Beit Hashita, meaning "the home of the Acacia tree", is located at the foot of the Gilboa Mountain in the eastern Jezreel Valley. The Book of Judges recounts how Gideon tested the loyalty of his fighters by bringing them to the Ma'ayan Harod Springs at the base of the Gilboa. There he chose 300 warriors, and with this army, defeated the Midianites. "They blew the 300 trumpets... and the army fled as far as Beit Hashita". (Judges VI:22)
Kibbutz Beit Hashita was founded by Members of a pioneering youth movement in 1928, twenty years before the establishment of the State of Israel. The collective spirit of such early pioneers resulted in the rapid development of an intensive agricultural sector in Israel, and so Beit Hashita got its start. In fact, Kibbutz youth and adults alike have consistently come together over the years to work for the common good in kibbutz endeavors.
For half-a-century, Beit Hashita has proven to be a
dynamic communal society, constantly developing along with the
State itself. Faced with circumstances that demanded simultaneous
defense and development of the land, the people of Beit Hashita
worked with the intuition and determination necessary to turn a
barren land into the finest Agriculture
in the Jezreel Valley. Today's Beit Hashita is a strong
agricultural/industrial based community that can quickly adapt in
order to meet the challenges of modern times.
Even before the foundation of the State, planning began to develop a strong industrial sector that would both utilize and meet the needs of Israel's ever-growing agricultural infrastructure. Beit Hashita's first effort in this area was to meet the requirements of the Israeli farmer and his constantly changing needs. Thus, the BHC Mfg. Company was founded to manufacture new farm implements that would meet the specific demands of the local farmer. The second factory established was to process agricultural produce grown locally on the Kibbutz and in the region. Today, one can buy the delicious pickled products of the Gilboa-Beit Hashita Olives factory all over the world!
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Today, the population of the kibbutz is over 1300 people, including 600 members, 400 children, and a varying number of volunteer workers, residents, new immigrants and participants in long-term youth Programs.
Work plays a central role in the life of all kibbutzim. The members of Beit Hashita work in a wide variety of occupations, including doctors, engineers, administrators, skilled craftsmen and agronomy. Many service oriented work branches provide the kibbutz a degree of a self-sufficiency, and a number of kibbutz based Cottage Industries allow more uniquely talented members to work in a wide range of specialized fields.
And of course, Beit Hashita has its own Israeli politicians in the KNESSET!
The dynamic child-care system developed on Israeli kibbutzim is recognized world wide, in fact, Beit Hashita'a child-care program accepts many children from surrounding communities, allowing them to benefit from the kibbutz system as well.
The continuing education of adult members of Beit Hashita has always been a fundamental part of kibbutz life. University study, adult education and enrichment courses, and specialized lectures and seminars are open to all members of the community. In recent years, a university education has become a standard "next step" for post army young adults on the kibbutz.
All members of Beit Hashita are covered by fully comprehensive health and dental care. Equally as important is the fact that members are ensured an active, productive life as they grow older. Even after retirement age, members continue to work, transferring their energies to specially devised projects that offer fulfilling work to those in their "golden years".
In 1985, Beit Hashita began reaching out to the Jewish youth of North America with the Beit Hashita American Class program. The American Class allows tenth and eleventh graders from the United States and Canada to work, study and live within the unique community of Beit Hashita, for one academic year. American class members study each day at the regional kibbutz high school, along with young people from surrounding kibbutzim and other settlements. In the evening, they join their adopted families at home and take part in organized class or school activities.
Beit Hashita, today, is a fully integrated society that has successfully combined agriculture and industry in a communal environment, building a healthy foundation for community life. The kibbutz is able to offer this unique experience to those who desire to live in a low pressured, community oriented environment, and provides a serene natural atmosphere to individuals or groups that want to use the kibbutz and "NOF HASHITA" as a base for Tourism on their visit to the "Land of the Bible".
Please send your comments, suggestions or inquiries to our e-mail address: info@bethashita.org.il
This page is maintained by Joe Rein .