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The Virtual Kibbutz: Stories from a Changing Society
Ellis Shuman Manufacturer: iUniverse.com ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: 0595273556 |
Book Description
For over fifty years, the magnificent oak tree stood as a solitary landmark in the middle of the valley, witnessing the cool, wet winters and the hot, humid summers. Young pioneers established a new kibbutz nearby, celebrating their collective way of life in the shade of the tree. Decades later, the kibbutz is not the same. Its members' idealism has changed. Can the community still be considered a kibbutz? In this debut collection of stories, the author introduces you to kibbutz residents challenged with adapting to new realities. Along the way you'll see how kibbutzniks face up to the violence of the Intifada, cope with the Internet, and struggle to have more control over their lives. Meet a clown who uses magic to heal the wounds of terror victims, a veteran dairy worker who has difficulties bidding farewell to an albino cow, a farmer who must decide what to do with the prize money of a lottery, and a reporter who is researching comedian Jerry Seinfeld's kibbutz past. These are the stories of Israel's unique society, of the changes and dilemmas it faces, and of the hopes, challenges and dreams of those who continue to call the kibbutz their home.Customer Reviews:
Insightful and moving stories of the kibbutz today.......2004-06-14
For many years, the kibbutz was the model institution of Israeli society. It represented the world's most successful example of socialist communal living, a near utopia of democracy and egalitarianism. In Israel itself, hard-working kibbutz members were seen as the 'new Jew,' freed of complexes of the Diaspora. They cultivated the land, were physically strong and independent, and engaged in productive labor. Kibbutz sons took on more than their share of command positions in the Israeli Defense Forces, where their dedication and sacrifice were an example for the society as a whole.
In recent years, however, the kibbutz has, like the socialist and in some cases communist ideology on which much of its principles were based, suffered a great decline. As Israel became a more capitalistic and free-market society, kibbutz ideology seemed outdated and less relevant. The kibbutzim themselves became, in many cases, non-profitable and had to be subsidized by huge government grants. Many of the young people, stultified by their small, closed world, left the kibbutz. A new political leadership arose in the country that no longer saw the importance of the kibbutz; settlement priorities were elsewhere. And the kibbutzim themselves evolved, with many of them adopting capitalism and becoming nothing more than bedroom communities.
As Israel changed, the general conception that developed was that the kibbutzim have had their day, and no longer have a real place or role in Israeli society.
Against this background of kibbutz in crisis and decline, a new light is shed in "The Virtual Kibbutz" (iUniverse, April 2003), by Ellis Shuman, a native of Sioux City, Iowa, who immigrated to Israel in 1972. Shuman, who served in the IDF, was a founding member of Kibbutz Yahel, and is now Editor-in-Chief of the online daily newmagazine Israel Insider has written a remarkable group of stories centering on encounters in the kibbutz. These stories not only give us much insight into the internal struggles and conflicts of the kibbutz, but they also provide a strong sense of hope and faith that the kibbutz and its members still have a great deal to contribute to Israeli society.
In one of the best stories of the collection, "The Clown and the Dancer," Shuman relates the story of two seemingly opposite figures - the graceful, happy, long-legged dancer Reli, and the short, awkward clown Itzik. Reli, who works as a hospital nurse, takes special care of a seven-year-old boy who was orphaned in a terrorist bombing. After inducing Itzik to come and try and break the shell of grief and silence that has enveloped the boy, Reli and Itzik draw closer, becoming a couple and planning to marry. But in the wake of the terrible suicide bombing in Netanya, during the Pesach Seder, Itzik is called to duty with his army unit to search out terrorists.
With quiet, emotional precision, Shuman tells the painful and tragic outcome of the story. In doing so, he also gives a restrained and yet moving account of the difficult life of Israelis in a time of constant terror and daily tragedies. Anyone who wishes to sense not only what life was like in the kibbutz during this time, but in Israel in general, will do well to read this story.
In another outstanding story, "The Fence," we learn of a friendship of many years between kibbutznik Giora, who works his citrus orchard, and his Arab neighbor Ibrahim, who tends his nearby olive grove. The story relates how this unusual friendship is tragically disrupted by the events of the past three years. Shuman again tells the story with a masterful restraint which nonetheless shows great human sympathy.
In other stories like the opening "Searching for Seinfeld" and "A Cow's Tale" (about a kibbutnik who develops strong emotional connection with one particular cow in the kibbutz dairy farm), Shuman shows a light and humorous side. In other stories, he describes kibbutzniks trying to adjust to their changed circumstances - a younger generation looking to adapt with the times and an older disheartened by the betrayal of its socialist ideals.
