| Eilon | ||
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| Founded | 1938 | |
| Founded by | Immigrants from Poland | |
| Council | Mateh Asher | |
| Region | Western Galilee | |
| Affiliation | Kibbutz Movement | |
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Eilon
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Eilon (Hebrew: אֵילוֹן) is a kibbutz in northern Israel. Located a mile south of Lebanese border and six miles east of the Mediterranean coast, the kibbutz sits on a ridge between two streams, Nahal Betzet and Nahal Kziv and falls under the jurisdiction of Mateh Asher Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of around 802.
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The name Eilon is derived from Elah (terebinth) and Alon (oak), two tree species abundant in this heavily forested area of northern Israel, though specifically referred to the "remnants of ancient trees in the vicinity." [1]
The kibbutz was established on 400 dunams of land in Khirbet Samak, purchased in 1938 by the Jewish National Fund. [2] It was settled that year by a group of Polish immigrants and Palestinian Jews. [1] The inhabitants found themselves under constant fire in the wake of the 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine. [1]Eilon was one of the early tower and stockade settlements. Calm was achieved after the Galilee was cleared of Lebanese troops and Kaukji's bands in November 1948. [1]
In 1947, the kibbutz had a population of 350, successfully reclaiming rocky land that had been designated by the British Mandatory government as uncultivable. The kibbutz was initially affiliated with Hashomer Hatzair. [1]
Eilon derives its income from agriculture (bananas, avocado, exotic fruit, cotton); industry (Eshet Eilon manufactures agri-industrial systems to sort vegetables and fruit; Eilon Mosaic manufactures decorative mosaic); and tourism (Keshet Eilon Country Lodging is a guesthouse). A world-renowned violin master course called Keshet Eilon takes place annually in Eilon. Under the patronage of Maestro Shlomo Mintz and the musical directorship of Itzhak Rashkovsky, fifty young violinists from around the world spend each summer receiving extensive violin instruction and performing concerts.
Eilon accepts a number of International Volunteers that in return for lodgings, meals and laundry, work in a variety of locations on the kibbutz. One of the highlights of being a volunteer is the Vollies (Volunteers) Bar, which is situated close to the volunteers quarters.
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