OneEyedDiva
SF VIP
- Location
- New Jersey
In April 2018, my husband and several congregants of the most prominent masjid (mosque) in our city, visited the Bruderhof community. They are non-denominational Christians who have been autonomous for years. Their community is on 500 acres, they grow and raise their own food, have a couple of manufacturing plants, schools and daycare systems. They have similar communities in other parts of the U.S. and the world. The Bruderhofs are very much into peace, forgiveness and modest, simple living. Some travel to different schools teaching anti bullying.
When we arrived and were taken on a tour of their school which features some of the woodwork by it’s students. Afterward we bused to the common dining area and were greeted warmly by several residents. During lunch our Imam spoke as did their minister. My husband and I talked with a nice young couple at our table. I hope they are as happy as they seemed because the Bruderhofs do not believe in divorce.
After lunch we broke up into groups, each with a different host. Our host, Janet took us to her home, we had tea and her husband, the minister came in with some of our Muslim brothers and an interesting conversation ensued. The Bruderhofs have their own modest living quarters within several buildings. They share kitchen space (don’t know if they share bathrooms). I did not see locks on the doors of the apartment buildings. They do not have T.V.s
Later we toured their woodworking factory where we each got a cutting board, then their industrial laundry facility where everyone’s clothes are washed, labeled and put in bins for residents to pick up. No one pays rent nor do they earn a salary. All their needs are taken care of with the agreement that they will work at whatever job they’re skilled at or needed in until they are no longer able or perhaps reach a certain age. Janet told me there’s even a 90 year old resident that goes to work because she enjoys it so much. All clothes are made by community seamstresses. The women dress modestly as Muslim women do…long skirts or dresses, hair covered, though not completely like we do. As peaceful, lovely and impressive as it seems, I need my privacy and independence. It might be good for someone who has no family to look after him/her and/or who has no money. I imagine one would have to accept their faith and definitely abide by their rules. https://www.bruderhof.com/en
When we arrived and were taken on a tour of their school which features some of the woodwork by it’s students. Afterward we bused to the common dining area and were greeted warmly by several residents. During lunch our Imam spoke as did their minister. My husband and I talked with a nice young couple at our table. I hope they are as happy as they seemed because the Bruderhofs do not believe in divorce.
After lunch we broke up into groups, each with a different host. Our host, Janet took us to her home, we had tea and her husband, the minister came in with some of our Muslim brothers and an interesting conversation ensued. The Bruderhofs have their own modest living quarters within several buildings. They share kitchen space (don’t know if they share bathrooms). I did not see locks on the doors of the apartment buildings. They do not have T.V.s
Later we toured their woodworking factory where we each got a cutting board, then their industrial laundry facility where everyone’s clothes are washed, labeled and put in bins for residents to pick up. No one pays rent nor do they earn a salary. All their needs are taken care of with the agreement that they will work at whatever job they’re skilled at or needed in until they are no longer able or perhaps reach a certain age. Janet told me there’s even a 90 year old resident that goes to work because she enjoys it so much. All clothes are made by community seamstresses. The women dress modestly as Muslim women do…long skirts or dresses, hair covered, though not completely like we do. As peaceful, lovely and impressive as it seems, I need my privacy and independence. It might be good for someone who has no family to look after him/her and/or who has no money. I imagine one would have to accept their faith and definitely abide by their rules. https://www.bruderhof.com/en
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