This central theme is explored in the long story "Requiem for a Dream," but is most powerfully developed in one of the best, and shortest stories of the collection. In "The Receding Shoreline," a kibbutz pioneer writes to his brother the story of his disappointment after fifty- three years on the kibbutz. "My dear brother, I cannot begin to describe the humiliation I feel. Once, when you were here with me, I was accepted as a pioneer, a founder of the kibbutz. Now I am considered nothing more than a burden, someone whose opinions, ideology and feelings no longer account for anything. I stood up against the change that was being forced upon my community and me; I swear I fought with all my might. I stood nearly all alone in the battle watching my dreams collapse around me."
But the mood of disappointment in this story is countered in the closing story, "A Balanced Picture," where a journalist tries to balance the gloomy, one-sided picture of kibbutz decline her television boss wishes to present sensationally to her audience. In meeting with a group called Equality Initiative, the journalist learns of an effort to introduce positive changes in the kibbutz without breaking its socialist framework. "Not every change comes at the expense of breaking the partnership of the cooperative community... Realistically speaking, there will be some kibbutzim that will cross the red line and change into communities that will no longer be defined as kibbutzim. In Israel, there are many types of communal settlements - kibbutz and moshav are but two examples. But while some kibbutzim may evolve into a different type of community, others will institute changes without crossing these lines."
This story leaves the reader with the feeling that the kibbutz will continue to play a positive role in the Israeli landscape.
Aside from the general depiction of the situation of the kibbutz now against its historical background, Shuman furnishes us with vital portraits of idealistic people, of struggling human beings who have a strong element of decency and desire to help their fellow human beings.
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The Changing Kibbutz.......2003-06-27
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Ai Yori Aoshi, Vol. 8
Kou Fumizuki Manufacturer: TokyoPop ProductGroup: Book Binding: Comic Similar Items:
ASIN: 1595323716 |
Customer Reviews:
THE HOUSE GETS BIGGER BY ONE.......2005-08-29
More and more cuteness..........2005-03-24
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Aiyori Aoshi Vol. 8 (Ai yori Aoshi) (in Japanese)
Kou Fumizuki Manufacturer: Hakusen Sha ProductGroup: Book Binding: Comic ASIN: 4592133781 |
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Azul, Ai Yori Aoshi vol. 8 (En espanol)
Kou Fumizuki Manufacturer: Public Square Books ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: 1594973768 |
Book Description
This romantic comedy manga series chronicles the obstacles a young couple must overcome on their way to the altar. Just as Kaoru Hanabishi resigns himself to facing his college years alone, he runs into his childhood sweetheart, Aoi Sakuraba. Despite her family's protests, Aoi is determined to become his wife. But in order to renew their arranged engagement, Kaoru must reconcile with the family he ran away from.
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Philip K. Dick is dead, alas
Michael Bishop Manufacturer: Orb Books ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 0312890028 |
Book Description
Customer Reviews:
Being dead is just the start when there's no time.......2007-07-30
If you like PKD, Do Not Read this book.......2006-09-13
More coherent than PKD, less weird.......2006-02-28
FAILED SEANCE.......2005-01-30
Good but still somehow lacking.......2004-03-08
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Secret Ascension: Or Philip K. Dick Is Dead, Alas
Michael Bishop Manufacturer: Tor Books ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: 0812531574 |
Customer Reviews:
It's Michael Bishop Doing PKD.......2002-04-25
Philip Dick and his novels are subjects of discussion among the characters. PKD himself appears in the story ("Horsy Stout"), as he does in his own novels RADIO FREE ALBEMUTH and VALIS; although here he's more in the background.
Most of the novel retains the eerie, bleak, surreal edge that you can find in many PKD novels. I didn't like the ending quite as much as the first 90% of the story; but I can say that many of the PKD novels tend to disintegrate toward the end as well (e.g., DO ANDROIDS DREAM and PALMER ELDRITCH). But the ending to this one is harder to take seriously. And the whole thing's a bit too long (340 pages), considering that most of the PKD novels run to about 200 pages and never exceed 300 (not his science fiction).
On the whole, it's an entertaining psuedo-Dick novel. I haven't read anything else by Michael Bishop, but he certainly has done competent work with this story, I think.
