Gal On - Kibbutz Hashomer Hatzair

Gal On is located on the borders of the coastal plain and in
proximity to the Hebron hills. It was established on October 6th, 1946, the
afternoon of Yom Kippur, on Jewish National Fund land, with funding by
the Keren Hayesod. It was founded along with 10 other settlements
settled that day in the south and the Negev.

The name Gal On symbolizes the spirit of the settlers who found the
strength and courage to settle in a dangerous area. In the 1948 War of
Independence the kibbutz served as a base for the Israeli Defense
Forces in preparation for their conquest of the nearby Arab town - Bet
Guvrin.

Gal On stands on a hill 200 meters above sea level (about 20 kms. from
the coast) and is one of the communities of the 'Yoav' Regional
Council. The hill upon which Gal On is located borders on the Guvrin
stream, an auxiliary of Wadi Lachish. As the area belongs to the
Mediterranean climate, the rainfall is average. Due to it being
distanced from the coast and situated on a height, humidity is low and
dew meager.

The annals of the founders of the kibbutz began in the Hashomer Hatzair
Zionist Youth Movement in Poland. The first founders (a group of 9)
arrived in the Land of Israel in January 1939. These nine people formed
the basis of the last Hashomer kibbutz which succeeded in leaving
Poland before the Second World War. The first gathering place of the
group was in Kibbutz Ein Hamifratz, in the Haifa area. When the group
grew to number 30, they transferred to 'Givat Michael' in Nes Ziona,
which, at that time, was an undeveloped town. In Nes Ziona they worked
in the neighboring orchards and in road-building. Their economic
circumstances were very dire. However, on Yom Kippur 1946, the group
settled on the land as one of the 11 settlements which were established
in the Negev.

An additional source of manpower was added to the kibbutz with the
arrival of a group of Holocaust survivors who reached the country
aboard the illegal immigrant ship 'Exodus-1947'. In 1951, there arrived
of a group of members from the Hashomer Hatzair movement in North
America. With all the difficulties faced by the American group, today,
after 60 years, they comprise part of the 'veterans' of the kibbutz.

In 1961, the kibbutz absorbed a group of Israelis, also members of
Hashomer Hatzair, who linked up with the first children born on the
kibbutz. In the course of time the kibbutz also absorbed a small group
of members of Mapam from Uruguay.

The first children of the kibbutz were born in Nes Ziona. Many of the
kibbutz children built their homes in Gal On, but even more are spread
throughout Israel and the world. The kibbutz, as well, educated Youth
Aliyah groups, new immigrants and native-born, who obtained an
education and studies on the kibbutz.

In the year 2000, the kibbutz found itself in a poor economic and
demographic condition. Accordingly, the kibbutz sought out changes in
its way of life. It was decided by a vast majority of the chaverim to
adopt a new form of operating - a 'security net'. The changes
stabilized the economic situation, but did not alter the demographic
problem. Kibbutz children still do not join the kibbutz as members,
but, as of late, many of them have begun to return to live on the
kibbutz as residents.

For many years the economic situation of the kibbutz was difficult,
despite the fact that it had available large tracts of land, though not
all of it could be cultivated due to a critical lack of water. Gal On
there had a well which supplied only 60,000 cubic meters of water a
year - used mainly for drinking water and daily needs. Only when the
'National Waterline' was completed was it possible to expand the
cultivated areas.

In the first days of the kibbutz a tool factory was established, which
at that time was the fist factory in the country producing steel tools
by modern methods. After a number of years it was shut down. A box
factory was also set up, but it too was closed. After much searching a
fan factory was found in Ramleh which was up for sale. For many years
this factory played an important role in the kibbutz economy, until
China began inundating the market with cheap fans. The factory changed
over to producing electrical motors, but it too succumbed to China and
closed down.

Today, the kibbutz lives mainly on agriculture and the salaries of
members working outside the kibbutz. There is now a separation between
the 'economic branches' and the 'community': the 'economy' is run by an
'economic manager' and the 'community' by an executive committee headed
by the 'community manager'. There is also a hired chairman who advises
the kibbutz, mainly on economic matters.

These days, on the eve of Rosh Hashanah 5767, the kibbutz is preparing
to celebrate its 60th anniversary, in the hope that the changes have
brought with them and will bring with them a growth in population,
which will expand the settlement, and that the young people will strike
roots in the kibbutz.

(In the archives of the kibbutz there is much material and people are invited to visit.)

Cipora Hurwitz