Hazorea

Infobox_Kibbutz
kibbutz_name = Hazorea
foundation = 1936
founded_by = Hashomer Hatzair members
region = Jezreel Valley
council = Megiddo
industry = Agriculture, leisure, manufacturing, quality control
affiliation = Kibbutz Movement
website = [http://www.hazorea.org.il/ www.hazorea.org.il]

Hazorea (Lang-he|הזורע, 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

Hazorea is located on the western rim of the valley, surrounded by the Hazorea 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. Throughout the kibbutz runs Hashofet Stream, a seasonal creek nicknamed "the wadi" or "the forer" in local lingo.

History

As an organisation, the kibbutz was founded in 1934 by Hashomer Hatzair members from Germany. The settlement itself was established two years later.

Economy

Hazorea's industries include a plastics factory ("Plastopil" [http://www.plastopil.com/HTMLs/Home.aspx] ), a cowshed, an aquaculture complex ("Hazorea Aquatics" [http://www.aquatics.co.il/] ), a quality control centre ("Maba" [http://www.mba.co.il/] ) and various field crops.

As many other kibbutzim, Hazorea 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, there is much controversy within the kibbutz regarding its future characteristics, thus the subject of change remains a topic of ongoing public debate in the kibbutz.

Communal Life

Hazorea 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 media for a variety of material concerning everyday life in the kibbutz.

Administration

Like other kibbutzim, Hazorea 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

Hazorea 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.

Hazorea also has an ulpan program, which allows Jews from all over the world to combine Hebrew study with life and work in the kibbutz. Another option, open for both Jewish and non-Jewish, is the volunteer program, offering a less obligating frame for young people to experience kibbutz life.

Culture

Hazorea is home to the Wilfrid Israel Museum, which is named in honor of Berlin-born Wilfrid B. Israel, who helped many Jews escape from the Nazis.

External links

* [http://www.hazorea.org.il/ Official Website] he icon
* [http://www.wilfrid.org.il Wilfrid Israel Museum] he icon