Kibbutz Mishmar Hasharon- Basic Information

KIBBUTZ MISHMAR HASHRON was established in 1924 by a group of eight men and two women that came to Israel from Russia. At first, this group settled in the Galilee to gain experience in cooperative life in agricultural settlements. They later moved, looking for a place to establish their own settlement. In the meantime, another group of people from Poland joined them, and they founded Mishmar Hashron in 1933, in the Sharon Valley.

The Sharon Valley was deserted at that time, flooded with swamps and stricken by malaria. The new settlers dug channels and planted many eucalyptus trees in order to drain the swamps and expose the fertile land underneath, making it possible to cultivate and make a living. After years of struggle and hardship they managed to establish a flourishing kibbutz.

Mishmar Hashron now has approximately 400 inhabitants of which 200 are members, 120 are children and about 80 are temporary residents. This number includes members of the first generation of settlers, families that boast four generations of members currently on the Kibbutz. There is a constant stream of ulpan students that study Hebrew in our community.

The tradition of continuous ulpanim for more than thirty years became a permanent fixture of kibbutz life in Mishmar Hasharon.

The economic base of this community is divided into main branches.

1) Agriculture: including extensive citrus and subtropical groves, wheat, corn, cotton, sunflowers, and a variety of other crops.

2) Animal breeding - including fish ponds and turkey and chicken farms.

3) Merchandise and road services.

Large number of members work outside of the kibbutz at various jobs and their incomes are added to the kibbutz budget. A large service sector insures that the kibbutz is highly independent and includes kitchen and dining room, laundry, kindergarten, dental and medical clinics etc.

Last updated: June 29, 1999