About Kibbutz Mashabei Sadeh


The first group established itself in 1947 at Halutza, to the west of Kibbutz Revivim. With the passing of the War of Independence and the arrival of new members, the kibbutz moved to its present site. Following the death of Yitzhak Sadeh, leader of the Palmach - the pre- State’s elite fighting unit - the kibbutz paid tribute by changing its name from "Mashabim" to Mashabei Sadeh.

Today, we number some 270 members and candidates, and more than that number of children. Our membership is diverse, and over the years we have absorbed groups and individuals from Israel, NorthAfrica, most European countries, the U.S., South America, and, more recently, several families from the former Soviet Union. Our roots run deep and our committment to the place is strong, with some families numbering three generations.

Our lives in this desert valley are dependent on the water resources available to us. In the 1990’s, with water resources scarce, our eyes are turned downwards, to the abundant amounts of brackish waters waiting to be tapped and exploited under the Negev. Slowly, we are learning what types of agriculture are compatible with these waters. Today, we irrigate our orchards and other crops with non-sweet water, and have even recently established salt-water intensive fish-farms, with both agricultural and tourist potential. Additional crops are irrigated with treated water sewage from Beer-Sheva.

As a result of these constraints, our main agricultural activity takes place far from the kibbutz. On the kibbutz, we have a large poultry farm and a dairy which has achieved the highest level of quality milk production per cow in the country; in 1991 the dairy’s team of workers were awarded the prestigious Kaplan Prize, accorded for exceptional achievement in the field of labour.

Our factory, Sagiv, produces brass ball- valves and fittings for use in industry, agriculture, plumbing and the home; we have developed distinctive compressed-air connectors and gas valves. In a bid to increase efficiency and reduce costs, we hot-forge the pre-machined pieces in our own modern hot-forge. Using advanced machinery, machining, manufacturing and assembly takes place in spacious new conditions, making Sagiv the largest single earner of revenue on the kibbutz.

Innovative ideas, such as the conversion of abandoned children’s houses into country lodging , and the transformation of a personal hobby into a silk artisanry, have created a burgeoning tourist industry since early 1990.
Amoungst our members are doctors, a social worker, an organizational consultant, writers, artists, contributing their talents and incomes to our thriving community. Educational facilities are excellent; 350 students study in the local regional primary school. The high school, located just outside Beersheva, integrates kibbutz and town children in a modern, stimulating environment.
works of Joshua Berenstein (Gandi)