This ethnographic study examines life at Kibbutz Hanaton, Israel's first Conservative kibbutz, through participant observation conducted during a summer residency in 1991. The methodology employed direct engagement in kibbutz activities including agricultural work, childcare responsibilities, kitchen duties, and community functions. The research documents daily routines, social structures, and challenges facing this religious kibbutz community of approximately one hundred members. Key findings reveal significant tensions between traditional kibbutz collectivism and individual aspirations, exemplified through detailed case studies of community members struggling with limited opportunities for personal development. The study identifies critical challenges including economic pressures, difficulty attracting new members, minimal connection to the broader Conservative movement despite its designation, and questions regarding long-term viability due to small size and resource constraints. The analysis demonstrates that while Hanaton maintains traditional kibbutz structures and observes Conservative religious practices, it operates essentially as a secular kibbutz with limited daily religious engagement. The research concludes that economic advantages rather than ideological commitment increasingly motivate membership, raising questions about sustainability. Despite these challenges, the study suggests Hanaton represents a viable model for American Jewish engagement with Israeli community life, though its future depends on successfully balancing collectivist principles with individual needs while addressing fundamental demographic and economic pressures.