Kibbutz Kefar Menahem is located about 8 km. east of Kiryat Mal'akhi, and about 5 km. from Re’em junction (Masmiye) on route 383.
The kibbutz is named after Menahem Ussishkin, a very active Zionist leader and president of Keren Kayemet LeIsrael ( KKL =the Jewish National Fund).
The community was initially founded in 1935 as a moshav, called " Irgun Menahem" , by a group of workers of the same name. It was established with funding from Keren Hayessod. The place was destroyed at the outbreak of the anti Jewish riots in 1936. On July 28 1937 the moshav was re-established as part of the “Tower and Stockade” settlements, but it did not last long.
In 1939 the parties responsible for community building replaced the members of " Irgun Menahem' with the "Karit" group, which came to pre-state Palestine from Poland in 1932, and with pioneers from the United States.
The kibbutz was founderd on the first day of Hanukkah, December 6 1939.
The kibbutz was surrounded by a large number of Arab villages. In general, relations between the kibbutz members and the Arab villagers were good and, other than occasional thefts of agricultural produce, there were no serious incidents. The Arab inhabitants abandoned their villages during the War of Independence in 1948. The only ones who stayed behind were the El Azi family which continued to stay in touch with the members of the kibbutz, and are still in contact with them to this day.
Over the years, the kibbutz was joined by members of Kibbutz Elgavish, immigrants from Germany, alumni of youth companies, members of pioneer groups, families and individuals. At the end of the 1950s Kefar Menahem was one of the leading communities in the South, particularly in chicken house activities. Kefar Menahem maintained financial stability through the years, even when the rest of the country experienced periods of crisis
There have been many changes in the last decade, and these have been reflected in the area. Despite the privatization, even today the inhabitants of Kefar Menahem continue to maintain the values that ensure that each individual is able to live with respect, and allows a rich and varied community life.
The kibbutz is also currently undergoing 2 important processes: allocating apartments to members and demographic growth through the return of kibbutz-born youngsters to the kibbutz. A new neighborhood has also been built adjacent to the kibbutz, with around 150 units, 100 of which have already been populated by young people. The significant factor in the occupation of this neighborhood is the creation of relationships which will generate a single community. Thus, the "Kefar Menahem Residents Municipal Association" has been established, incorporating all the residents of the new neighborhood, members and residents of the kibbutz. The association is administered by a joint committee, and it addresses shared community issues: education, culture, library, gardening etc.
Today Kefar Menahem has around 1,000 residents.
Sources of employment:
A large number of members and residents work outside the kibbutz
Agriculture: breeding chicken house, cowshed, field crops, deciduous orchards (pomegranates, almonds, peaches, apricots and nectarines).
In recent years a change has occurred in agriculture on the kibbutz: some of the land has been designated for a purified water reservoir, which turned the agricultural lands into a well-watered area. Almost all agriculture in the region, today, uses purified water.
Industry: metals and plastic.
A quarry
Services and related small industries: education, health, catering, clothing, cosmetics, hairstyling etc.
The kibbutz operates the Zafit regional school – junior high and high school.
Beit Habanim is a regional events hall which hosts shows, productions and concerts.
Safari, a rich animal corner which is open to the public on Shabbat and Holidays.
The dining hall serves tasty home cooked meals at noon everyday and on Friday evenings – open to the public (for a fee).
Nearby trip sites: Haruvit Forest, with the IDF physically Challenged Park established in conjunction with the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization Tel Zafit.
