Heftziba

Heftziba
Founded 1922
Founded by Immigrants from Czechoslovakia and Germany
Council Gilboa
Region Gilboa
Affiliation Kibbutz Movement
Coordinates
Population 365[1] (2008)
Heftziba

Heftziba (Hebrew: חֶפְצִיבָּהּ‎‎') is a kibbutz in northern Israel. Located on the boundaries of the Jezreel and Beit She'an Valleys between the cities of Afula and Beit She'an, it falls under the jurisdiction of Gilboa Regional Council. Kibbutz Heftziba has a population of 374.

History

The kibbutz was founded in 1922 by immigrants from Czechoslovakia and Germany. It was named after the farm adjacent to Hadera, where the original settlers worked before they relocated and founded the community. Originally the name derives from the Bible, where God speaks about his love for Israel: "My delight in her." (Isaiah 62:4) The remains of the ancient Beit Alfa Synagogue[2] are within the kibbutz's land.

Makuya

Makuya students have been sent to Israeli kibbutzim to work together with the people of the Bible, and to study Hebrew and the biblical background. Some of them continue their academic studies in universities. The primary kibbutz the Makuya students stay at is Heftziba.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Locality File" (XLS). Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. 2008. http://www.cbs.gov.il/ishuvim/ishuv2008/bycode.xls. Retrieved 2010-06-22. 
  2. ^ Goldman, Bernard, The Sacred Portal: a primary symbol in ancient Judaic art, Detroit : Wayne State University Press, 1966. It has a detailed account and treatment of the mosaic at the Beit Alfa synagogue.
  3. ^ Mukuya presence at Heftziba