Beit Kama
Beit Kama
| |
|---|---|
| Etymology: House of Standing Grain | |
Beit Kama Beit Kama | |
| Coordinates: 31°26′44″N 34°45′38″E / 31.44556°N 34.76056°E | |
| Country | Israel |
| District | Southern |
| Council | Bnei Shimon |
| Affiliation | Kibbutz Movement |
| Founded | 18 April 1949 |
| Founded by | Hashomer Hatzair members |
| Population (2023)[1] | 1,059 |
| Website | www |
Beit Kama (Hebrew: בית קמה, lit. 'House of Standing Grain') is a kibbutz in the northern Negev desert in Israel. Located north of the Bedouin city of Rahat, it falls under the jurisdiction of Bnei Shimon Regional Council. In 2023 its population was 1,059.[1]
Etymology
The kibbutz was initially called "Safiach", but later became Beit Kama, a name derived from Isaiah 17:5: "And it shall be as when the reaper gathers standing grain."[2]
History
Beit Kama was founded on 18 April 1949, The founders of Beit Kama were immigrants from Hungary who belonged to Hashomer Hatzair movement. Most of them, holocaust survivors. . Along the years after foundation, the kibutz was expanded with immigrants from Argentine and Israelis who joined as Kibutz members. In the 90s a new neighborhood was founded for families that did not join as kibutz members. The kibutz members and those new families successfully created a community living together in harmony jointly operating the daily kibutz life including educational framework, gardening and neighborhood landscape development, joint swimming pool, club and dinning room operation.
Economy
The Kibutz own in partnership with Kibutz Mishmar Hanegev a dairy farm of about 900 milking cows and agri-cooperative of irrigated agriculture including jojoba, wheat, potatoes, pomegranate and spices such as paprika and rosemary. The kibutz is investing in electricity production from solar panel fields (currently around 300 acres) and is planning to grow further including agro-voltaic farm.
Beit Kama junction located on the highway between the center of Israel to its southern part is a resting point for drivers. The Kibutz is having shares in the cooperative operates the service area of the junction.
Kamada, a plasma-derived biopharmaceutical company, was established in Beit Kama in 1990. Its first product was human albumen.[3] Kamada's production facilities are located at the kibbutz.[4] The Kibutz divested his shares and does not have ownership in Kamada.
Archaeology
In 2013, archaeologists of the Israel Antiquities Authority discovered a Byzantine era mosaic floor on the grounds of the kibbutz. The red, black, and yellow mosaic is decorated with images of birds, local flora and geometrical designs. An ancient water system with pools and channels was also unearthed.[5]
References
- ^ a b "Regional Statistics". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ Carta's Official Guide to Israel and Complete Gazetteer to all Sites in the Holy Land. (3rd edition 1993) Jerusalem, Carta, p.113, ISBN 965-220-186-3 (English)
- ^ Kamada Milestones
- ^ Israeli Company Kamada Breaks Ground with Promising COVID-19 Treatment
- ^ Byzantine era mosaic floor found on Negev kibbutz The Jerusalem Post, 5 December 2013
External links
- Official website (in Hebrew)