Matzuva's 75th Birthday this month, New Year for Trees, Pastures of Plenty and Agricultural Woes… looks forward but also remembers it's past!! ------

T January 2015 - The winding road going down to the northern road past the gate on the perimeter road leads to the Matzuva cemetery, chicken runs and Matzuva Agriculture up to the barrier gate at the northern road that runs from Rosh Hanikra eastwards to the Upper Panhandle. Once again a walk down to the cemetery to lay yet another Matzuva veteran to eternal rest.

Shmuel was born on 23.6.1921 in Germany a son to a proselyte family. He will be remembered by numerous volunteer guests and Ulpan students who worked with him in the avocado and citrus groves at Matzuva. He came to the then Mandatory Palestine in 1938 within the Youth Aliya scheme for displaced children. When he finally left Matzuva with his daughter Penina in 2010 he told of his life at a farewell evening in the Moadon. On arrival in the country he was sent to Ginegar but went on later to Matzuva. He was initially not accepted as a kibbutz member and consequently joined the British army. As he had experience as a tractorist he worked on heavy vehicles. During his service Shmuel managed to visit all the neighboring countries – Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iran and later Cyprus. His service included the Jewish Brigade in the British army. After the war Shmuel returned to Matzuva and was accepted as a member. Later he said that he wasn''t accepted at first because they thought he was a little crazy character. At Matzuva Shmuel met and married Shoshana (a Holocaust survivor from Auschwitz) and had three children Itamar, Dudi and Penina. Shortly after his return he was arrested by the British on the infamous "Black Saturday" and was interned at Akko ז"ל Shmuel Nesher 23.6.1921-21.1.2015 jail and later to Latrun jail along with leading members of the Jewish community including Moshe Sharet who became the first foreign minister of the State of .

During Israel's War of Independence while Matzuva was isolated he was active in bringing food from Nahariya. He also served in the civil defense corps for many years. He was one of the first drivers of the Western Galilee Transport Cooperative until he came home to manage the avocado groves. He developed and improved the groves and set up "Shmuel Nesher's Hut" for the team of workers. In his spare time he painted in a studio he received from the kibbutz. Around his home he had a beautiful garden. But above all Shmuel was a family man who loved his wife and tended to her needs during her prolonged illness. As mentioned earlier in 2010 at an advanced aged he elected to be with his daughter's family. We will remember Shmuel as a modest person, a worker and artist. May his dear soul rest in everlasting peace.

The Local Committee- This committee is responsible for the running of the entire community. Their discussions are now dealing with the educational activities held during 2014 and preparing the budget for 2015. They will hold discussions with the various sub-committees and hear their reports and requests for the year. Meanwhile, there is to be upgrading and renovation work of the playgrounds meeting required standards. The tennis court is also to be renovated and the tennis class will have to meanwhile use the basketball court.

A Moadon (Clubhouse) agreement has been reached with the Kibbutz Committee regarding the usage of the moadon and will be managed by the municipal committee. Private functions will take place throughout the week but will be regulated not to disturb the peace of resident living in the vicinity.

Agricultural Woes – 2015 brought with it a drastic change in the weather and this manifested itself in violent storms and welcome rain that on certain days we witnessed downpours that included sleet and hail. Edna Nathans the editor of the Matzuva newsletter interviewed Johnny Adjemi the manager of Matzuva Agriculture and enquired about any damage that had be made to the various fruit trees. Johnny as always was willing to put everyone into the picture. The interview was published in the last edition of the newsletter.

"You Plan and sometimes, He who is above laughs……" (Matzuva Agriculture after the Storm)

Edna: What's new with our agriculture? – What's happening?.

Johhny: Due to the storm and the cold we had a lot of our fruit farm was damaged. We underwent low temperatures last year but this time the cold was very very strong – impregnating and flowing that affected nearly all our crops Bananas – The damage was particularly hard as only a third of the fruit had been harvested until now. This year the 'mother' and sprouting plants were the hardest hit but the bunches were not affected. Today, the banana plantation after this cold spell looks as if it has burnt. The fruit remaining on the trees will have to be harvested within the next 3 months and we hope the fruit will survive the weather that is still wintry and the expected 'hamsin' winds in April and May. We were on the threshold of receiving very good prices and it is now impossible to reach this potential. Already in 2013 the cold weather ruined vast areas of fruit throughout Western Galilee. We were obliged to renew fields based on early planning by replacing the damaged crops with new saplings. Intensive planting was performed in order that in March-April 2015 we could market this fruit at an anticipated good price. We are now estimating the extent of the damage and will receive basic reparation from the 'KANAT' Insurance Fund for Risks in Agriculture Avocado – The fruit was damaged and we are now engaged in a saving harvesting but not at full- steam. Neighboring villages have been hit a lot harder. We have very good prices for the close on 700 ton picked. We look forward to improved sales in the next three months. Litchi – the foliage is damaged and we hope to have fruit next year. Mango – This fruit was also 'burnt' being a very sensitive fruit. Pomegranates and persimmon are suitable for the Israeli winter and are doing well. Besides the above this year we planted cauliflower that has been hard hit. It was really very good as it is usually a strong plant and we have begun harvesting it but all vegetable prices run high and low from day to day. Unmarketable cauliflowers were distributed free to Matzuva residents last week.

