Japanese Kibbutz Movement by Arye Saar
Arye Saar
The Excuse
A short time ago I received an E-mail from James Zivney from the "Japanese Pen Pal" asking me to tell a bit of my experience with my Japanese students, about 30 years ago. These people came to my (former) Kibbutz Netiv Halamed He, in the Judea hills in Israel, about 40 km from Jerusalem. They came over for half a year for each group, by the organization of the Japanese Kibbutz movement in order to learn about the Israeli kibbutz life, and "by the way" to study Hebrew, so it will be easy for them to converse with the Israeli kibbutz members.
The Love story
When I was told I was chosen to lead these groups' studies (two groups', with a break in between), I was not surprised. I was positively sure of myself. At that time I accumulated a long history of teaching foreign students from all over the world. But it was my first encounter with Japanese people and culture. It was the first time I was going to meet Japanese girls & boys (between the ages of 20 to 30 years old).
The plan was for them to work about 6 hours and study 2 hours and a half each day, six days a week. The first week they came they asked for a permission to go to Jerusalem for the weekend. Some of the kibbutz members were angry with me for letting them go by themselves "in a new and strange place". But I figured that if they could managed to find their way in Tokyo, they will be able not to get lost on the way and in Jerusalem. And for sure, all of them came back in time. In the fields and the kibbutz plantations they were very much appreciated by all the kibbutz members.
All the members took part in "adopting" them as part of the their families, and every evening, after work and studies, they used to visit the members in their homes. The relations between the groups' people and the Kibbutz members were very warm and those members who couldn't have guests were very disappointed. The children all over the kibbutz loved the group very much.
I don't know how they accepted the Israeli kitchen (In a Kibbutz there is a common kitchen and dining room where all the members and visitors eat together) I only hope they didn't suffer too much.
The Experience
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The Thorn (30X40cm) Woodcut Print
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The surprise was mine. As a teacher, I had to find the way to build a bridge between us so we could understand each other. My knowledge of the Japanese language forced me to teach Hebrew by Hebrew. Somehow we managed by the benevolent help from the students themselves. The biggest problem was the differences in pronunciations. But they were very courageous - they accepted a different culture and a strange language as something they had to live with. Most of them were very good students. Some of them, after the completion of our course, went to study in the Hebrew University I believe.
We placed in the class corner a big kettle to boil water for tea, Japanese tea of course, to drink in the break. It was not easy for me to get used to that green stuff (and no sugar!!!), but I must admit I wouldn't mind having some today.
The people of the Japanese Kibbutz Association were around most of the time, helping the students and us to learn each other. We had some visits, by a famous Japanese poet (I am sorry I've forgotten so many names), the Japanese Television and more. Were we a Phenomenon?
Epilogue
During that long time many students came back for a visit. The last to visit was Keiko Tsuboi from Yokohama, who was here last year.
Now that I'm a bit older - It's almost 30 years ago! - With a tiny ache in my heart, I still remember. As a Kibbutz member since 1954 (with a break being a member in a Moshav) I had many roles in the Kibbutz life, but being a "Lover" to about 50 Japanese students for almost a year left it's marks.
Today I'm retired (what does this mean?). We have in the Kibbutz a professional printing shop, which is managed by a friend of mine and myself. I teach Practical Art in the Regional College for retired people from the entire region. And I'm busy making woodcut prints. Did I mention that I'm also a grand and a grand grand father?
Shalom (Peace) and a big hug to all of you
Arye
Kibbutz Degania B
Jordan Valley 15130
Israel
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