Kibbutz Mishmarot is located in central Israel near the town of Pardes Hannah-Karkur. Over the years, Kibbutz Mishmarot was unlike most other kibbutzim and maintained the place of the individual in society, broke many of the values of the traditional kibbutz, and fled from ideological examples as much as possible. The children of the kibbutz moved to live in their family homes (as opposed to the communal child dormitories) as early as 1968, members had private vehicles as early as the 1980s, and privatization came to Kibbutz Mishmarot in the 1990s. The hard core of the kibbutz establishment referred to Mishmarot, at times, as a non-kibbutz kibbutz. And perhaps precisely because of the special combination of the individual and the collective, individuals with an affinity for the collective and several of the most influential Israeli singers and composers – Meir Ariel, Shalom Hanoch and Hanan Yovel – grew up on the kibbutz and began their careers in the Kibbutz song group/choir.
Visit Kibbutz Mishmarot
Today, Kibbutz Mishmarot is no longer the rebellious kibbutz that once broke conventions, but, it turns out, over the years, Mishmarot is the kibbutz that many in the other kibbutzim have followed.
On the kibbutz you’ll find Erol, a restaurant and pizzeria named after singer Meir Ariel. And where the kibbutz secretariat once stood, the same secretariat where Secretary Meir Ariel, according to his testimony, was a diligent failure, is today the Elhanan bakery. For a taste of the East, you can can order dumplings from Momo’s Handmade Dumplings.
Those looking for extreme experiences can rent off-road and on-road motorcycles or join such a trip with Israel Moto Adventures. If you prefer walking and experiential tours, some in an atmosphere of Dungeons and Dragons, you can join Omar Mohan’s Field Games. And if you just want to move your body, you can attend a Pilates class at “Our Studio”. At the entrance to the kibbutz, near Elhanan, you will find the BooBeem clothing and accessories store.
And finally, young composers and musicians who arrive at Kibbutz Mishmarot, perhaps hoping that some of the creative spirit will rub off on them, can record their music at one of the two kibbutz recording studios – Clementina Studios and “The Room in the Orchard” Studios.
Photos: Kibbutz Mishmarot
