Ketura has about 165 members, many holders of academic degrees.
Veteran members are mostly of immigrants from Western countries, many from the United States.
The younger members are mostly native Israelis.
The kibbutz has about 100 children and youth. There is a preschool system in all age groups (0-6) and regional schools (primary and secondary) within a 10-minute drive.
The kibbutz has been growing at the rate of 2-3 new families each year; we plan to increase the pace to 4-5
The southern Arava is a difficult place for agriculture; in the history of Ketura there has been much agriculture but few profits. Thus our agricultural sector remains with one large and successful date orchard (and nothing else).
 
Within the boundaries of the kibbutz yard there is a successful educational hospitality tourism project owned by the kibbutz, offices of accounting services provided for business partners in the region, the independent Arava Institute and innovative Algatech 
Many members of the kibbutz work in the regional neighborhood as salaried professionals. Their workplaces include the regional school, a software and IT services company located not far away ( http://ardom.co.il ), an entrepreneurial company in the field of renewable energy , a community psychologist center with a wide service profile ( https://www.eilot.org.il/psychological-station ), professional repertory theater (http://www.elad-theater.co.il ), and more.
 
The kibbutz is a pluralistic community with a positive attitude to the Jewish tradition.
The kibbutz synagogue operates in the style of the Masorti Movement in Israel. Many come to celebrate Jewish holidays and Bar Mitzvahs.
The kibbutz keeps the Sabbath in public spaces, keeps kosher, and during Sukkot the entire dining room moves outside into a huge Sukkah.
Nevertheless, the majority of members of the kibbutz are closer to a secular life than to a religious life.
Ketura is a classical kibbutz.
All members of the kibbutz are committed to work. The fruits of every member's work are mutually shared - from each according to their skills and energies, to each according to their needs.
All members realize their basic economic rights through the kibbutz - housing, health, personal advancement and education, children's education including a generous post-army grant, pension and savings.
Members receive a modest monthly sum for the current "small" expenses based on the size and age of the family unit.
The kibbutz maintains many levels of community life, community events, support networks, and a strives for  mutual enrichment of members.
Each and every member of the kibbutz has found their unique place, as a part of community life, as a part of the economic collective, as a member of a large extended family.
 
The absorption process is complicated, because a new member has exactly the same rights as an old member, and the community's commitment to a member is almost total.
The kibbutz is looking for young families up to age 40.
Fluent Hebrew and residence in Israel are musts.
Ketura is a partner in  the Ministry of Absorption's Bayit Rishon Bmoledet program.
Every year 2-3 immigrant families arrive here straight from the airport.
There are other families on neighboring kibbutzim and an Ulpan in the area.
They are residents and not candidates for membership.
Over time, having learned Hebrew and successfully supported themselves in various jobs on the kibbutz or in there area, some of them have applied for membership and have become members.

The process for prospective members - weekend visits, much paperwork, psychological screening , arrival, an extended "guest" period of about a year, candidacy of a year.
A pot of gold awaits at the end of the rainbow.
 

Shai
[email protected]

Family at Ketura