לחצ/י כאן לעברית

Home Page  |  History  |  About the Kibbutz  | Pictures  |  In the Media  |  Tractors  |
 Hours of Operation  |  Map and Directions  |  Our YouTube Videos  |   Links
............. Our Programs .............
"A Kibbutz flavor"  | "Kibbutz tour and Falafel dinner"  |  "Become a Kibbutz member for a day"
"Kibbutz past and present"  |  "Lunch en-Route menu"  |  "Kibbutz Breakfast"
 

      

History

 

The story of Ein Shemer begins at the turn of the twentieth century. The setting: Lodz, the heart of Poland’s textile industry. Thirty young Jews meet and decide to transform their lives. Deeply affected by exciting and novel ideas put forth by “Hashomer Hatzair”, the Zionist-socialist youth group, these young people decide to immigrate to pre-state Israel. Their vision: establishing a kibbutz - a new way of life that is communal, egalitarian and based on farming the land.

The young pioneers’ decision to leave their previous lives wasn’t an easy one. Though their parents and friends implored them not to, each packed a small suitcase. Leaving homes and families, relinquishing studies and personal professional development, they bid friends, family and culture goodbye to travel across the sea to what appears to be a primitive and remote land. There they are to lead arduous, destitute lives without a penny to their name. And yet they stand firm; they follow their hearts and pursue their dream.

One by one, the young pioneers arrive in pre-state Israel and settle in Ein Ganim, a small workers’ settlement near Petach Tikva. There they earn their keep by working in the nearby orchards. Two years of expectant waiting pass, and finally the opportunity presents itself. The group of pioneers is offered a small, remote courtyard called “Karkur”, built by various pioneer groups over the years.

The courtyard, surrounded by a stone wall six and a half feet high with small cracks for weapon barrels, had a large iron gate and a two-storey stone house for protection, if necessary. The house was built according to late nineteenth century fashion in rural southern France. After investigating the premises, members vote unanimously in favor, and in Shavuot of 1927 the first pioneers arrive from Ein Ganim to settle in the courtyard.

The early years are desperately difficult. The pioneers are engaged in a long and continuous struggle to survive. They must overcome devastating water and food shortages, desperation, loneliness and longing for home; and as though that is not enough, incessant sickness. But despite these hardships, the pioneers persevere and keep working. They are driven by faith, enthusiasm and profound dedication to their mission. Above all, they stay together, united as one family, come hell or high water.

Their efforts were not in vain, and the fruits of their labor became apparent several years after they settled. The courtyard settlement grew larger and new members joined, granting Ein Shemer fresh enthusiasm and good companionship. New shacks were set up by the stone house, a dining room and a bakery were constructed, and farm animals were purchased. In 1936, the first gush of water - from a well dug nearby – radically improved the kibbutz’s farming efforts.

The pioneers decided to name their new home Ein Shemer to honor their bond to Hashomer Hatzair. Generations of children were born, and the kibbutz developed, rapidly becoming a successful and fruitful settlement and today Ein Shemer has over 400 members.

 

Home Page  |  History  |  About the Kibbutz  | Pictures  |  In the Media  |  Tractors  |
 Hours of Operation  |  Map and Directions  |  Our YouTube Videos  |   Links
............. Our Programs .............
"A Kibbutz flavor"  | "Kibbutz tour and Falafel dinner"  |  "Become a Kibbutz member for a day"
"Kibbutz past and present"  |  "Lunch en-Route menu"  |  "Kibbutz Breakfast"
 

Email us to rishonim@ein-shemer.org.il

The Ein Shemer unique kibbutz experience is on your way when traveling Israel, just minutes away from Caesarea & about an hour drive from Tel Aviv and Ben-Gurion airport coming from the south, drive 30 minutes and you are in Haifa in the north.

Our experience is for all ages, we offer great programs and meals en route for individuals and groups for different interests – just call us and we will set the right program for you.