HaZore'a

Hazore'a
Hazore'a
Coordinates: 32°38′41″N 35°07′15″E / 32.64472°N 35.12083°E / 32.64472; 35.12083Coordinates: 32°38′41″N 35°07′15″E / 32.64472°N 35.12083°E / 32.64472; 35.12083
Council	Megiddo
Region	Jezreel Valley
Affiliation	Kibbutz Movement
Founded	1936
Founded by	Hashomer Hatzair members from Germany
Website	www.Hazorea.org.il

HaZore'a (Hebrew: הַזּוֹרֵעַ, lit. The Sower) is a kibbutz in northern Israel. Located in the west of the Jezreel Valley, it falls under the jurisdiction of Megiddo Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 901.

Geography

HaZore'a is located on the western rim of the valley, surrounded by the HaZore'a Forest to the south and west of the kibbutz, Yokneam Moshava to the north, the city of Yokneam to the north-west and the fields and fishponds of the Jezreel Valley to the east. Some of the kibbutz is built upon the hillsides of two neighboring hills, whereas the rest of it extends upon the plain that stretches beneath them. Between those hills and throughout the kibbutz runs Hashofet Stream, a seasonal creek nicknamed "the wadi" or "the forer" in local lingo.

History

As an organization, the kibbutz was founded in 1934 by Werkleute members from Germany. Until the purchased land was ready the kibbutz members lived and worked in Hadera for two years.^[1]

During the 1950s it was a center of Hashomer Hatzair attempts to work with the local Arab population.^[2]

Economy

HaZore'a's industries include a plastics factory ("Plastopil" ), a cowshed, an aquaculture complex ("HaZore'a Aquatics" ), a quality control centre ("Maba" ) and various field crops.

As many other kibbutzes, HaZore'a is undergoing a complex process of change from the model of "the traditional kibbutz", where everything is equally shared, to a more "modern" form of settlement. However, as there is much controversy within the kibbutz regarding its future characteristics, the subject of change remains a topic of ongoing public debate in the kibbutz.

Essentially, HaZore'a still operates as a socialistic society, providing uniform living conditions to kibbutz members. Nevertheless, several changes of individualistic nature have already taken place, such as privatizations of services like the dining room and the electricity utility. Another example is official recognition of certain "residency" statuses, which allow some populations to reside in the kibbutz without being part of the economic collective.

Communal life

HaZore'a maintains a lively dining room facility, in which people regularly meet to dine together, and it is regarded as one of the most important foundations of the kibbutz community. The local auditorium is used for cultural and communal activities, such as celebrating Jewish holidays. The kibbutz issues a weekly paper titled "Ba'sha'ar" (English: "At the gate"), which serves as a medium for a variety of material concerning everyday life in the kibbutz.

Administration

Like other kibbutzes, HaZore'a is a democratic society. At the head of the kibbutz stands the Secretariat which comprises two secretaries, in charge of all social matters in the community. A wider forum is the Community Council, which includes roughly 15 kibbutz members and meets once a week to discuss matters needing further attention. The final decisive authority of the kibbutz is the ballot, for which all members are eligible to vote.

Education

HaZore'a is home to Plagim Elementary School (established 1991), where children from the kibbutz and five other settlements study 1st to 6th grade. The school belongs to Megiddo Regional Council, and is part of the Israeli state education system.

Another option, open to both Jews and non-Jews, is the volunteering program, offering a less obligating frame for young people to experience kibbutz life. There is also Garin Tzabar and lone soldier programs that reside on the kibbutz.^[3]

Culture

Wilfrid Israel Museum

HaZore'a is home to the Wilfrid Israel Museum, an archaeology and art museum whose kernel is the Asian art collection of Wilfrid Israel. The museum was designed by Alfred Mansfeld.^[4]

References

External links

• HaZore'a - Official Website (Hebrew)
• Wilfrid Israel Museum (Hebrew)