85 years, one kibbutz
On its 85th birthday, we invite you to a trip in time through the history of kibbutz Mishmar Haemek
The exact location is still unknown, the name has not been chosen yet, but the objective has already been set – founding a new Hebrew community.
At the beginning they built roads in the north, planted the first JNF forests in the area, established the town of Afula and the Haemek Hospital, as well as the agricultural school for girls in Nahalal.
Later they dedicated themselves to the setting up of their new home – kibbutz Mishmar Haemek – at the foot of the Menashe mountains. This is how it all started:
First days on the naked hilltops of Mishmar Haemek. Right to left: Burya Leen, Adek Gordon, Yaakov Hazan, Mordechai Bentov
The high commissioner, Sir Arthur Grenfell Wauchope, in a visit at the Mishmar Haemek forest, accompanied by Mordechai Bentov, a future member of the first Israeli government
Time to plant a new orchard
The great Arab rising, 1936: Mishmar Haemek is surrounded by Arab villages and suffers from arsons, thefts and break-ins by the hostile Arab neighbors. The British police set up roadblocks to tighten security
August 1938: A gang of Arab rioters attacks the police station in Atlit. The Jewish police officer Lazirovitch and his family members are kidnapped, and the parents are murdered. Three days later, Lazirovitch's children arrive at the kibbutz gate and tell their story. The kibbutz adopts the children
April 1948: Commander of the Arab Liberation Army, al-Qawuqji, briefs his soldiers at the village of Mansi before the attack on Mishmar Haemek
The kibbutz following the attack of al-Qawuqji, who had been defeated
Hashomer Hatzair's first boarding school is being built in the kibbutz
Students exercise on the roof
Kibbutz life: Band on the harvester, below – Hashomer Hatzair members
- For previous trips to the past, click here
