Many of the earlier members suffered the iniquities of the Holocaust and came to build a new life in their own country. Over the years the composition of Sde Eliyahu's population has changed. Many second and third generation children have also joined. Approximately 750 people now populate Sde Eliyahu. Sde Eliyahu continues to conduct its life along the classical kibbutz model.
Members eat in the communal dining hall.
Medical care, education, housing, laundry are communally supplied according to need. Each member is allotted a personal budget for clothing, vacationing and various cash expenses. A relatively high percentage of the potential workforce is given an opportunity to pursue advanced Jewish, general or vocational studies, either for personal edification or task-oriented. However, various spheres of the kibbutz life are governed by elected committees. These, though constrained by a budget assigned annually by the general meeting, have a considerable degree of autonomy.