"Anyway", says Johnny, "there's always good with the bad!"

Genesis 41:53 the "seven years of plenty" followed by the "seven years of famine" Well Matzuva has enjoyed a decade+ of plenty in agriculture and we hope the years of famine will not be visited upon Matzuva and Israel.

The 50+ Cultural and Social Committee – This committee was formed in order to address the cultural and social needs of this age group that is no longer young and does not exactly fit in to the senior member's activities that are usually of a static nature. Unfortunately, as mentioned the senior group is dwindling in numbers and the over fifties need an outlet suited to their ages that run up to 75+. The 50+ committee members are Ingrid Ben-Shabbat, Orna Zeira, Ilana Chen, Max Nathans, Mirale Levi, Eli Freidman and Tamar Reuven. During the last year there have been 6 field trips, 3 lectures, New Year Party, Pesach pre-Seder night The field trips were a great success with only one being cancelled due to bad weather. A full busload of members participated in each trip and some who registered late missed out on some of the trips. Usually, a set menu lunch was served at a restaurant on the way. There plans afoot to hold an early seder event for this age group providing a person is prepared to arrange it. Furthermore, an idea is being aired of holding an evening beach party in the spring/early summer. Apparently, there is a preference to participate in activities organized by 50+ and this may have to some extent ramifications on the general community cultural activities. Obviously not every activity is suitable for all age groups together (Dr. Sharon Bial, sociologist). A feedback questionnaire is being prepared. All credit to the team of volunteers!

Worth knowing that here something was created out of nothing! (interview with Nitzan Reuven, firstborn at Matzuva, about the project to erect a reconstruction site of Matzuva way back in 1940)

Edna: Everyone here knows Nitzan, veteran members and newcomers, adults and kids – on a tractor or on a battery-driven buggy. He smiles and is down to earth telling a story connected to the kibbutz. To kindergarten toddlers he always asks "Do you want that I work with you in the kindergarten? – that's Nitzan! During the last few months he's been running around with a new sparkle in his eyes! He has a dream of a new project underway – he talks of it and enlists anyone who is able and willing to assist in it's realization! I invited Nitzan to talk about his project to readers of the kibbutz newsletter "Aleh Giv'a" and he willingly consented /Edna Nathans (editor of "Aleh Giv'a").

Nitzan: The subject of preserving everything that was created here has been on my mind and over the years I've rescued items such a wagons, ploughs, agricultural implements and have collected them up and preserved them. There wasn't any visible interest to preserve old items and only when I was on leave from the army did I begin to pick up items lying around the kibbutz. Some items had completely disappeared and what I did find I succeeded in saving. Today, one can see in the garden outside our house various items now restored that I had found rusting and left to rot. I don't see them as my personal collection – I see them as being the property of everyone! If I didn't preserve these items then they would surely be lost forever.

Regarding the project – we the second generation of Matzuva are also getting on in years and not getting any younger and the veteran members of Matzuva are now just a handful. I thought a lot about the idea how to present the story of establishing Kibbutz Matzuva to future generations and those joining Matzuva who didn't know how and who established it in 1940. I searched for a suitable site to reconstruct Matzuva 1940 and found a little hillock close to the main entrance to the kibbutz. I enlisted Ezra Segali a creative son of Matzuva with a strong connection to the place and to the earth. I spoke with the Kibbutz Committee and to the kibbutz administrator as well as Itzik Ben-David a resident of Matzuva who is an architect by profession. Itzik was and remains a strong supporter of the project and gave me a lot of advice how to go about things. We set up a project committee that is composed of Shai Tzalel, Boaz Ben-Shachar, Yaeli Nathans, Itzik, Ezra and yours truly. At the time of writing finance is not available. We are presently working on a brochure that we hope will be presented to potential donors. The brochure will relate the story of Matzuva and the project to be realized. Meanwhile an approach has been made to the Jewish National Fund for support and I have approached the Director of the Mateh Asher Regional Council and a certain amount has been allocated to cover necessary surveying and permits required. We haven't as yet decided finally how to name the project and a number of suggestions have been aired. We still need volunteers who wish to help in finding the necessary funds and assistance for this project.

Edna: How do you feel about the activity generated around your dream?

Nitzan: Only good things! It excites me and is emotional – I feel I'm working for something really important especially for future generations and those who have joined on who aren't acquainted with the history of this community. It's important that the deeds of our parents who built and established this kibbutz from nothing will be told and remembered. It is hard to imagine the difficulties and conditions they faced in the beginning!

Edna: Indeed not everyone succeeded in overcoming the hardships! - Now you will feel how it is to confront the "Mini Matzuva" on a small scale?! When the project is realized how do you see it working?

