THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Friday, September 28, 1984 qt: New life on the kibbutz Jeruslaem — Television would not seem to have much to do with traditional kibbutz values. In- deed, modern communication technology might be seen as a threat to such values. But kibbutzniks, even resource- ful, have seized on television and, by turning it to their own advan- tage, are hoping to harness its power to revitalize basic commu- nity values. "The idea is to use TV — cable TV — as a democratizing agent, with the ultimate goal of involv- ing every member in every issue facing his kibbutz," explains Dov Shinar, professor of communica- tions at the Hebrew University and an adviser to the project. An increasing trend away from participation in kibbutz affairs prompted kibbutznik Arnon Tamir, who has spent much of his life working in theater and film, to look to cable technology for an answer. The kibbutz of previous genera- tions was a tight-knit community in which almost all members actively participated in day-to- day affairs, says Tamir. But a number of factors —substantially larger kibbutzim, prosperity and greater contact with the "outside world" through radio and TV — have led to a breakdown in the flow of information about kibbutz affairs and a consequent decline in participation. Much of the blame for this, ac- cording to Tamir, rests with tele- vision, which monopolizes both the individual's attention and the channels of information which are open to him. "TV is quite able to destroy the kibbutz," he says. "The kibbutz depends on com- munal activity, and television makes its members passive." Rather than attempting the impossible task of insulting kib- butz communities from the elec- tronic media and the negative influences they carry, Tamir feels it is imperative that video technology be used in an alterna- tive, positive way. "If you can't learn to use the media," he says, "they will use you in the end." About two years ago, while working in the documentation and information department of the Union of Kibbutz Movements, Tamir helped devise a plan to re- vive active participation in kib- butz life. Ironically, the plan in- volved harnessing the power of television — an internal cable system — to bring about this re- vitalization. The aim is to make each viewer an active participant: "We want to teach people to uge the media for their own needs and desires," says Tamir. "Instead of others deciding what they will watch, they decide for themselves." The attempt to "activate" kib- butz viewers has begun in earnest in about five kibbutzim, including Tamir's home of Hazorea, where a regular bi-weekly magazine show has been on the air for more than a year. Since Hazorea began broadcast- ing its magazine program, Tamir says he frequently hears kibbutz members discussing issues raised by the show. Israel Scene magazine Best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year varnn nalls nav2 GIZELLA BAKER & DAUGHTERS to all. our friends . and relatives Best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year MILTON, IVAJEAN, ALICIA, ANDREW AND LESLIE ERLICH SANDRA & MARVIN ROSEN, JOSEPH & BRADLEY to all our friends and relatives ANITA & ALLAN GILBERT & FAMILY JUDY & HERB SPEISER, MINDY, ELISA & JONATHAN ERVIN & EILEEN GOLD lann inn mu)'? Best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year to all our friends and relatives MARION & SOL STEIN & KENNY NEIL, BARB & BARI WATNICK Best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year We wish our family and friends a very healthy, happy and prosperous New Year STUART' & MARLENE BASS A Very Happy and Healthy New Year to All Our Friends and Family DAVID & LESLIE MOLITZ JEFFREY & JASON 111111111111i0NW0111111111 May the coming year be one filled with health, happiness and prosperity for all our friends and family. May the coming year be filled Best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year with -health and happiness for MARVIN, SUSIE & DANNY TUCHKLAPER OF MIAMI BEACH, FLA. BERNARD & LOIS VICTOR Kal, Ada, Stuart, Amy & Linda JACK & SYLVIA ZIDE DR. & MRS. BERNARD TOFT MIKE, KEN & ALYSSA Best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year THE BANDALENE FAMILY 1111= 111115 TI1V2 Best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year Best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year We wish our family and friends a very healthy, happy and prosperous New Year all our family and friends MR. & MRS. ISADORE AVERBUCH & FAMILY To All Our Relatives and Friends, Our wish for a , year filled with happiness, health and prosperity DORA KANER & FAMILY Wishing all our family and friends a year of health and happiness HELEN & FRED BROWN Martin, Steven & Rodney Wishing all our family and friends a year of health and happiness MARION & DAVID SELIK :- Wishing all our family and friends a year of health and happiness -4714,-*<' May the New Year Bring To All Our Friends Health, and Family Joy, Prosperity and Everything Good in Life ' GARRY & EBY KAPPY . 17B