Kiryat Anavim

Infobox_Kibbutz
kibbutz_name = Kiryat Anavim
foundation = 1920
founded_by = Immigrants from the Third Aliyah
region = Judean Mountains
council = Mateh Yehuda
industry = Agriculture, tourism
affiliation = Kibbutz Movement
website = [http://www.kiryatanavim.com/ www.kiryatanavim.com]

Kiryat Anavim ( _he. קִרְיַת עֲנָבִים, lit. "City of Grapes") was the first kibbutz established in the Judean Hills. [http://kiryatanavim.homestead.com/whoweare.html Our History] It is located west of Jerusalem, and falls under the jurisdiction of the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 323.

History

The land on which the kibbutz stands was purchased in 1914 by the Jewish National Fund from landowners in the neighboring village of Abu Ghosh. In 1919 a group of 25 pioneers from the Ukrainian town of Zhvanitz settled on the land, [ [http://www.samorbaum.com/notP1-people/Idl.html not page one ] ] near a small spring called "Dilb." By the end of 1920] , there were 200 pioneers on the kibbutz. In 1924, another group, "Gordonia", arrived from Galicia, Poland.

On November 9, 1937, five members of Kiryat Anavim were killed by terrorists (Kibbutz Ma'ale HaHamisha, lit. "Hill of the Five," was named for them).

During Israel's War of Independence, Kiryat Anavim served as a base for the Haganah. They used the kibbutz watchtower as a jail for prisoners kidnapped by the Irgun. [http://www.etzel.org.il/english/photo/maatzar.htm The Watch-Tower in Kiryat-Anavim] The Palmach 4th Battalion, with Uzi Narkiss, mounted their fight for Shaar Hagai, the road to Jerusalem, and the city itself, from Kiryat Anavim. [http://info.jpost.com/1998/Supplements/30years/narkiss.html A defender of Jerusalem]

On September 6, 1996, a fire in the Jerusalem Corridor caused extensive damage in Kiryat Anavim and surroundings. Fifteen homes and 10 other buildings were damaged in the blaze. [http://www.emergency.com/isrlfr-2.htm Israeli Fire Destroys 40 Homes]

Economy

In the early days, the pioneers operated a dairy and a poultry farm. Today the kibbutz runs a hotel and convention center. [ http://www.inisrael.com Kiryat Anavim Kibbutz Hotel] Anavid Insulation Products, founded in 1981, is wholly owned by Kibbutz Kiryat Anavim. The plant produces thermal insulation and sealing materials.

Landmarks

Soldiers of the Harel Brigade who fought in the Israeli War of Independence are buried at Kiryat Anavim Military Cemetery [http://www.gemsinisrael.com/e_article000003343.htm Warriors' Final Resting Place]

References

Bibliography

*'The Book of Life of Kiryat Anavim', written by Yael Weiler, Cathedra, 114, 2004, pp. 149-159. (Hebrew)
*'Diary of Kevutzat Kiryat Anavim 1920-1929' (Sefer Hachayim), Edited by Ed. Aviva Ufaz, Yad Ben Zvi 2001 ( Hebrew )
*'Vehigadta Lebinha - 50 Years of Independence', Kiryat Anavim 1998 (Hebrew)
*'Sipurei Kibbutzim' (Stories of Kibbutzim), Edited by Zeev Aner, Ministry of Defense Israel 1998 ISBN 965-05-0946 ( Hebrew)
*'Document and Fiction of the THIRD ALIYA', written by Aviva Ufaz, Hakibbutz Hameuchad 1996 ( Hebrew)

External links

* [http://kiryatanavim.homestead.com Official website]