Hafetz Haim
| Hafetz Haim | |
|---|---|
  Hafetz Haim | |
| Coordinates: 31°47′18.95″N 34°47′59.99″E / 31.7885972°N 34.7999972°ECoordinates: 31°47′18.95″N 34°47′59.99″E / 31.7885972°N 34.7999972°E | |
| Council | Nahal Sorek |
| Region | Shephelah |
| Affiliation | Agudat Israel Workers |
| Founded |
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| Website | Kibbutz Hafetz Hayim |
Hafetz Haim (Hebrew: חָפֵץ חַיִּים, lit. Desires life) is a religious kibbutz in central Israel. Located in the Shephelah, it falls under the jurisdiction of Nahal Sorek Regional Council. In 2006, it had a population of 450.
 Synagogue at Kibbutz Hafetz Haim |
The land on which Hafetz Haim was established had been bought by the Jewish National Fund, and was first settled on 15 August 1937 as a tower and stockade settlement. It was named Sha'ar HaNegev, and then Kfar Szold (after Henrietta Szold). However, on 13 November 1942 the community moved to the Finger of the Galilee, where they established a new kibbutz, also called Kfar Szold.
On 25 April 1944 a new kibbutz was established. The founders were religious pioneers from Germany and members of the Ezra youth movement and Agudat Israel who had been preparing near Kfar Saba. It was the first village founded by Agudat Israel and was named after Yisrael Meir Kagan, who was also known as The Hafetz Haim after one of his famous works with the title “Chofetz Chaim”, trans. Desirer of Life.
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