Born in Leeds in 1974, James Grant-Rosenhead’s way to become a British middle-class lawyer was paved. But after a few visits to Israel, including one year spent on Kibbutz Beit Haemek as part of a Zionist leadership training program, Grant-Rosenhead realized that this was his goal in life. At the same time he felt that the classic model of the pioneering kibbutz, which had been instrumental in the establishment of the country, was no longer relevant.

Shortly after making aliya with his wife, and inspired by the still relatively incipient model of the urban kibbutz, 25-year-old Grant-Rosenhead was joined by other immigrants and native Israelis and formed Kibbutz Mishol – an urban, activist kibbutz in the northern city of Nazareth Illit – which is currently the biggest urban kibbutz in the world. The 127-strong commune lives in a shared eight-story building, where they pursue their utopian vision for a more just Israeli society.

Playlist:
Ani Difranco – Not A Pretty Girl
Anu Nosim Lapidim (We Carry Torches)
Bon Jovi – Wanted Dead Or Alive (live acoustic version)
Hadag Nachash – Shirat Hastiker (The Sticker Song)
Sandi Thom – I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker