Eilon (Hebrew: אֵילוֹן) is a kibbutz in northern Israel. Located a mile south of the Lebanese border and six miles east of the Mediterranean coast, the kibbutz is situated in the Western Galilee on a ridge between two streams, Nahal Betzet and Nahal Kziv. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Mateh Asher Regional Council. As of 2022 it had a population of 1,111.[1].
Eilon | |
|---|---|
| Hebrew transcription(s) | |
| • official | Elon |
 | |
  Eilon  Eilon | |
| Coordinates: 33°3′49″N 35°13′14″E / 33.06361°N 35.22056°E | |
| Country |  Israel |
| District | Northern |
| Council | Mateh Asher |
| Affiliation | Kibbutz Movement |
| Founded | 1938 |
| Founded by | Polish Jews |
| Population (2022)[1] | 1,111 |
Etymology edit
The name "Eilon" is derived from the Hebrew words Elah (pistachio) and Alon (oak), two tree species abundant in this heavily forested area of northern Israel, though specifically referred to the "remnants of ancient trees in the vicinity."[2] The Polish-Jewish immigrants cleared the forest and planted orchards for edible crops that would grow on a rocky hillside, to feed the small population .[3]
History edit
The kibbutz, situated a short distance from the Lebanese border, was established in 1938 on 400 dunams of land in Khirbet Samak, which had been purchased by the Jewish National Fund.[4] It was settled that year by a group of Polish immigrants and Palestinian Jews.[2] The inhabitants found themselves under constant fire in the wake of the 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine.[2] Eilon was one of the early tower and stockade settlements.
By 1947 the kibbutz had a population of 350, successfully reclaiming rocky land that had been designated by the British Mandatory government as uncultivable. The kibbutz was initially affiliated with Hashomer Hatzair.[2] Calm was achieved after the Galilee was cleared of Lebanese troops and Kaukji's bands in November 1948. When the Israeli forces, having just occupied the town of Tarshiha appeared coming up the path the inhabitants defending the kibbutz could hardly believe their good fortune.[5]
Climate edit
| Climate data for Eilon (1991–2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 28.0 (82.4) |
30.2 (86.4) |
36.7 (98.1) |
39.9 (103.8) |
40.6 (105.1) |
41.5 (106.7) |
40.1 (104.2) |
40.1 (104.2) |
40.3 (104.5) |
39.8 (103.6) |
34.6 (94.3) |
30.5 (86.9) |
41.5 (106.7) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 16.4 (61.5) |
17.3 (63.1) |
20.0 (68.0) |
23.7 (74.7) |
27.1 (80.8) |
29.2 (84.6) |
30.7 (87.3) |
31.3 (88.3) |
30.4 (86.7) |
28.2 (82.8) |
23.4 (74.1) |
18.6 (65.5) |
24.7 (76.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 12.5 (54.5) |
13.1 (55.6) |
15.4 (59.7) |
18.5 (65.3) |
21.8 (71.2) |
24.1 (75.4) |
25.9 (78.6) |
26.5 (79.7) |
25.5 (77.9) |
23.3 (73.9) |
18.9 (66.0) |
14.6 (58.3) |
20.0 (68.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 8.6 (47.5) |
8.8 (47.8) |
10.7 (51.3) |
13.2 (55.8) |
16.4 (61.5) |
18.9 (66.0) |
21.0 (69.8) |
21.7 (71.1) |
20.6 (69.1) |
18.4 (65.1) |
14.4 (57.9) |
10.6 (51.1) |
15.3 (59.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 0.0 (32.0) |
−1.8 (28.8) |
2.4 (36.3) |
2.7 (36.9) |
9.7 (49.5) |
12.8 (55.0) |
17.2 (63.0) |
17.8 (64.0) |
15.5 (59.9) |
10.4 (50.7) |
5.3 (41.5) |
1.5 (34.7) |
−1.8 (28.8) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 216.9 (8.54) |
147.7 (5.81) |
84.7 (3.33) |
38.8 (1.53) |
13.5 (0.53) |
3.4 (0.13) |
0.4 (0.02) |
0.0 (0.0) |
5.5 (0.22) |
33.5 (1.32) |
99.4 (3.91) |
171.9 (6.77) |
815.7 (32.11) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 12.3 | 10.1 | 7.2 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 3.6 | 6.0 | 10.3 | 56.1 |
| Source: NOAA[6] | |||||||||||||
Economy edit
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Eilon derives its income from agriculture: bananas, avocado, chicken coop, Dairy farming. Beekeeping.
Eshet Eilon is a privately-owned production plant which manufactures agri-industrial systems to sort vegetables and fruit.
There are a few small workshops in Eilon, among them: Eilon Mosaic which manufactures decorative mosaic; A recording studio, A studio of traditional Japanese carpentry, and a studio for building Mizrahi (oriental) musical instruments.
A tourist resort is also located in the kibbutz.
Keshet Eilon is a world-renowned violin music center, known mainly for the master course that takes place annually, under the musical directorship of Itzhak Rashkovsky. Some fifty young violinists from around the world spend each summer receiving extensive violin instruction and performing concerts.
Volunteers edit
Between the years 1967-2000 Eilon used to accept a number of International Volunteers that in return for lodgings, meals and laundry, worked in a variety of locations on the kibbutz. One of the highlights of being a volunteer used to be the Vollies (Volunteers) Bar, which was situated close to the volunteers quarters.
References edit
- ^ a b "Regional Statistics". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d Jewish National Fund (1949). Jewish Villages in Israel. Jerusalem: Hamadpis Liphshitz Press. p. 33.
- ^ M Gilbert (1998) Israel: A History, p91
- ^ More Derech trip report
- ^ Gilbert, p237
- ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Eilon". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 10, 2024.