Manara, Israel

Menara
מְנָרָה‎
Menara
Coordinates: 33°11′45″N 35°32′40″E / 33.19583°N 35.54444°E / 33.19583; 35.54444Coordinates: 33°11′45″N 35°32′40″E / 33.19583°N 35.54444°E / 33.19583; 35.54444
District Northern
Council Upper Galilee
Affiliation Kibbutz Movement
Founded 1943
Founded by HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed members
Population (2015)[1] 224
Website www.manara.co.il

Menara (Hebrew: מְנָרָה‎) is a kibbutz in northern Israel. Located in the Upper Galilee adjacent to the Lebanese border and overlooking the Hula Valley, it falls under the jurisdiction of Upper Galilee Regional Council. In 2015 it had a population of 224.[1]

History

The kibbutz was established in 1943 by members of the HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed youth group, and other young immigrants from Germany and Poland. At one point the kibbutz was renamed Ramim (Hebrew: רמים‎, lit. Tall ones) in an attempt to replace its Arabic name (Manara derives from Minaret) with a Hebrew one. However, the new name failed to take hold amongst local residents. The kibbutz then came to a settlement with the government whereby the name Menara, with an accent on the last syllable (a Hebraicized form of Manara, accented on the second syllable) would be made official.

Yiftach Brigade bringing supplies to Kibbutz Manara. 1948
Bulgarian Company of Yiftach Brigade with a convoy to Manara. 1948

Leon Uris visited the kibbutz while researching his novel, Exodus. Former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's sister is also a member.

As Manara lies less than 100 metres from the Lebanese border, problems have arisen during fighting between the two countries. The Menara bypass project was completed in 2005 to provide safe access to the kibbutz. Recent plans to build more than 80 homes in Menara, to take advantage of its scenic location, have been put on hold.

Manara is boasted to be 888 metres above sea level and is a rare style for a kibbutz, with apartments providing the accommodation, due to the limited space.

Economy

Manara's main industries are agriculture (primarily cotton fields, apples and chickens), tourism to the scenic cliffs via its cable cars descending to Kiryat Shmona in the valley below, and a technical glass manufacturing plant.

See also

  1. 1 2 "List of localities, in Alphabetical order" (PDF). Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
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