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HISTORY
Kibbutz
Tirat Zvi was established on 21st
of Tammuz, 5697, (June 30, 1937) as
a "Tower and Stockade" settlement.
Its first decade was marked by ceaseless
struggle for existence against extremely
difficult climactic conditions, swamps,
malaria, tense security situations,
and enemy assault.
On the 6th of Adar 56, 5708, (February
16th, 1948), the one hundred primitively
armed members of Tirat Zvi repelled
a coordinated attack by over six hundred
regular Iraqi troops.
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In 5727, (1967), following
the Six Day War, the kibbutz was the object
of shelling and terrorist attacks during the
War of Attrition.
MAKING A LIVING
After the Six
Day War, members of Tirat Zvi were free
to apply their energies and thought to the
development of its economy.
After much 'hit-and-miss' experimentation,
the following branches of agriculture were
found to be successful and profitable: wheat,
cotton, carrots, potatoes, dates, olives,
fish farming, and turkeys.
Along with agriculture, Tirat Zvi's factory
for production of sausage and smoked meats
- "Tiv" - greatly expanded, marketing
its high quality products to all parts of
the country and the world. The factory's
work force is composed of seventy kibbutz
members and one hundred and fifty hired
employees.
New branches recently came into being: "Tiv
Beiti" ("Home Tiv") supplies
meals to institutions and for social events;
"Iruach Kafri" ("Rural Hospitality")
- comfortable apartments for weekday, Shabbat,
and holiday vacations; "Derech HaTamar"
("The Road of the Date") - guided
tours of the local area; "Collage"
and "Menno Designs" - stained
glass artwork; "Ayin Tovah" ("A
Good Eye") - artistic picture framing;
"The Pregnant Pen" - poems to
order for special occasions; "Tivtours"
travel agency; and a variety of holistic
therapies.
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WHO
LIVES HERE?
The
Kibbutz founders, today octogenarians
and nonagenarians, came to the Land
of Israel from central Europe (Poland,
Germany, and Romania) and were subsequently
joined during the following sixty-four
years by immigrants from England,
North America, groups of the Israel
B'nei Akiva Youth Organization ("Geulim",
"Nechalim", "Shachal",
"Yachdav", "Tsurim",
"Kissufim", "Nechusah"),
and individuals from all from all
over the world.
All Jewish ethnic groups are woven
into our demographic fabric.
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Current population numbers
approximately seven hundred persons, two hundred
and seventy of which are children, Youth Aliya
students, and temporary residents.
The last decade has seen the construction
and growth of "Atereth Zvi" - a
chronic care facility which provides full
support for incapacitated members.
EDUCATION
Soon after
the establishment of the State of Israel,
the children of Tirat Zvi began to attend
the Regional School of the Religious Kibbutz
Movement in the Beth Shean Valley.
The school provides twelve years of education,
full matriculation, and offers numerous
and varied tracks.
In 1977, the children of the children left
the communal children houses, to live in
their parents' homes. This, of course, necessitated
enlargement and modification of many homes.
A Youth Aliya group of thirty teenagers
dorm and receive their education in Tirat
Zvi. They complete high school matriculation,
work in the kibbutz, and benefit from an
active social environment.
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OUR
RELIGIOUS LIFE
The synagogue
was built in the thirtieth year of
the kibbutz and was expanded twenty
years ago. Traditional services are
held every day. Beautiful and inspirational
Shabbat and holiday services are led
by cantors and Torah readers of four
generations. Communal singing is characteristic
of kibbutz services.
With the break of dawn, members precede
work with the Shaharit service; at
noon there are Mincha services for
pupils returning from school and for
workers from the field, orchard, and
factory; a later Mincha service is
attended by members rising from their
siesta.
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The Maariv service is attended
by a large number of members who meet briefly
after the service to plan the following day,
and to meet friends.
Regular study groups and classes are conducted
for various age groups before and after Maariv
on weekdays; on Shabbat, members gather to
learn Torah and Talmud before the Shaharit
service and in the afternoon.
An additional Bet Midrash was recently outfitted
and is utilized for study by individuals and
study groups.
CULTURE
Members participate
in varied special interest groups, classes,
choirs, and athletic activities both in
the kibbutz and at the Regional Council.
A rich cultural program includes lectures,
hikes, "homemade" theatrical productions,
holiday programs, etc.
Approximately seventy members study in institutions
of higher education throughout the country.
Like all other kibbutzim in our region,
the settlement is surrounded by a security
fence. Many bomb shelters, long inactive,
dot the kibbutz.
What's worthwhile seeing in the kibbutz?
In
winter one must not miss the blooming of
the irises; the lush vegetation on the shores
of the Jordan River; myriad migrating water
fowl resting in the fish ponds; the scale
model of "HaTira"
- the kibbutz as it was in its initial years;
the "slik" - the cladestine weapons
cache of the pre-State days; and the rich
and complete archives.
If pre-arranged,
it pays to tour our sausage plant "Tirat
Zvi 2000" during work hours. There
are interesting innovations in the fish-farm
facilities, in the growing of field crops,
orchards, and turkey runs. The kibbutz dining
room, despite partial privatization, continues
to take pride in its renowned cuisine; the
gefilte fish, the spicy fish, the eggplant
salads, the chopped liver, and super soups
which have tickled the palate for sixty
years.
Tirat Zvi is famous for its warm
welcoming atmosphere. We hope you will enjoy
your visit.
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