Sandra Bruder:
CLASS OF 1958
Central High SchoolClass of 1958
St. paul, MN
Columbia UniversityClass of 1963
New york, NY
Jewish Theological Seminary of AmericaClass of 1962
New york, NY
Talmud TorahClass of 1956
St. paul, MN
Jefferson Elementary SchoolClass of 1953
Minneapolis, MN
Sandra's Story
I just wonder if anyone else besides myself from the CHS Class of 1958 resides outside the USA. Perhaps the last 30 odd years of my life might surprise someone. I live on the northern border of Israel just a stone's throw from Lebanon, separated by barbed wire and border police from an unfriendly Arab "neighbor". My settlement is surrounded by barbed wire and we have an army guard at the main entrance, who checks all incoming and outgoing vehicles.
My children grew up in communal childrens' homes. My kibbutz was the last one in the entire kibbutz movement that changed over from the communal education system of rearing children to the family centered system - after the Gulf War.
Many kibbutzim have a differential wage system and privitization of budgets; but Baram still maintains the system of common wage. No one owns his own home, no one owns his own car. There is a fleet of vehicles; and one just signs up online on his computer for a date and time and picks up the keys and a car. He starts the car with a carlog, rides off and returns the car to the car lot. He is billed automatically for the kilometers at a subsidized price.
When I want to visit Tel Aviv to shop, to visit museums or galleries or to attend a concert, play, ballet or opera; I sign up to reserve a room in the kibbutz apartment in a nearby suburb of Ramat Gan. Usually I travel by buses and trains - about a half day's trip. I pick up the keys from the lady in charge, arrive at the apartment, take out linens and towels and make up my bed, unpacking my bag. I find a kitchnette, stocked with basics, prepare a snack and sit down for a cup of coffee. Of course I clean up and keep things in the orderly fashion that is expected in a communal place.
I know from the list who will share the apartment, after checking up beforehand when they plan to arrive; so that I won't be alarmed. For me a female senior citizen, this is preferred over staying on my own at a hotel that has no kitchen or refrigerator.
All of the holidays, we celeb...Expand for more
rate together in our communal dining hall. All the generations sit together along with children and grandchildren, who have come to visit. The program is directed by the Entertainment Committee and aided by many other committes and work branches. Members and children are the performers, who are orchestrated by a co-ordinator.
For the last few years since the seniors are retired, many work several hours daily during the week in service branches of the kibbutz. One is not obligated to work beyond retirement at 65; but most do this in order to keep busy. I decided to limit my work to translating between English and Hebrew for kibbutz branches, students and individual members. My main work is for the local museum of art and Judaica. I translate material for exhibition catalogues, provenance of works of the permanent collections, titles of works and pages of explanation for changing exhibitions. I decided that at this stage of my life I would devote my efforts to my Art and Photography. I take courses, go on senior trips for the purpose of taking photos and visit exhibitions at museums and galleries. As long as I have the energy, I shall travel abroad to centers of Art.
Three years ago I decided to set up my own gallery "Sandra's Alternative" to display my own works of ceramic and soft sculpture and my photographs. I opened it in August 2007. I am now in the process of changing my exhibition. Slowly but surely I am getting it done.
I can eat all my meals at the communal dining room if I want. I usuallly go up for the main meal at noon and also on Friday nights and holidays. I don't pay for my meals, I can choose from a cafeteria type array of hot and cold foods. I can open large refrigerators and pick up milk, eggs, simple cheeses and vegetables. I can take out a loaf of bread from the cabinet and slice as much as I need.
If I want something special, I can go to the kibbutz store and get what I need wholesate or subsidized. I don't even use money on the kibbutz. Everything is done by credit.
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