Founded in 1944, Beit Keshet was the first of the Palmach settlements in the Land of Israel.  The founders were graduates of the nearby Kadouri agricultural school and had been members of the Mahanot Olim youth movement.

Beit Keshet is a small, completely privatized kibbutz whose members are both Israeli born and immigrants from Middle Eastern countries, Europe, North Africa and North and South America. 

Sons and daughters of Beit Keshet have made their homes in Beit Keshet. Several have just recently returned and we hope that more will choose to return.  We would also be happy to welcome new olim and returning Israelis.

Our community would like to share this very beautiful part of the Galilee with energetic, young families interested in joining us in redefining the kibbutz community in light of full privatization.  At present, there are about 200 people living in Beit Keshet.  The community is comprised of 130 members, 40 children, and other non-member residents (toshavim).

Beit Keshet was recently chosen as a pilot for a new community-based program for returning Israeli families and new immigrants (olim) sponsored by the Jewish Agency and WZO (Settlement Division).  It is very important for our community to grow and absorb as many as 150 new families in the coming years.  We are particularly interested in absorbing families with children.

New residents will live, temporarily, in 1 to 3 bedroom apartments with small living room, bathroom and kitchenette (in permanent kibbutz buildings).  During their first year in the community, new residents will receive assistance in finding employment and in arranging additional services (education, health, municipal, cultural).  A 2 bedroom apartment will cost $250 per month + regional and local taxes.  Costs for services, of course, depend on size of family.

Kibbutz Beit Keshet has land which has been allocated for building of new private houses with beautiful views.  We sincerely hope that, during their first year in Beit Keshet, new residents will choose to build their permanent, private homes here in Beit Keshet.

Branches of Beit Keshet

Beit Keshet's factory, SHEKEL Electronic Scales, is the leading electronic scale company in Israel. SHEKEL has been engaged in the development, production and marketing of electronic scale systems for domestic and foreign markets since 1977.  A second company, Shekeltronics, specializes in retail technologies for the P.O.S. market in Israel and for export. We also have field crops, chicken (for meat), beef cattle (in pasture), a dairy (which is now located at Ein Dor, a kibbutz nearby), a gas station, a radio station (Kol Rega), bed and breakfast rooms and apartments and children's day care.   A few jobs may be available within the kibbutz – depending upon the current needs of the community.

Community Life

The kibbutz dining room is now open for lunch only.  Holiday meals and Shabbat evenings are celebrated privately by families and extended families.  However, most holidays are also symbolically recognized by community gatherings which take place in or near the community club.

Adults and children participate in numerous extra-curricular activities.

We have a swimming pool which is open during the summer months.  There is also a playing court and there is playground equipment near the dining room.

A small store ('Kanyonit') is open daily and a Mobile post office arrives every morning.

There is a small library in Beit Keshet (with a larger, regional library 5 minutes away).

Demographics

Beit Keshet is largely a secular community.  We have a small synagogue and a liberal Orthodox rabbi who lives in the community with his family.  Some members of the community have enjoyed being invited to celebrate holidays together with the rabbi and his family.

Although Beit Keshet is a very small community, members come from diverse backgrounds.  There are young children and members in their eighties.  We realize that it is very important to revitalize our community.  Therefore we look forward to welcoming new families.  We are particularly interested in attracting young, dynamic, creative professionals who want to build their own houses and make their homes in naturally beautiful surroundings.

Work

In Beit Keshet, every family is expected to be economically independent.  These days, fewer and fewer people work within the community.  Most must find employment outside of the community.  This is not always easy, particularly for those who do not have a profession.  Professionals can find employment all around the north of the country and now, with Route 6 (a toll road connecting the north to the south of the country), it is even possible to commute to work in any part of the country.  As stated above, we will try to assist new residents in finding employment.  However, it is important to emphasize that the responsibility for financial independence rests on the individual family.

Climate

Beit Keshet is situated on a hill 180 meters above sea level, cradled by surrounding higher hills and Mt. Tabor to the south.  Annual rainfall is about 450mm. The climate is moderate, with a short, cold winter, an amazingly beautiful spring season and a dry summer with low humidity and afternoon breezes.

Recreation

The Lower Galilee regional council and nearby Kfar Tavor offer a  broad variety of organized recreation, sports, exercise, arts, and fun for adults and children of all ages.
Regional buses bring children to activities held outside Beit Keshet.
Once a week from 5 to 8 pm, there are activities for 1st – 12th grade organized by the Moshavim Movement. 
Children gifted in the arts can develop their skills at the music school in Kfar Tavor (5 minutes away), at the Tiberias conservatorium (20 minutes away), in Haifa (an hour away) and elsewhere.
There is an exercise gym in Kfar Tavor and there are country clubs in Afula, Tiberias and Nazerath Ilit.
Beit Keshet's swimming pool is open in the summer months.  Some families also swim in the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) or the Mediterranean Sea.
Horseback-riding options exist in Kfar Hittim, Mitspe, Vered Hagalil, Kadoori, and other places.
Walking or hiking can be enjoyed in our back yard (the pastures) or in other parts of the Lower Galilee. The Golan Heights and Upper Galilee are less than an hour's drive away.

Pets

Many families have dogs, cats, and other house pets.

Restaurants and Entertainment

Beit Keshet's dining room is kosher and prepared food can be purchased at special prices for Beit Keshet residents.  Many families prepare their meals at home. There are also many options (both kosher and non-kosher) for eating out.  There are several good restaurants in Kfar Tavor.  Tiberias is a major center for tourism, as is Zefat and many other nearby sites.
Throughout the year, community members can enjoy the most popular vacation spots in Israel.  Many web sites provide information about accommodations http://www.zimmeril.com/, restaurants http://www.dinnersite.co.il/north/index.htm and activities http://www.galil.gov.il/Home/home.asp (Hebrew).
There are over 25 cinemas and theaters within 15-30 minutes drive and season tickets to concerts or theater are relatively inexpensive.

For further information, please contact:

Zeev Elman
972-50-7580963
zeeve@shekelsc.co.il

Suki Lechner
972-4-6629298
suki@macam.ac.il

Shulamit Lifshitz
972-4-6629246
shul18@walla.com

Last Updated: April 20, 2006