The Surprising Rise of Naturism in Israel / Amit Bar

Suicide bombers, dead, wounded, grief and despair: The last few years Israel regularly made the news each time terrorist activities occourred. Nevertheless, people there do not let themselves panic due to the political situation, but try to go on with their lives. The search after alternative lifestyles blooms in Israel as much as any other place. One of the surprising facts is the rise of organized Naturism.

Informal Naturism began in Israel 30 years ago along deserted Sinai beaches. We walked naked among the Bedouins and the Palm trees at Neviot, and we were not the only ones, either: The stretches of untouched nature, where the deep-blue sea kisses the burning red mountains, brought exaltation to many. This was Paradise for young people who looked for refuge from daily stress, until Israel returned the Sinai peninsula upon signing the 1982 peace treaty with Egypt.

Organization

Later Naturism began to appear at other beaches, mainly along the Red Sea shoreline around Eilat. This went on for years, no one daring to make Naturism formal. Fear of intensive opposition from religious circles stopped short any initiative in this direction.

In 1998 Pinchas Barak changed that. The former Dutch was then 57 years old. He built a sauna in the back of his house at Giv’at Hameyasdim and established the Israeli Naturist Society. His ambition put Naturism on the map. He then made an agreement with the near by Kibbutz Kalia who owns a beach at the Dead Sea. It allowed him and his friends to practice there naked recreation legally. Once the existence of this small group got published in the media, the immediate reaction of the public was excited. In no time many found their way to the beach at the Dead Sea.

Opposition

In order to prevent penetration of the new movement by undesired elements Barak set up regulations. They strictly ruled out tattoos and piercing as well as alcohol drinking and hugging others during gatherings. These rules stirred up great opposition against Barak’s leadership of the society, and he was replaced by elections in the following year’s annual meeting. The lady elected in his stead chose a more lenient line and she set up new regulations, which were supported by the majority of the members.

Pinchas Barak could not accept that and he left and established a new association. In this new society his own regulations ruled unchallenged, but after one year it was abolished and all Israeli Naturists returned to share a joint organization.

In the meantime a malignant tumor was detected in Pinchas Barak's head, and on January 21^st this year he passed away. The whole society - including his opposition - mourned him, and praised his integrity and his loyalty to his principles.

Activities

Today the Israeli Naturist society includes about 90 registered members. Some 500 more naturists are called "friends" and participate in the activities regularly without paying membership fees. Some of them prefer not to register as full members because they are afraid of the reactions of their acquaintances.

Springtime and fall venues are held at the Kalia Beach by the Dead Sea, where the climate is warmer than in the rest of the country. In the summertime the temperatures by the Dead Sea becomes unbearable, and the venues take place at different beaches by the Mediterranean and the Sea of Galilee. During winter the Israeli Naturists meet in roofed and heated swimming pools. Some swimming pool owners have agreements with the society and are willing to let it hire their locations for gatherings. The members wish to acquire someday a site of their own, but that day is yet to come.

To the great surprise of Israeli Naturists up to date there have been no attempt by religious circles to stop their venues. Members hope that things will stay that way in the future, so that the association may grow with no restraint. This I wish for them with all my heart.