. Hiked many a time, catching scorpios on our way.
A bit afraid to go back for a visit though, things might just be too different.
Leon
February 22nd, 2007 at 9:19 am
Dennis, it was bitter sweet to read your blog. Sweet to hear about Kibbutz Hatzerim but bitter to hear that Gibon has died. Like “Dutch” Leon who wrote to you in December 2006, I was on the kibbutz during all of 1973, including the Yom Kippur War. I knew Ruthie and Gidon well, as well as Ruthie’s mother, Ofra and Eliezar, Nanni and Yigal, Akiva and Miriam, Avi, et al. “Dutch” Leon and William were indeed centurions in Jesus Christ Superstar; I last saw them in Holland in 1974. I am still in touch with Lenny Freedman (Leon, Lenny is still at the same address and phone number as when you last saw him in London in the late 1970’s), Bob Wilcox (aka Canadian Bob); unfortunately, “South African” Leon LeGrange lost his battle with the wine bottle and died a premature death 2 1/2 years ago. I was last at Kibbutz Hatzerim in 1979, having hitchhiked from Oz, and heading on to Europe. I slept on Clive’s sofa then and visited with Ruthie and Gidon and other kibbutzniks. What a wonderful place it was - and, I imagine, still is. Thank you for your blog. It has brought back memories. After 30 years of travelling/living overseas, enjoying the life of a hippy and then an aging hippy, I finally settled in Vermont - for the time being. Anyone wanting to get in touch, especially from 1973, please contact lwil2@hotmail.com. Sincerely, Linda
February 22nd, 2007 at 10:26 am
I think this entry of mine about Hatserim has attracted the most comments of any on my blog. When people have asked specific questions, I try to answer them directly. I just want to say here that receiving this stream of positive memories about Hatserim in general and about Ruthie and Gidon in particular has been great!
I visited Ruthie on Hatserim again this past November and December when I was in Be’er Sheva for six weeks, part of a longer visit I described on this blog. Ruthie still is happy to hear from and about old friends.
May 2nd, 2007 at 2:26 am
Hello, i am not sure if this website is still monitored but i am trying to contact anyone who may of known my mother. her name was Susan (Sue) Atkins. She stayed at the Hatzerim Kibbutz in the early 70s.
She passed away in 1992 of Cancer at the age of 37. I was too young to ask about her stories. I have a name of Denise?? as a contact.
My info is a bit vague but i am hoping it will elad me somewhere.
Thanks
Maegan Ortiz
May 2nd, 2007 at 2:27 am
My e-mail is laencantadapasofino@yahoo.com or outoftheboxevents@yahoo.co.nz
Thanks
July 21st, 2007 at 12:52 pm
I cannot believe that just found this blog!! I stayed at Hatzerim June until August 1973. And then lived there from Feb 1975 until Aug 1980. I went back with my family in May 2005 to intorduce them to my Hatzerim family; Clive, Pepe, Ruthie Elad, the Schteinberg clan and so many others. As I read the blog entries I recognized a number of you especially Leon. I was very jealous that I didn’t have the guts to join the crew that went to be extras in the movie.
I still have many photos from those days stuck in a box somewhere and I’ll have to start going through them again.
Anyone that wants to hook up can reach me at homedad54@bellsouth.net.
Larry Waxman
Augusta, GA
November 21st, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Hello again,
Just wanted to reply quickly to Maegan’s request. I knew Denise very well in 1973 but I don’t remember your mother, Sue. Denise was living with Zevi, the young Israeli guy who was in charge of the volunteers at that time. She left the kibbutz to go back to England in mid-1973 to become an airline hostess, but when the Yom Kippur war broke out she and another Canadian girl, Gwen, came back to help out. We all stayed through the war. Ruthie knew Denise quite well and corresponded with her for some time. Denise did go back to England later in 1973. Sorry, but I don’t know her last name; Ruthie would know. I would suggest you write a letter to the kibbutz, to Ruthie, and ask about Denise.
Larry, I remember you, too. Lenny and I still reminisce about those times! Best wishes to all of you!!! Linda
July 27th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I was on Hatzerim with Young Judea’s Year Course Program from March of 1983-June of 1983. I have very fond memories of working in one of the “babies’ houses” with 6 beautiful infants. Michal was the littlest and her mother was from France. Her father called her “Cookie”. Next was Naomi, who’s mother was Sara Lee and she was from Jacksonville, FLA and had been on Year Course several years before me.
There was Shai, and his mom was from Argentina as well as Yanir’s parents. Yanir had a big sister who looked like Betty Boop! His mom called him “Chunchu”, which I think means pig in Spanish, and I think she was named Betti.
The last 2 babies were Dror and Matan. I remember we always had to page Dror’s mom when he woke up from his nap and Matan’s mom could not believe that I was so comfortable with babies. She herself had never held a baby until she had had one.
I worked in the house with Rosie, who was around my age and was from Bogota, Columbia and Ruthie, who was from West Orange N.J. and told me that after the 1st day, I was only allowed to speak in Hebrew n the house. So, I learned how to say diaper, spit-up and poop all in Hebrew. Ruthie had been on Year Course 20 years before me.
I still have the book they gave me when I left. It was called “Hot Corn!”, along with the picture of all the babies outside in their own little pools. More importantly, I am still working with children.
Yours truly,
Elyse (Berkowitz) Lattner
YC 1982-1983