The essence of work on kibbutz is that it is voluntary.

Everyone receives the same personal allowance, regardless of the type of work or number of hours spent there. Thus members are motivated by conscience, responsibility, and sense of obligation, rather than personal economic gain. At the same time, the traditional kibbutz policy that “one gives according to one’s abilities,” is firmly in place. We have a guideline for what work is expected from each member, both in his or her regular day job and in extra shifts that help the community function smoothly.

We believe that members’ work should both advance us financially and be personally gratifying, thus enabling everyone to contribute to the community.

The work structure is divided into production and service branches, as well as work for outside employers. The production branches strive to become more efficient and increase profits, while the service branches strive to maintain a decent level of service within budgetary and labor constraints, while looking for opportunities to sell those services outside the kibbutz as well.

We take pride in our varied and gifted service professionals. For example, in addition to the usual service jobs, we have a kitchen and dining room, veterinary clinic, and an auto mechanic that also serve clients from outside Ketura.

All of our children benefit from warm and nurturing care. The dedicated and talented landscaping crew has added much to Ketura’s beauty, and thus to our quality of life as well as impressing our tourist guests. 

Many members work outside the kibbutz, and bring a salary in to the communal coffers. Some use their professional education to provide services in fields such as accounting or computing to neighboring communities, consulting, veterinary medicine, teaching or administrative roles at the regional school, or serving as social workers, librarians, or therapists. Examples of outside salaries include:

Ketura is also finding additional employment and earning options by developing partnerships, including:

  • Algatechologies, a rapidly growing biotechnology company engaged in the commercial cultivation of microalgae. Founded in 1998, Algatechnologies is a world leader in the production and supply of AstaPure®: a premium natural astaxanthin and one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants.
     
  • Arava Power, Israel’s leading solar developer and a pioneer in mid-size and large-size solar fields. Using photovoltaic technology, Arava Power brings solar power to Israel without emissions, smoke, noise, or use of water. Founded in 2006, Arava Power seeks to supply hundreds of megawatts of clean energy through alliances with kibbutzim, Negev Bedouin, and other Negev landowners.


Arava Power seeks to fulfill Ben-Gurion’s vision of making Israel’s desert a center for solar production. In 1956 Ben-Gurion stated that "the largest and most impressive source of energy in our world and the source of life for every plant and animal, yet a source so little used by mankind today is the sun… solar energy will continue to flow towards us almost indefinitely."

With each new solar field, the need for new coal plants diminishes. With its dedication to a cleaner, greener Israel, Arava Power continues to be a pioneer in the solar industry and create new ways to ensure a future for the solar energy market.

 

Ketura also runs several businesses:

  • Dates. While most of the date plantation is visible along the eastern edge of Ketura, we have additional plantations further south. Dates are harvested and then taken to the Ardom packing facility to be sorted and packed for export.
     
  • Ketura Guesthouse and Educational Seminars has been hosting youth and adult groups for 20 years, offering diverse programs in various languages, lasting between a half-day to a week. Dedicated staff facilitates open-ended, “hands-on” encounters with Jewish texts while utilizing the desert environment. The staff creates new activities and programs to suit the needs of individual clients, imparting to them the community’s core values: Zionism in practice, mutual responsibility, religious pluralism, and respect for the environment. Groups and Bed & Breakfast guests are invited to enjoy a number of activities, including a tour of the kibbutz and our solar field and algae enterprise, bike rentals, and use of the kibbutz swimming pool.
     
  • Ketura Accounting Services provides bookkeeping and accounting services to a wide range of kibbutzim, businesses, non-profits, and other enterprises in and beyond the Southern Arava. The accounting staff of about 20 members, provides bookkeeping, processes invoices, receipts, and payments, provides VAT services, does cost accounting, prepares cash flow statements, deals with financial paperwork and filing, and prepares payroll as well as helping in the setup of computerized systems for specific logistics. The staff enjoys a reputation for responsible, honest, dedicated, and excellent service in the various locations where they work. The regional setup allows the staff to benefit from the accumulated experience and knowledge of all personnel, which benefits the clients. It is an appealing workplace for newcomers to the community.