The glue that has held the Love Israel family together for 34 years is common spiritual beliefs. But its culture has evolved from deep faith and dedication community.
During the Monday morning spiritual meeting the family assembles to talk and pray. Love, center, is flanked by his wife, Honesty, and Serious. They end with a chant. Says Love, "The one song we all know is one chant. We can all do that. We are saying, 'God, here we are, and we want this to be our prayer to you. A prayer beyond words that everything good happens to us and everybody we love. We don't even know what to ask for, so we are going to do this chant instead.'"
Three generations interact easily in the Love Israel family. Almost every activity and party has a wide range of ages. The boundaries that usually exist between generations in mainstream American culture are vitually non-existent in the Love Israel family.
The Israel family's culture, which has evolved over the 34 years of its existence, is marked by special events and traditions. During one of these, the annual Easter egg hunt, one lucky hunter finds the "Golden Egg" and becomes "king for a day" at the next golden egg party, which the adults throw for their children. Before the start of the 2001 party, Center is carried by his brothers to Meditation Knoll, where he will relinquish the throne to next year's king. The brothers are, from left, More, Brotherhood and Clean.
Joshiah gives Fortitude a chiropractic adjustment after a family council meeting in the sanctuary, a large room that serves as both Love Israel's living room and a place of frequent gatherings. Joshiah has been a family member for seven years. "My parents thought I was crazy," he says, "but this has been the happiest time of my life." Fortitude who has been with the family 22 years, managed the family restaurant, The Bistro, before it was sold several months ago.
After pruning a cherry tree, Strong, left, and Order, right, attempt to burn the rain-soaked branches with the help of Won, wearing hat, who has been in the family for 26 years. Won, a professional entertainer and comedian, leaves the ranch to perform. Strong and Order, who were raised on the ranch but now live in Arlington, come back for the Saturday morning meeting and to help with chores.
Steadfast roasts shade-grown coffee in a small workshop at the ranch. "Stedy" came to the family in 1970 when he was 22. His coffee can be purchased at the Sno-Isle Natural Foods Co-op in Everett.
Commitment protects Joshiah from the rain as they leave his cabin at left. When these structures were first built, they served as outhouses for visiting parents. Now they serve as sleeping quarters. Joshiah is a member of Love and Honesty’s household, where he eats his meals and showers and which is just a few steps from his cabin.
Ease, 27, shows off her baby-to-be at the annual Arlington Garlic and Music Festival. Ease and her partner named their baby boy Real. The family's festival, now in its 14th year, is a three-day event the second weekend in August.
Ammishaddai and her 13-year-old son, Peace, relax in their home. After looking for people to gather with, Ammishaddai joined the family at age 20 and has been a member for more than 21 years. All of her five children have been raised on the ranch. She operates New World Graphics, a graphics and Web design business, from her home.
Serious Israel, right, spokesman for the Love Israel family, shares a light moment with a new friend.
