Chaim Weizman chats with kibbutz kinder whilst visiting Kibbutz Mishmar HaEmek

 

A photographic exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of the founding of Hashomer Hatzair’s Kibbutz Artzi Federation was displayed in the Israeli Knesset earlier this year.

The exhibition proved so successful that the Yad Yaari Archives in Givat Haviva was asked to extend the viewing period of the black and white photographs depicting scenes of kibbutz folk physically, emotionally and industriously building their unique socialist, democratic, Zionist communities whilst also contributing toward building the State of Israel.

In fact the Yad Yaari exhibition adorned the walls of the corridors of political leadership in Jerusalem for twice as long as had been initially intended before returning to their natural habitat in Givat Haviva where they are now once more on display.

The tremendous collection of photographs, film, manuscripts, minutes of meetings from committee to general assembly and movement level; memorabilia of individual members and collections of same accumulated by kibbutz members who also made it from local community politics to become members of the Knesset – including some former Ministers amongst them – is as impressive as is diverse.

With the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Hashomer Hatzair movement on the horizon Givat Haviva will be hosting thousands of present and former members of the movement from both home and abroad on 20th September when the ‘HaShomer Forever’ (www.shomer.org.il) celebrations get underway.

‘Shomrim’ of present times and yesteryear will have the opportunity to view varied exhibitions in the galleries and museums on campus, peruse through the multitude of publications produced over the years and to chat with those who are these days responsible for maintaining the archives whilst on a constant search for more artifacts from the past to ensure the history of the movement remains vivid for future generations.

Yad Yaari, the research and documentation center of the Hashomer Hatzair movement and the Kibbutz Artzi Federation focuses on the history and current issues of the kibbutz movement, the youth movement and Israeli society.

Established 1937 the archives of Hashomer Hatzair were recognized by the State of Israel as public archives and apart from the aforementioned materials the archives also house the history of the Mapam and Meretz political parties and their predecessors.

Through its documentation, research, publications and public activities such as study days, Yad Yaari supports and works towards peace, social solidarity and social advancement against the background of the past.

So, come join in the celebrations of almost a century of movement activities and eight decades of the unique kibbutz experience at the Givat Haviva Hashomer Hatzair ‘HaShomer Forever’ greater family gathering on the 20th September – meet movement friends from the past and stroll down the Hashomer Hatzair memory lane.

 

 

By Lydia Aisenberg