The International Communal Studies Association (ICSA)

The International Communal Studies Association (ICSA) was established in 1985 during the first international conference held at Yad Tabenkin, the Research and Documentation Center of the Kibbutz Movement in Israel and was attended by scholars, kibbutz and commune members.

It was founded by Dr. Yaacov Oved, Professor Emeritus in the Department of History at Tel-Aviv University and Dr. Donald Pitzer, Professor Emeritus of History and Director Emeritus of The Center for Communal Studies at the University of Southern Indiana. The purpose of the association was to provide a common framework for a scholarly exchange of information regarding communal life; communes, intentional communities, kibbutzim and other collective communities throughout the world.  The ICSA Office has been situated in Yad Tabenkin since the formation of the association. 

The organization is multidisciplinary and strives for international representation amongst its members. Its international structure was led from the very beginning by a Board of Directors composed of scholars from different countries. International conferences are held every few years and are organized in the host country by ICSA members.