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Growing Up Below Sea Level: A Kibbutz Childhood in the Wetlands

Osamu Dazai

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Growing Up Below Sea Level: A Kibbutz Childhood

by James P. S. Devereux

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4904 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	234 pages

I grew up in a kibbutz below sea level, in the wetlands of northern Israel. It was an unusual and unforgettable experience. Here is my story:

Our kibbutz was called Beit Ha'emek. It was founded in 1936 by a group of young pioneers from Poland. They chose the location because of the fertile soil and the abundant water supply. However, the kibbutz was also located below sea level, in a floodplain. This meant that we were always at risk of flooding.

Despite the risks, my childhood was idyllic. I spent my days playing with my friends in the fields and forests. We built treehouses, swam in the river, and rode our bikes through the orange groves. We also helped out on the farm, feeding the animals and picking the crops.

One of the most memorable experiences of my childhood was the annual flood. Every winter, the Jordan River would overflow its banks and flood the surrounding countryside. Our kibbutz would be cut off from the rest of the world, and we would have to wait for the waters to recede. We would spend our days playing in the floodwaters, building dams and boats. It was always a lot of fun, but it was also a little bit scary.

I learned a lot from my childhood in a kibbutz. I learned the importance of community, cooperation, and hard work. I also learned the importance of taking care of the environment. I am grateful for the unique and unforgettable experience of growing up below sea level.

Kibbutz Life

The kibbutz was a unique and special place to grow up. It was a community where everyone worked together for the common good. We all had our own jobs to do, but we also helped out with other tasks as needed. We all ate together in the communal dining hall, and we all slept in the same dormitory.

Growing up in a kibbutz taught me the importance of community and cooperation. I learned that we are all responsible for each other, and that we are stronger when we work together.

Farming and Education

The kibbutz was a working farm. We grew a variety of crops, including oranges, bananas, and vegetables. We also had a dairy farm and a chicken coop. We all helped out on the farm, from planting and harvesting crops to milking the cows and feeding the chickens.

I learned a lot about farming from my childhood on the kibbutz. I learned the importance of hard work and patience. I also learned the importance of taking care of the environment.

The kibbutz also had a strong emphasis on education. We had a school on the kibbutz, where we learned all the subjects that other children in Israel learned. We also had a lot of after-school activities, such as sports, music, and dance.

I am grateful for the education that I received on the kibbutz. It gave me a solid foundation for my future.

Nature and the Environment

The kibbutz was located in a beautiful and natural setting. We were surrounded by forests, fields, and rivers. We spent a lot of our time outdoors, playing and exploring. We also learned about the importance of protecting the environment.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have grown up in such a beautiful and natural setting. It taught me the importance of appreciating the beauty of the natural world.

I am grateful for the unique and unforgettable experience of growing up below sea level in a kibbutz. I learned a lot about community, cooperation, hard work, and the importance of taking care of the environment. I am also grateful for the opportunity to have grown up in such a beautiful and natural setting.

I hope that my story will inspire others to learn more about kibbutz life and the importance of community and cooperation.