“Intentional Jewish communities” are groups of Jews who not only want to worship and learn together, but who also want to live in close proximity to each other, fostering a sense of shared destiny similar to that found on the kibbutzim of Israel. There is at least one such group in San Diego known as the Urban Kibbutz.
On its website, the Urban Kibbutz lays out its goals: “We are building a sustainable multi-generational community grounded in the Jewish calendar and in Jewish values. Singles, couples, and families of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. We envision a community that feels like home: warm, familiar and heimische (Yiddish for warm, homey and down-to-earth). As a community, we will eat dinner together nightly, celebrate Shabbat and Jewish holidays and take these opportunities to gather together with our friends, families, and neighbors; provide creative Jewish programming and education with opportunities for learning for our Cohousing community and the greater Jewish San Diego community.”
The website goes on to say that as envisioned, the community will have a large common area including an industrial kitchen and eating area that can accommodate 2-3 times the number of all occupants; a large outdoor area for flexible use: gatherings, picnics, etc.; Yoga Studio; Music room with piano and recording studio; Arts and crafts room with kiln and pottery wheel; edible garden; and 30 “family” units, ie. 25-60 adults.”
It goes on to say that each unit “has 1-6 people [with] their own private living space, with their own sleeping, living and cooking areas.” Urban kibbutz members are “expected to pay for their living space plus ‘maintenance’ fees that will cover food, cleaning, and more.
“We believe that a balance between communal time and private time is very important. That is why each home has a full kitchen, living room, clothes washing room and other features that allow individuals or families to enjoy time away from the community.”
The group’s executive director, Aviva Angel, recently was quoted in a news release from Hakhel, described as the Jewish Communities Incubator, about it being awarded the Jerusalem Unity Prize on June 2 in a ceremony held at the official residence of Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin.
“Hakhel has been a big supporter from the very beginning,” said Angel. “Through Hakhel, we have received valuable mentorship. Annually, Hakhel hosts a Jewish intentional communities conference. At the conference, we have met other communities that are doing exactly what we are. Together, we have formed a Hakhel subnetwork that allows us to share ideas and work together to create Jewish intentional communities in our respective cities. In addition, Hakhel has provided us with grants that allow us to host monthly and sometimes bi-weekly events to help our community grow and bring us closer together.”
The news release continued with a quote from Nir Barkat, the former mayor of Jerusalem who is a cofounder of the Jerusalem Unity Prize, and who serves today as a member of the Knesset.
“This year, we chose the winners in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, during which we felt the need to care for each other more, and make sure we all get through this time safelym” he said. “As a result of these sentiments, we selected this year’s winners which inspire us all with their daily work for the unity of our people, in Israel and around the world.”
Founded in 2014, Hakhel, which operates in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, is the first and largest global incubator for Jewish intentional communities, comprising over 130 communities in 30 different countries. Its mission is to spark and support new expressions of Jewish life around the world by nurturing the growth of intentional communities with the help of advisors, seed funding and network building.
The Jerusalem Unity Prize is given to individuals, organizations, and initiatives in Israel and throughout the Jewish world whose actions are instrumental in advancing mutual respect for others among the Jewish people, during crises and in daily life.”
Republished from San Diego Jewish World