On October 29, 1910 (Tishrei 25 1910) ten men and two women went to Um Juni and established an independent settlement with neither exploiters nor exploited - a commune. Degania was a landmark in the history of the kibbutz settlement. It was there that the principles of independent work and collective life materialized. After Degania, hundreds of kibbutzim were established, some of whose members received their training on Degania. Although she is "the mother of the collectives and the kibbutzim" she also differs in her way of life from the other kibbutzim and collectives which arose after her. Degania never had separate sleeping quarters for the children - they always slept at home within the family unit.

Hired labor always existed, as well as a liberal approach and an understanding of the needs of the individual.

During the past few years, Degania has been undergoing a process of change, at the end of which she will emerge as a different Degania