For PKD Fans in Search of Closure.......2000-05-26
Obviously written by a fan of PKD's work and personality, Bishop writes a book that is funny and imaginative, while mimicking, in a form of tribute, the style of PKD.
While the actual delivery of the story lacks the power of PKD's writing, there are many funny moments and tidbits of PKD for fans to enjoy. Bishop employs the multiple narrative technique and the breakdown of commonplace reality that fans of PKD expected with each novel.
The ending is quite satisfying, with a respectful nod to PKD's contribution to our "koinos cosmos." A must-read for any true PKD fan.
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The Secret Ascension: Philip K. Dick Is Dead, Alas
Manufacturer: Tom Doherty Associates ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: B000HKFA4O |
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Philip K. Dick Is Dead Alas
Michael Bishop Manufacturer: Orb Books ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000OTI6E4 |
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The Secret Ascension (Philip K. Dick Is Dead, Alas)
Michael Bishop Manufacturer: St Martins Press ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000OTPAXE |
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The Illuminated Haggadah
Michael Shire Manufacturer: Stewart, Tabori and Chang ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 155670724X |
Customer Reviews:
Medieval Illuminations at there best.......2000-08-21
This volume is a traditional Haggadah in Hebrew and English with illuminations from Medieval texts in the British Library. The result is a splendid, visually appealing book. The illuminations run from vines running down the margins of the page, to elaborate Hebrew letters, folk illustrations, and icon-like depictions of Biblical scenes. Here and there a bit of commentary on the contents of the ritual is included. It is clear that the hope of the authors that the Haggadah be not only a beautiful book on your shelf but also be used as a beautiful book in the celebration of Passover.
One of the most engaging and interesting haggadahs.......1998-04-04
Beautiful and usable hagaddah.......1998-03-07
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The Babad Haggadah A First Printed Edition of an Illuminated Manuscript of 1769
Tovia Preschel Manufacturer: Diskin Orphan Home of Israel ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000GW3IH4 |
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FMR. #10, APRIL 1985: ART OF THE ANCIENT SOUTHWEST; ILLUMINATED HAGGADAH; THE PASSOVER CELEBRANTS BY S.Y. AGNON; SANTA MARIA DEL FIORE; ARTISTIC ASSESSMENT IN SIENA..
Franco Maria: (Editor and Art Director): Ricci Manufacturer: Franco Maria Ricci ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000LY23D2 |
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Haggadah Illuminated
Even Caredio Manufacturer: Pelican Publishing Company ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: 1589804953 |
Book Description
This lovely illuminated book contains the liturgy for the Seder service on Passover, completely in Hebrew.
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THE MOSHE BAMBERGER HAGGADAH First Printed Editin of an Illuminated Manuscript of the 18th Century 1772
Manufacturer: Orphan Hospital Ward of Israel ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000H74AV6 |
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The Pressburg Haggadah A Printed Edition of an Illuminated Manuscript of 1777
Tovia Preschel Manufacturer: Diskin Orphan Home of Israel ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000GW5LHE |
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The Vienna Haggadah First Printed of an Illuminated Manuscript of the 18th Century 1751
Tovia Preschel Manufacturer: Diskin Orphan Home of Israel ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000GWD0X6 |
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The Moss Haggadah: A complete reproduction of the Haggadah written and illuminated by David Moss for Richard and Beatrice Levy, with the commentary of the artist
Manufacturer: Bet Alpha Editions ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: 0962447331 |
Customer Reviews:
One of the Most Beautiful Haggadot Available.......2003-04-15
My favorite representation is his B'khol Dor Vador (In Every Generation) spread in which he brilliantly includes small mirrors interspersed among depictions of our ancestors so that we may actually see ourselves as having been a part of the exodus from Egypt. It is nice to display some beautiful haggadot like Moss's during your seder and for the entire eight-day holiday for your guests to enjoy, and to help them gain more insight into the festival.
When you see the majesty of the Moss Haggadah, you won't have a problem spending a couple hundred dollars on this must-have haggadah.
A Brilliant Interpretation - Visual and Intellectual.......2000-07-06
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Freedom Illuminated The Haggadah A Mirror of Jewish History Its Agony and Triumph
Wollowick Herbert E. Manufacturer: Florida Holocaust Museum ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000UDTDDM |
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An illuminated Haggadah of the fifteenth century
Annabelle Cahn Manufacturer: Yale University ProductGroup: Book Binding: Unknown Binding ASIN: B0007FGQGK |
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