Ketura (Kibbutz)

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Kibbutz Ketura is a kibbutz north of Eilat in the Arava Rift Valley. It has approximately 130 members and 150 children (including adult offspring). About one third of the members are native Israelis, with the rest coming from the United States, Canada, England, South Africa, Australia, Spain, France, Latin America, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the former Soviet Union.

1 History
2 Tradition
3 Economy
4 Environmentalism
5 External links

[edit] History

Ketura was founded in November 1973 by a group of young Americans, who had just graduated the Young Judaea year-in-Israel course. Difficulties in the first year frustrated many of the inhabitants of the kibbutz, causing many of the founders to leave rather soon. At the same time, more Young Judeans joined the community, along with a variety of other immigrants as well as Israeli Scout movement graduates, and it grew. This growth resulted in a more stable lifestyle for the inhabitants of Ketura.

[edit] Tradition

Ketura is unique among kibbutzim for its religious pluralism. Although Jewish holidays are commemorated in traditional fashion and Kashrut and Shabbat are observed in the dining room and at social and cultural events, members are free to ignore Jewish customs and religious practices in their homes. Ketura received the Speaker of the Knesset Prize for religious tolerance for its religious progressiveness.

Its sexual equality also sets it apart from many other kibutzim. Women are equally involved in decision-making and men often do traditionally female work, like cooking, etc.

[edit] Economy

Microalge production plant

Agriculutural enterprises of the kibbutz include a date orchard and a dairy herd. The kibbutz has a large cow shed for milk harvests, but it is most famous for its guest house and educational center (Karen Kolot) and its Algae plant. The algae plant (Algatech) processes haematococcus algae through a filtration system in order to extract natural astaxanthin. The extract is then sold around the world as a natural high-quality ingredient for fish food; as a natural pigment for use in cosmetics, and as a nutraceutical.

There is cooperation with other kibbutzim in the area in additional pursuits such as the regional date-packing plant and Ardag, a large fish hatchery near Eilat. Ketura also operates a carpentry shop. Many members do, however, work outside the kibbutz in professional fields such as teaching, accounting, and bookkeeping.

[edit] Environmentalism

Ketura is part of the so-called Green Kibbutz movement. It has pioneered many new ecologically sounder practices, as well as adopting more common environmentally friendly habits. The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies (AIES), is also located here. The institute promotes regional cooperation between Israelis, Palestinians, and residents of other neighboring Arab countries in environmental matters. It also researches and draws attention to some of the ecological problems in the region, as well as researching the desert ecosystem.