Nitzan: According to the program there are to be benches and pathways with people moving around and sitting to hear about the place. There will be a person needed who will take upon himself/herself to preserve and nurture it…I don't rule out that maybe the possibility that I will do it. Edna: I diverse a little from the subject and ask Nitzan "You are a sort of figure…as the firstborn of Matzuva. In the kindergartens the kids are told about the community and farm and always mention you as the firstborn – they are shown your picture – how do you feel about that? Nitzan: I'm not a person who likes publicity but if asked I am always willing to come and relate. I love to speak to children! Finally, It's important for me that the generation that did not know that Matzuva was created from nothing will know that peoples struggled in founding this beautiful place whilst contending with many difficulties. We who were born here grew up with these stories and experienced the changing reality. It's important that the Matzuva story is told and remembered by the future generations!

Kibbutz Matzuva – Early Days

New Project at Matzuva – We need your help!! "A Miniature Matzuva" …but not exactly Madurodam!

This new project called "Aliya to Matzuva" is the brainchild of Nitzan Reuven. The location is the little hillock to the north of the new circle immediately past the main gate into the kibbutz. The target date is the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of Matzuva in 1940. The project has been designed by architect Itzik Ben-David, a resident of Matzuva, along with the input of kibbutznik Ezra Segali and the Matzuva Trustee Noam Netzer.

The idea is to include replica items such as the security wall around the new settlement, a watch tower, the first bell tents and hut of the fledgling kibbutz including basic agricultural implements of that period. We will publish a more detailed map of the project in the coming updates.

"ALIYA TO MATZUVA" PROJECT

North ↑ To Shlomi

PROJECT

PERIMETER ← SITE

FENCE →

MAIN ROAD INTO KIBBUTZ MATZUVA MAIN GATE *to the south → of the road the community neighborhood NEW ↑ TRAFFIC CIRCLE

Background: Way back in February 1940 the first settlers left the "Tower and Stockade" Camp at Lower and crossed the northern border road and began to climb up a hill on the southern side of the northern road and in doing so established Kibbutz Matzuva. This was at that particular time a daring and significant step that determined that the area north of Akko would become in 1948 an integral part of the fledgling State of Israel. This became the Western Galilee region right up to the border with Lebanon ratified by the Rhodes Armistice Pact of 1949. The Matzuva land had been purchased from wealthy Arabs in Beirut and was one of the few Jewish communities north of Akko in the Biblical area of the Tribe of Asher (one of the 12 tribes of Israel).

Conditions were frugal and tough with no water within reach and these young adult pioneers lived in tents with a single shack that served as a dining room and communal center. The initial diet was made up of carobs and olives with water being brought by road from Nahariya. In this sparse environment the first child of Matzuva was born. He was named Nitzan and was the pride of his parents the Reuven Family and the small community. Sadly, Nitzan's father was killed near Akko while on a mission for the Hagana resistance in 1943. At this time Palestine was then under the British Mandate while across the border nearby was the French mandate over Lebanon that during the WW2 was under Vichy control.

Today, Nitzan is in his mid 70's but still working as a motor mechanic for Matzuva Agriculture. He is married to Tamar who is also a daughter of founder members. I spoke with Nitzan recently (who is a neighbor of ours) about his aspirations as a proud grandfather. He told me of his dream to ensure that the early days of Matzuva be somehow remembered not solely in words but also in a tangible way for present and future persons of the wider Matzuva Family. I asked Nitzan what idea he had in mind!

He said that we would love to establish a "Miniature Matzuva" depicting physically how Matzuva became a reality in 1940. He subsequently spoke with Noam Netzer the kibbutz trustee who embraced the idea. Nitzan identified a little hillock not far from the main entrance to Matzuva with the kibbutz to the north and the community neighborhoods to the south. At this site a retro of Kibbutz Matzuva 1940 is to be erected as a visitor's center attracting visitors to the Western Galilee as well as the hundreds and hundreds of volunteer guests and Ulpan alumni who we hope will make a nostalgic visit to Matzuva and Israel to meet residents and take a walk down Memory Lane.

We need your assistance and generosity to turn Nitzan's dream into a reality that will bring back in most cases pleasant memories of younger days including the kibbutz experience of work, study and camaraderie bringing together young adults from numerous countries and backgrounds.

The project has been recognized and approved by the Mateh Asher Regional Council and the plans have now been submitted for approval. The cost of the project is not finalized at this stage but we will keep you informed when known.

Once again I recommend readers to visit Max's Photo Album on this website for a pictorial view of life at Matzuva through his excellent and original quality photos and videos. Enjoy! Baruch

MATZUVA AGRICULTURE Growing with Love

Until the next update – keep well and be in contact.

Best wishes to all our readers Baruch - Matzuva, February 5, 2015

M A T Z U V A ’’S 7 5 t h Y E A R 105 YEARS OF THE