The kibbutz Gan Shmuel
81 Birthday

Shmuel Mohilever (1824-1898)

The Gan Shmuel 81st Anniversary
 The Gan Shmuel Saga started many years ago - in 1895.

Gan Shmuel (hi)story began with the decision that was undertaken by a group of Zionists movement from Odessa, named “Hovvey Zion”. Those people decided to plant an Ethrog (citron)  orchard, as a 70th anniversary birthday present for their admired leader , Rabbi Shmuel Mohilever (1824-1898)  . “Hovvey Zion” supported foundations of Jewish settlements in Palestine, which at those times was ruled by the Turkish Ottomans. One of the settlements, founded in 1891, was Hadera. In 1895 the Hadera settlers planted a small orchard, which was named “Gan Shmuel” - the Shmuel's Garden, to commemorate the name of Rabbi Mohilever.

In 1913, a small group of pioneers decided to permanently live in the two-floors building. That building was the first house built and settled in Gan Shmuel. Most of those pioneers died from malaria. The few surviving people left the place and other pioneers arrived, to continue struggle with the cruel environment and diseases.
In 1921 the group has decided to establish a collective settlement, a kibbutz, in Gan Shmuel. In 1922 the first group of pioneers from all over Eastern Europe came to Gan Shmuel. A kibbutz community has been established.

In 2002 kibbutz Gan Shmuel celebrates its 81st Anniversary.

The first house built in Gan Shmuel, where lived the first pioneers (Halutzim)
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Photos taken at the evening party of
kibbutz Gan Shmuel 81 Anniversary

The "small" lady with a "big" video camera
Greeting the kibbutz by Jobeak (Yes! That's Me).

The "Sherale" dancing group and the vocal ensamble