Bible Bee Group to Found Kibbutz

Online Bible Bee Study Group Has Major Plans for the Future

         Many Bible Bee study groups are in-depth ventures with close bonds being formed over the Word of God. The BOYS' Group's bond, however, goes a bit deeper. Not many young people like to plan for the future (except maybe what's for lunch), but this group has plans for creating a village where every one of them would have a certain job, fulfilling the entire group's needs.  The planned village's name?  Kibbutz Yeledim.

          A Kibbutz is "a communal farm or settlement in Israel," according to Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary (1).  The dictionary further goes on to state that "The first kibbutz was founded in 1909; currently there are about 270, with a total population exceeding 120,000. Adults live in private quarters, while children are generally housed and cared for as a group. Meals are prepared and eaten communally. Members have regular meetings to discuss business and to take votes on matters requiring decisions. Jobs may be assigned by rotation, by choice, or by skill" (1).  Although the boys may not follow the textbook definition word-for-word (such as being socialist), their plan to live together and help one another is admirable and shows the critical thinking skills the National Bible Bee Competition has instilled in them.

The boys plan to relocate to Israel to found their Kibbutz.

          Having mentioned it above, many of you are probably wondering at the name of this planned kibbutz.  Kibbutz Yeledim means "Kibbutz of the boys."  Simple as it may seem, it demonstrates the close bond of these "critters," as they love to call themselves.  When asked for his thoughts on this plan, Spencer Lovett promptly replied "It's juicy.  I love it!"  (The author is not familiar with these terms, but assumes they are positive due to the way Mr. Lovett said them.)

          The location of the boys' planned kibbutz is reported to be near Ramat Trump in the Golan Heights of northern Israel.  Maps and photographs of Ramat Trump follow.

Sign at Ramat Trump. Photo credit: By RoeeMos - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79737867.

Map showing location of Ramat Trump.

           The boys plan to have a Kibbutz Anthem: a famous Jewish song called "Hineh Ma Tov."  This song is from Psalm 133.

           1 A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the good oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Aaron's beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there, Yahweh commanded the blessing--life forever.

"Hineh Ma Tov," sung by Joshua Aaron.

          All in all, the boys' plan to found a kibbutz in Israel is going full steam ahead. Not a Zoom meeting goes by without a mention of further plans. Hopefully some day, as one of the more politically inclined members voiced, "President Trump will visit our kibbutz while in Israel." Keep checking your maps in the meantime for this village of brotherly love - a new YMCA.

Footnotes:

(1) KIBBUTZ Definition & Meaning, Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kibbutz. Accessed Feb. 27, 2025.