Manara (kibbutz)

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Manara (Hebrew: מנרה‎) is a kibbutz located in the Upper Galilee area of northern Israel, adjacent to the Lebanese border and overlooking the Hula Valley. It falls under the jurisdiction of Upper Galilee Regional Council.

[edit] History

The kibbutz was established in 1943 by members of the HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed youth group, and other young immigrants from Germany and Poland. At one point the kibbutz was renamed Ramim (Hebrew: רמים‎, lit. Heights) in an attempt to replace its Arabic-derived name (Manara derives from Minaret) with a Hebrew one. However, the new name failed to take hold amongst local residents, and the idea was later dropped.

Leon Uris visited the kibbutz while researching his novel, "Exodus", whilst Yitzhak Rabin's sister is a member.

As Manara lies less than 100 metres from the Lebanese border, problems have arisen during fighting between the two countries. The Manara bypass project was completed in 2005 to provide safe access to the kibbutz. Recent plans to build more than 80 homes in Manara, to take advantage of its scenic location, have been put on hold.

Manara is boasted to be 888 metres above sea level and is a rare style for a kibbutz, with apartments providing the accommodation, due to the limited space.

[edit] Economy

Manara's main industries are agriculture (primarily cotton fields, apples and chickens), tourism to the scenic cliffs via its cable cars descending to Kiryat Shmona in the valley below, and a technical glass manufacturing plant.

[edit] Gallery

Manara	The Manara Cable car (right)	View of Lebanon from Manara	The Cliffs around Manara
Sunrise at the Manara Cliff site	View from Manara toward Mount Hermon	Upper cable car station

[edit] External links

• Official website (Hebrew)

Coordinates: 33°11′45″N, 35°32′40″E