Kvutzat Shiller (Shiller Group) – Officially, this pastoral kibbutz south of Rehovot is called Kibbutz Gan Shlomo after Shlomo Shiller. In practice, the kibbutz goes by the name Kvutzat Shiller, or simply Shiller by the locals. The government naming committee opposed the foreign name given to the group by the founders, and determined a more “Israeli” name – Shlomo. So they opposed it? The founders of Shiller stuck to their truth and decided the name of the group would be Kvutzat Shiller.
Years later, Shiller’s members again faced an institutional decision they did not agree with – the child dormitories and communal child rearing. The members of Shiller wanted to return the children to their homes and the kibbutz movement vehemently opposed it. So they objected to it? The people of Shiller again again stuck with their truth and were the first kibbutz to cancel the communal child rearing and child dormitories as early as 1967.
Visit Kvutzat Shiller
Kvutzat Shiller’s old security house today is “Rona on the Kibbutz”, an acclaimed Italian restaurant. And if you’d like a more rural kibbutz atmosphere with local cuisine, check out Shuka’s Courtyard Cafe. In addition to the home hospitality experience, rumor has it that their Shakshuka (a local dish of poached eggs in tomato sauce) is one of the best in the area. Shuka also runs a food truck, normally parked at the entrance to the kibbutz.
Photos: Kvutzat Shiller
