Degania – Israel’s First KibbutzLocated on the southern shores of Lake Kinneret, Degania was the fir
Degania – Israel’s First KibbutzLocated on the southern shores of Lake Kinneret, Degania was the first kibbutz established in the Land of Israel. Known as the “Mother of the Kibbutzim,” Degania was founded in 1910 by a small group of Russian pioneers on land they acquired from the Jewish National Fund. In 1920, pioneers from the Third Aliyah arrived and established another kibbutz adjacent to Degania, Degania Bet (subsequently transforming Degania into Degania Alef as per the sequence of the Hebrew alphabet). During the Israeli War of Independence, the few and ill equipped members of Degania Alef and Bet repelled the Syrian Army’s assault. Although most of the kibbutz was destroyed by the Syrian shelling, the stalwart defense successfully halted the Syrian advance. Degania Alef is home to many notable Israelis. Moshe Dayan was the second child to be born on Degania, named after Moshe Barsky, a founding member of Degania who was murdered by Arab attackers. A.D. Gordon, Arthur Rupin and Rachel the Poetess all settled in Degania, and Joseph Trumpeldor worked in the kibbutz before taking off to Tel Hai. Levi Eshkol, Israel’s third prime minister, also settled in Degania Bet.Kibbutz DeganiaMy Nation Lives עמי-חי -- source link