Adamit Forever

I painted this rendition of Adamit in 1984, to be used on the poster I was designing for the celebration of Kibbutz Adamit’s 13th birthday (I may have the math wrong as to which exact birthday it was, but I know I am close). Last week on Nov 1st 2011, we landed in Tel Aviv to celebrate Adamit’s 40th birthday — with as it turns out, hundreds of friends, from all over Israel and all over the world. How could it possibly be 40 years?

Where to begin. Even typing these first few words, I can hardly keep it together. There were many moments during the last seven days that I felt my heart would simply burst.

Adamit Forever.

The connection to this place and these people is so deep, it actually hurts.

From the moment we (after three hours of driving in rush hour traffic) arrived at Kibbutz Eilon, where we would be staying for five nights, it was a bit like coming out of a time machine. Had time stood still for more than 26 years?

Everyone agreed that it was our voices and body language that stay the same, even if our physical being has changed. There are all these mannerisms' and voices we know so well, all around us, yet the details have to be filled in. In short order the small group at Kibbutz Eilon were reunited and it was as if it was just yesterday we were on Kibbutz Adamit together, building a community.

A deep and sincere feeling of family fills the air. It is so strong that it overwhelms you at the oddest moments. This connection is so intense it catches you off guard.

Our Reunion started in earnest at Bustan Hagalil on Nov 2nd.

We were, we think by the end of the night, about 60 people at Maureen and David’s Moshav near Naharyia. The party got started at 2:30 pm, and until late in the evening, friends continued to arrive from all corners of Israel. There were people we only had time to hug and say a few words to, and others where we managed longer conversations. But I know we were all left feeling there were many others we had barely managed to acknowledge.

photos by Dishi

Tables were filled with salads of all descriptions. The barbeque was sizzling with meats marinated to perfection. Open bottles of wine, juices and beer were set up on another table at the back of the yard. Desserts on yet another table. But — seriously — who had time for food and drink with all of the talking and hugging going on?

And they were not simple hugs. They were heart felt embraces. Long and tight. Sometimes so tight you could not breathe. This went on for almost eight hours straight before all 60 of us, emotionally drained, but higher than kites from the excitement, found our way into our cars and back to wherever we were staying the night. But how do you go to sleep after this experience?

Safely back at Kibbutz Eilon, the eight of us staying there, plugged in the kumkum (tea kettle) and sat around together for another two hours trying to wind down, drinking camomile tea. Then we each retreated to our own rooms and stared at the ceiling for another two hours before most of us finally fell asleep.

When we all managed to pull ourselves out of bed the next morning, and gathered for a communal breakfast of all the usual suspects (cottage cheese, white cheese, vegetables, hummos, techena, prili, sour cream tomatoes, cucumbers etc.), the first thing on all of our minds was “Can we possibly keep this up for five more days?”

Well we did — and it kept getting bigger and better! But if I tell you everything in one post, that would be no fun.

More tomorrow if I can get enough internet to download photos!!!

For more photos of the event try this link