Eilon

Infobox_Kibbutz
kibbutz_name = Eilon
foundation = 1938
founded_by = Immigrants from Poland
region = Western Galilee
council = Mateh Asher
industry = Agriculture, manufacturing, tourism
affiliation = Kibbutz Movement
website =

Eilon ( _he. אֵילוֹן) is a kibbutz in northern Israel. Located a mile south of Lebanese border and six miles east of the Mediterranean coast, the kibbutz sits on a ridge between two streams, Nahal Betzet and Nahal Kziv and falls under the jurisdiction of Mateh Asher Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of around 802.

History

Established in 1938 by a group of Polish immigrants, Eilon was one of the original tower and stockade settlements that were created to establish Jewish presence in the margins of Mandate Palestine. Its original political affiliation was with Hashomer Hatzair, a left-of-center Socialist movement that is part of the Meretz-Yachad (formerly Mapam) party. The name Eilon is derived from Ela and Alon, two tree species abundant in this heavily forested area of northern Israel.

Economy

Eilon derives its income from agriculture (bananas, avocado, exotic fruit, cotton); industry (Eshet Eilon manufactures agri-industrial systems to sort vegetables and fruit; Eilon Mosaic manufactures decorative mosaic); and tourism (Keshet Eilon Country Lodging is a guesthouse). A world-renowned violin master course called Keshet Eilon takes place annually in Eilon. Under the patronage of Maestro Shlomo Mintz and the musical directorship of Itzhak Rashkovsky, fifty young violinists from around the world spend each summer receiving extensive violin instruction and performing concerts.

Volunteers

Eilon accepts a number of International Volunteers that in return for lodgings, meals and laundry, work in a variety of locations on the kibbutz. One of the highlights of being a volunteer is the Vollies (Volunteers) Bar, which is situated close to the volunteers quarters.