Kibbutz Ketura

On a cold and wet Thursday morning, the participants of MSLP woke up at 5.30 for the long journey to Kibbutz Ketura, near Eilat. The trip was quite unmemorable as everyone took the opportunity to sleep for 4 hours. Once we arrived, unfortunately for us, it was a rare day of rain for the kibbutz. As such, the walking tour was cancelled and we instead we did it driving and looking out through fogy windows (Hence no photos, despite the beautiful landscape).

Leah, a founder of the kibbutz 40 years ago, gave a wonderful commentary on the history and economy of the kibbutz. Not only do they grow dates, milk cows and have other agricultural goodies, they also operate a solar energy field worth millions of dollars, grow the only natural extract of astaxanthin in 300km of algae pipes and are home to a department of Ben Gurion University.

A sumptuous lunch was served before a soccer game was played on the Kibbutz soccer field. Following that, an activity where we learned about how the kibbutz was run and also went through some scenarios that may come up on kibbutz. We then met with some local teenagers before sharing a BBQ with them.

 Early the next morning, the weather had cleared sufficiently for a bike ride. We rode though the fields and even went as far as the Jordanian border, which turned out to be a low lying fence. After coming back through the date forest, we tried our hands at mud building. This is where they make outdoor chairs and tables from old tyres and mud, which was not only fun, but very educationally enlightening as well.

After lunch we made challah for Friday night before preparing for our first Shabbat in Israel. We joined the kibbutz for Friday night services and then ate dinner with the entire kibbutz in the dining hall. 

Then we met with a representative of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies whoc explained about what they do in the department. After Kiddush on Shabbat morning, we had a program on discovering Israel which will come in handy throughout the program. Lunch was followed by free time before Havdala. Then we all trooped out into the desert to enjoy a bit of peace and relaxation under the stars and among the mountains bordering the kibbutz.

Finally on Sunday morning it was time to leave. On our way back to Jerusalem, we stopped off at the Ein Gedi hot springs for a sulphur spa and a dip in the Dead Sea. This was certainly enjoyed by all!

Now we are in Jerusalem for another week before heading off to Tel Aviv and Wingate next week!!!