Kibbutzniks in the Diaspora

Naama Sabar is Associate Professor of Education at Tel Aviv University and the author of several books, including Kibbutz L.A. and Qualitative Research Methods in Teaching and Learning.

"This book is a major contribution to understanding the kibbutz education system and the evolution and development of Israel and its society." — Jewish Book World"This is a major contribution to our understanding of kibbutz education and its impact on the 'second generation' of the kibbutz. Because the book considers socialization, parenting, peer group interaction, and social structure, it examines education in both the broad sense of socialization and the narrow sense of the kibbutz educational system of the last generation." — James Armstrong, coeditor of Distant Mirrors: America as a Foreign Culture"Sabar provides a thoughtful, sympathetic, and in-depth analysis of kibbutzniks as they reflect on their lives and why they have chosen to come to Los Angeles. The life stories give a human face to the experience of migration which contrasts greatly with popular stereotypes. In addition, because the book is written from the perspective of the country of origin, we understand an entirely different dimension of the migrant experience than we normally hear about; we become aware of the sense of ambivalence and loss associated with leaving one's home." — Steven J. Gold, author of From the Worker's State to the Golden State: Jews from the Former Soviet Union in California

• Preface Introduction Part One: Getting Started Part Two: About Themselves The ContentedThe AmerIsraelisThe SearchersThe Discontented Part Three: Permanent Temporariness TogethernessHebrew LaborA Failing Mark in EnglishSongs of the HomelandReligion and TraditionWomen and Children Part Four: Life Cycles The Parental Home and the KibbutzThe Kibbutz Educational SystemIsrael and the Jewish Heritage Part Five: Push and Pull Factors Epilogue Appendix A: The Research Methodology Appendix B: Recent Changes in the Kibbutz Endnotes Works Cited EnglishHebrew Index