Ma'ale Gilboa
Encyclopedia
Ma'ale Gilboa is a religious kibbutz
located on the summit of Mount Gilboa, on the northeast end of the ridge of the Samaria
n hills in Israel
. Located about 5 km west of Beit She'an, it falls under the jurisdiction of Beit She'an Valley Regional Council
, and in 1967 it was settled by members of the Religious Kibbutz Movement
. Ma'ale Gilboa is located just north of another religious kibbutz, Meirav
. As they are both religious kibbutzim, it was decided that, although they are located in the Gilboa mountains (and would naturally fall under the jurisdiction of Gilboa Regional Council
) it would be better to include them in Beit She'an Valley Regional Council, where there is a group of religious kibbutzim, including Ein HaNatziv
, Sde Eliyahu
, Shluhot
and Tirat Zvi
.
In 1997, after economic and social hardships, the kibbutz faced a crisis and was almost dissolved. Today the economy of the kibbutz is thriving; the kibbutz has managed to repay its debts and has recorded a profit. As with most kibbutzim in Israel today, Ma'ale Gilboa is in the process of privatization
. Some aspects of the socialist kibbutz structure are disappearing, and individual services for members of the kibbutz are translated into their economic value. As a result, the kibbutz is not only enjoying economic prosperity but is growing demographically as well. In 2007-2008 major construction is under way to build more housing units for families interested in joining the community.
Today the kibbutz is home to about 80 families (only 1/3 of which are kibbutz members) and more than 400 people. The main sources of livelihood are agricultural: growing carrots, dairy farming, and raising turkeys for meat. Most of the members and residents of the community work off the kibbutz.
, which, following the closure of Yeshivat Ein Tzurim is currently the only functioning Yeshivat Shiluv, which combine two years of Torah study
with three years of army service. This is in contrast to Hesder
Yeshivot, which combine a year and a half of army with three and a half years of Torah study.
Kibbutz
A kibbutz is a collective community in Israel that was traditionally based on agriculture. Today, farming has been partly supplanted by other economic branches, including industrial plants and high-tech enterprises. Kibbutzim began as utopian communities, a combination of socialism and Zionism...
located on the summit of Mount Gilboa, on the northeast end of the ridge of the Samaria
Samaria
Samaria, or the Shomron is a term used for a mountainous region roughly corresponding to the northern part of the West Bank.- Etymology :...
n hills in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. Located about 5 km west of Beit She'an, it falls under the jurisdiction of Beit She'an Valley Regional Council
History
The kibbutz was founded in 1962 as a Nahal settlementNahal settlement
Nahal settlements were settlements established by Nahal soldiers in Israel and Israeli-occupied territories. Supporting Jewish settlement growth and expansion throughout Israel was once the main focus of the Nahal military brigade. The goal for every Nahal settlement was to become a civilian...
, and in 1967 it was settled by members of the Religious Kibbutz Movement
Religious Kibbutz Movement
The Religious Kibbutz Movement is an organizational framework for Orthodox kibbutzim in Israel. Its membership includes 19 communities, 16 of them traditional kibbutzim, and two others in the category of moshav shitufi , meaning that they have no communal dining hall or children's house but...
. Ma'ale Gilboa is located just north of another religious kibbutz, Meirav
Meirav
Meirav or Merav is a religious kibbutz located on the downward slopes of Mount Gilboa in Israel. Located about ten kilometres southwest of Beit She'an and less than 500 metres from the Green Line, it falls under the jurisdiction of Valley of Springs Regional Council , known until 2008 as the Beit...
. As they are both religious kibbutzim, it was decided that, although they are located in the Gilboa mountains (and would naturally fall under the jurisdiction of Gilboa Regional Council
Gilboa Regional Council
Gilboa Regional Council is a regional council in northern Israel, located on the slopes of the Gilboa mountain range. There are more than 22,000 residents in 38 settlements as of 2007...
) it would be better to include them in Beit She'an Valley Regional Council, where there is a group of religious kibbutzim, including Ein HaNatziv
Ein HaNatziv
Ein HaNatziv is a kibbutz in the Bet She'an Valley in Israel. Located about three kilometers south of the ancient city of Beit She'an, it is 130 meters below sea level. The kibbutz, a member of the Religious Kibbutz Movement, has a population of 700...
, Sde Eliyahu
Sde Eliyahu
Sde Eliyahu is a religious kibbutz in northern Israel. Located 5 km south of Beit She'an, it falls under the jurisdiction of Valley of Springs Regional Council.-History:...
, Shluhot
Shluhot
Shluhot is an Orthodox kibbutz in the Beit She'an Valley in northern Israel. Located about three kilometres south of the city of Beit She'an, it falls under the jurisdiction of Valley of Springs Regional Council.- History :...
and Tirat Zvi
Tirat Zvi
Tirat Zvi is a religious kibbutz in the Beit She'an Valley, ten kilometers south of the city of Beit She'an, Israel, just west of the Jordan River and the Israel-Jordan border. It falls under the jurisdiction of Valley of Springs Regional Council. In 2006, the kibbutz had a population of...
.
In 1997, after economic and social hardships, the kibbutz faced a crisis and was almost dissolved. Today the economy of the kibbutz is thriving; the kibbutz has managed to repay its debts and has recorded a profit. As with most kibbutzim in Israel today, Ma'ale Gilboa is in the process of privatization
Privatization
Privatization is the incidence or process of transferring ownership of a business, enterprise, agency or public service from the public sector to the private sector or to private non-profit organizations...
. Some aspects of the socialist kibbutz structure are disappearing, and individual services for members of the kibbutz are translated into their economic value. As a result, the kibbutz is not only enjoying economic prosperity but is growing demographically as well. In 2007-2008 major construction is under way to build more housing units for families interested in joining the community.
Today the kibbutz is home to about 80 families (only 1/3 of which are kibbutz members) and more than 400 people. The main sources of livelihood are agricultural: growing carrots, dairy farming, and raising turkeys for meat. Most of the members and residents of the community work off the kibbutz.
Education
Notably, the kibbutz houses Yeshivat Ma'ale GilboaYeshivat Ma'ale Gilboa
Yeshivat Ma'ale Gilboa is a Shiluv Yeshiva located on Kibbutz Ma'ale Gilboa in Israel's Gilboa Mountains. The Shiluv Yeshiva is unique in that it combines two years of Torah study with the full three years of army service. This is in contrast to students from Hesder Yeshivot, which only serve in...
, which, following the closure of Yeshivat Ein Tzurim is currently the only functioning Yeshivat Shiluv, which combine two years of Torah study
Torah study
Torah study is the study by Jewish people of the Torah, Hebrew Bible, Talmud, responsa, rabbinic literature and similar works, all of which are Judaism's religious texts...
with three years of army service. This is in contrast to Hesder
Hesder
Hesder is an Israeli yeshiva program which combines advanced Talmudic studies with military service in the Israel Defense Forces, usually within a Religious Zionist framework...
Yeshivot, which combine a year and a half of army with three and a half years of Torah study.