The early kibbutz movement was founded on socialist/utopian principals. The members lived as a commune - cooking together, praying together, working together, and even sharing in the duties of childcare. Most importantly, members of the kibbutz received wages based upon their needs, instead of upon the worked they performed. Currently, there are almost 300 kibbutzim in Israel and are a part of a billion dollar industry with regards to Israel's industry and agriculture.
The Deganya Kibbutz, which is still in operation, although it's now run in accordance with "modern times" (i.e. less socialist and more egalitarian) has an interesting history. In 1948, during Israel's War of Independence, the Syrians attacked the unarmed kibbutz. Even though the Syrians had 26 tanks, they were all knocked out by the Molotov cocktails thrown by the kibbutzniks. At the Deganya's main entrance one of the Syrian tanks stands - a memorial to the courageous Israelis who stood their ground when the modern country of Israel began.
