WHAT IS A KIBBUTZ?
A kibbutz is an intentional community dedicated to a specific purpose, typically agricultural or religious. Think of a religious kibbutz as a Jewish version of a Christian monastery — an planned colony whose members are devoted to following the tenets of a specific religious sect.
The very first kibbutzim were founded in Israel as utopian agricultural communities, but the kibbutz communal model is slowly spreading to other nations.
THE DREAM OF KIBBUTZ SHILOH
Kehilat Shiloh hopes to form its own similar community, called Kibbutz Shiloh, to give Messianic believers a refuge from the increasing influence of the secular world and the disheartening rise of global anti-Semitic activity.
In this community, like-minded believers can live, work, and worship together in peace and prosperity. Other plans for this kibbutz include establishing community-owned business like small farms and gardens, small-scale manufacturing efforts, shops and retail outlets, financial services, housing and hospitality services, restaurants, and other organizations meant to serve the populace's needs.
A small number of other Messianic ministries and Christian churches have pledged support to Kehilat Shiloh in creating this planned kibbutz, though more support would always be welcomed.
The original plans for Kibbutz Shiloh — first known as "Dai Colony," based on Numbers 35 — were drawn up in 2008 to be located east of Reserve, New Mexico. The modern plans for Kibbutz Shiloh, which were updated in 2016 and again in 2024. Since then, plans have been adapted further, though no set location has been selected yet.
Dai Colony Kibbuts plans, circa 2016