- Lahav
Infobox_Kibbutz
kibbutz_name = Lahav
foundation = 1952
founded_by =Nahal
region = NorthernNegev
council = Bnei Shimon
industry = Agriculture
affiliation =Kibbutz Movement
website =:"For the Israeli security organization, see
Lahav 433 ."Lahav ( _he. להב) is akibbutz in southernIsrael . Located around 20 km north ofBeersheba and covering 33,000dunam s, it falls under the jurisdiction ofBnei Shimon Regional Council . In 2006, it had a population of 384.The kibbutz was established in 1952 and was initially named Tziklag ( _he. צקלג) after the Biblical city of
Ziklag , which was thought to have been located nearby. Originally the founders had been unsure whether to settle in theNegev orGalilee , but accepted a government decision that settling onTel Halifa in the Negev was more important. After a few years, the kibbutz was renamed Lahav in honour of theNahal group which established it.Economy
Economically, Lahav relies on agriculture (both crops and livestock) and has two industrial ventures: a plant for plastic containers ("Dolev") owned and operated jointly with the neighboring kibbutz,
Dvir , and a meat processing plant.In 1963, Lahav established the "Institute for Animal Research" with guidance from leading scientists from the
Hebrew University 's Faculty of Agriculture, which is the only research facility in Israel specializing in raising pigs. [ [http://www.animalresearch.co.il/f_set_eng.htm Institute for Animal Research] , Lahav.] According to a 1963 law, pigs can be legally raised in kibbutzim (or more generally on land leased from the state) only for research purposes, but meat from surplus animals may be sold. [ [http://209.157.64.200/focus/f-news/1051577/posts "Kosher swine"] , article by Arieh O'Sullivan in "Jerusalem Post ", January 4, 2004. Accessed July 19, 2008.] While all other kibbutzim abandoned pig farming to comply with the 1963 law, Lahav transferred its pig farm to its new organization, the Institute for Animal Research, which continues to supply Lahav's meat processing factory with surplus pigs. Lahav's pork and other meat products are nationally marketed in non-kosher food stores all over Israel, and the Lahav brand is a major competitor to non-kosher meat products ofMizra .References
External links
* [http://eng.negev-net.org.il/HTMLs/article.aspx?C2004=12739 Lahav] Negev Information Centre
* [http://www.bns.org.il/site/he/eCity.asp?pi=75 Lahav] on Bnei Shimon Regional Council site he icon
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