The name of Kibbutz Gezer (which in Hebrew means “carrot” and evokes the color orange and red heads and carrot tops) immediately brings up a smile. It seems that the residents of Kibbutz Gezer also know how to smile and enjoy life. No wonder. The founding members arrived in Israel in the free-spirited 1970s from the United States and then from Canada and Brazil. With such a mix, it isn’t surprising that they happily embraced the carrot top freckles (hosting the first redhead conference of its kind in the country).
In general, the Anglo-Saxon spirit along with the language and American culture blow strong to this day on the paths of the kibbutz, where they don’t talk about the stick and the carrot, but about the bat and the carrot. The Baseball bat. The first baseball field in the country was established in Kibbutz Gezer and the American pastime is deeply rooted in Kibbutz Gezer life. Many of the kibbutz members have attended championships abroad as players of the Israeli national team. The Kibbutz anniversary is celebrated, of course, on the 4th of July.
Visit Kibbutz Gezer
Kibbutz Gezer has a dairy farm and Back to Kibbutz Gezer Olives that still offers volunteers from abroad the opportunity to come and take part in the olive harvest in exchange for accommodation on the kibbutz – just like in the days of the wild and cheerful volunteers.
Another fun reason to visit Kibbutz Gezer is a home-made ice cream workshop held by David Leich – Leich Cream, the man with the mustached smile and the smiling mustache. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, take a look at the Naloosh Home Bakery where you can order pastries and cakes in advance.
(Did you know? “Gezernet” was one of the first Internet providers in Israel…)
Photos: Kibbutz Gezer
