Gesher HaZiv
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| Gesher HaZiv | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1949 |
| Founded by | Immigrants from North American Habonim and former members of kibbutz Beit HaArava |
| Region | Western Galilee |
| Industries | Agriculture, manufacturing, tourism |
| Affiliation | Kibbutz Movement |
| Website | www.gesherhaziv.org.il |
Gesher HaZiv (Hebrew: גשר הזיו, lit. Bridge of the Radiance) is a kibbutz in the Western Galilee in Israel. Located on the coastal highway between Nahariya and Rosh HaNikra, it is situated opposite the Akhziv National Park and falls under the jurisdiction of Matte Asher Regional Council.
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[edit] History
The kibbutz was founded in 1949 by two groups: 120 immigrants from the first immigrants' nucleus group ("gar'in"; גרעין) of the Habonim Labor Zionist youth movement in North America, and half of the former members of kibbutz Beit HaArava, evacuated during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. It is named in memory of the 14 Palmach members who died during the night of the bridges in 1946.
In July 1998, Gesher HaZiv joined the vanguard of "privatization" in the kibbutz movement. Largely due to pressures caused by collective debts, the majority of the membership voted to adopt a policy of "differential income". Numerous economic branches were sold off, and many communal services were either shut down entirely or converted to a non-subsidized, pay-per-use basis.
"Nahlat Ziv," a housing development now in the fourth and last stage of construction on what was formerly agricultural land, numbers 200 units. Its projected total population will eventually be double that remaining of the kibbutz membership, now approximately 100 households. Another housing tract is being developed for offspring of kibbutz members who plan to build homes there.
[edit] Education
In 1952, Gesher HaZiv became the second kibbutz to have its children sleep in the parents' homes (Hebrew: לינה משפחתית, lina Mishpahtit) rather than in communal children's houses (Hebrew: לינה משותפת, lina meshutefet).
On the kibbutz grounds are two regional schools: the elementary school Hofei HaGalil ("Galilee Shores"; grades 1-6) and the secondary school Sulam Tzor ("Ladder to Tyre"; grades 7-12). These schools serve local kibbutzim and moshavim, along with accepting private students from nearby towns. Since the mid-1990s, Gesher HaZiv has its own local chapter of the Zionist youth movement HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed.
[edit] Further reading
- Goldberg, J.J. and King, Eliot (eds.), Builders and Dreamers: Habonim Labor Zionist Youth in North America. New York: Herzl Press, 1993. ISBN 0845348418
[edit] External links
- Official website (Hebrew)
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