Download The Kibbutz`s brief history

Shaar Hagolan – Kibbutz on Two Borders
(A border with Jordan on the South & with Syria- before the 6 Days War, on the East)
Kibbutz "Ein Hakore": 1933 - 1937
Two groups of pioneers, veterans of "Hashomer
Hatzair" youth movement from Czechoslovakia
and Poland, decided to unite in 1933. They founded
kibbutz "Ein Hakore" on a small plot of land, west of
Rishon Letzion, given to them By the Jewish National
Fund. Couples were formed in "Ein Hakore" and
first families established. First children were born
and life patterns for the future were molded.
World War II, the members were severed from their
families forever. The first decade was over. The
Kibbutz numbered 170 members and 140 children.
Settling the Land - 1937
Members of kibbutz "Ein Hakore" appealed to
settling authorities and asked to settle in the area
purchased by the JNF in the Jordan Valley.
On 3/21/1937 a convoy of loaded trucks left kibbutz
Afikim, traveled two kilometers to the east and there
on a small hill, in an operation called "Tower and
Stockade", founded a new kibbutz – Shaar Hagolan.
They plowed the land to ensure ownership, safeguarded
the premises and started construction of the permanent
settlement. Six months later all members and children
moved to Shaar-Hagolan. The kibbutz numbered 112
members and 20 children on its first year.
The First Decade: 1937 - 1947
They argued and quarreled over everything. They built
a motorized water pump installation on the Yarmuk,
laid water and electricity lines and built irrigation
channels. They planted bananas plantations, a
vineyard, citrus grove, vegetable garden, erected
farm buildings and workshops, dairy and chicken
coops. When they excavated the fish ponds in the
area between the kibbutz and the Yarmuk River, they
exposed the remnants of an ancient culture from the
Neolithic Age. In September 1939, on the onset of
The War of Independence: 1947- 1948
29th of November 1947, The UN decided to
divide the land of Israel between Jews and Arabs,
security tension reached its climax. The kibbutz was
crisscrossed with trenches and shelters and outposts
were built. When the birth of the state was declared
on the 14.5.1948 members danced and rejoiced with
deep forebodings in their hearts of Syrian invasion.
On the 15 of May 1948, the kibbutz was attacked by
Syrian forces that invaded the Jordan Valley from
El Hamah road. After two days of fighting a fierce
battle, the Syrians occupied Zemach and the police
station. Children and women were evacuated at night
to Haifa. Shaar-Hagolan felt abandoned; defense
forces that reinforced them were pulled out and placed
in Degania to confront the Syrian attack there. The
members retreated from the kibbutzim and watched
from a distance how their life labor of ten years was
looted, destroyed and burnt to the ground. The next
day they pulled themselves together and returned to
the kibbutzim. They faced total devastation; they
had to begin again from scratch.
The Second Decade 1948 - 1957
All efforts concentrated on reconstruction, the
controversy whether they had done the right thing
in retreating were left to historians. The kibbutz was
in a momentum of construction and development,
destroyed houses were replaced by better lodgings
and a swimming pool was built. More fields were
plowed and irrigated. First sons returning from
military service and graduates of youth groups who
decided to stay. A high school, "Bikaat Kinnrot",
was built jointly with Kibbutz Beit Zera.
gardeners had to replant the dug- out areas. Success
of the agricultural farm and the eventual evolvement
of the industrial plant improved economic status. In
1970 The "War of Attrition" ended. The valley was
quiet. "Yom Kippur war" broke suddenly, bringing
about frenzied recruitment of members. Within
a day, the kibbutz faced once again, the danger of
Syrian occupation. Defense battles on the Golan
Heights and the counter attack removed the threat.
The Fifth and Sixth Decades
Security existential problems were replaced by
economic ones. The kibbutz was swept by forces
of change. In 1991 it decided that children would
sleep at their parents' houses and made changes
in the collective education. The buildings that
were vacated were used for the fledgling "Country
Lodging" enterprise in 1994 which together with
the new museum of "Yarmukian Colture" were
the basis for developing the Tourism branch. Great
developments and economic growth in Golan plant
with the introduction of Pex pipes.
The Last decade 1997 - 2010
Third decade: 1957 - 1967
The kibbutz decided to found an industry and decided
in 1964 to build a plant for plastic profiles called
"Golan Plastic". A Syrian plan to divert the sources
of the Jordan induced a Water War and increased
tension that reached its climax in the Six Days War.
The Syrian border was moved Eastward and that
created a sense of security which evaporated with
the onset of the "War of Attrition" (1967 -1970).
Fourth Decade: 1967 - 1977
The kibbutz was under shell fire for three years which
necessitated building of defense trenches, shelters
and safe rooms. Children slept in shelters and the
The kibbutz is in the throes of endless arguments
about maintaining its collective orientation.
Economic success of Golan Products and agricultural
branches stabilized the financial system and enabled
growth and rise in standard of living.
The kibbutz built a nursing home for elderly members
and made personal pension plans to all members.
Some families of sons returned to the kibbutz.
Where Are We Heading?
The arguments between those who are in favor
of privatization and those who want to maintain
collectivity will continue. As of 2011 the kibbutz
numbers 290 members and 130 children, (Total of
700 habitants). Economic status is good and Shaar
Hagolan is considered a strong kibbutz both socially
and economically.
Agro Tourism - Kibbutz Shaar Hagolan | Tel. 972-4-6677544 | www.agrotour.co.il
"El Mul Golan" Country lodging | Tel. 972-4-6677544 | www.elmulgolan.co.il