Be'eri

This article is about the kibbutz in Israel. For the biblical figure, see Beeri. Be'eri is also the Hebrew name of the labor Zionist Berl Katznelson.
Be'eri

The old Be'eri (Nahabir).
Hebrew בְּאֵרִי
Founded 6 October 1946
Founded by HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed members
Council Eshkol
Region Northern Negev
Affiliation Kibbutz Movement
Coordinates
Be'eri
Website beeri.kibbutz.org.il

Be'eri (Hebrew: בְּאֵרִי‎‎) is a kibbutz in southern Israel. Located in the north-western Negev desert near the border with the Gaza Strip, it falls under the jurisdiction of Eshkol Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 774.

Contents

History

Kibbutz Beeri established on 6 October 1946 as one of the 11 points in the Negev. It was located near Wadi Nahabir, a few kilometres south of Be'erot Yitzhak. Its founders were members of the HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed movement, who had been preparing in Maoz Haim, as well as some Hebrew scouts. It was named after Berl Katznelson, as Be'eri was his literary name.[1]

In 1947 Be'eri had a population of over 150, and before the 1948 Arab-Israeli war the settlers were engaged in land reclamation and tree planting. [2] The group was enlarged by a number of young Halutzim from Iraq who arrived by desert trek. According to a report from the Jewish National Fund in 1949, "For many months the Kibbutz was completely isolated but the settlers held their ground until the liberation of the Negev in October, 1948." [2]

After Israeli independence in 1948, the kibbutz was moved 3 kilometres south-east to its present location. It has traditionally been one of Israel's wealthiest kibbutzim.[1] However, since the start of the Second Intifada, it has suffered from Qassam rocket attacks and combat near the Israeli Gaza Strip barrier eight kilometers away.[3]

Kibbutz Be'eri has hosted many volunteers over the years. One of the most notable is United States Congresswoman and 2012 Presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, who worked there in 1974.

Landmarks

About four kilometers to the north lies the ANZAC Monument, commemorating the ANZAC soldiers who died in the Third Battle of Gaza in World War I.[1]

Sports

Kibbutz Beeri basketball team, Hapoel Be'eri B.C. is playing the Liga Leumit.

References

  1. ^ a b c Mapa's concise gazetteer of Israel. Yuval Elʻazari (ed.). Tel-Aviv: Mapa Publishing. 2005. pp. 53–54. ISBN 9657184347.  (Hebrew)
  2. ^ a b Jewish National Fund (1949). Jewish Villages in Israel. Jerusalem: Hamadpis Liphshitz Press. pp. 14. 
  3. ^ Eyadat, Fadi (2008-04-17). "Kibbutz Be'eri residents ask: War, what war? It's 8 kilometers away". Haaretz. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/975732.html. Retrieved 2008-06-07. 

External links

Kibbutzim
Moshavim
Other locations