Samar, Israel

Samar

סמר
سامار
Samar סמר; سامار
	Sports field
	Samar
	Coordinates: 29°50′0″N 35°1′19″E / 29.83333°N 35.02194°ECoordinates: 29°50′0″N 35°1′19″E / 29.83333°N 35.02194°E
Country	Israel
District	Southern
Council	Hevel Eilot
Affiliation	Kibbutz Movement
Founded	1976
Founded by	Hashomer Hatzair members
Population (2019)	279

Samar (Hebrew: סָמָר‎) is a kibbutz in the Arabah valley in the far south of Israel. Located near Eilat, it falls under the jurisdiction of Hevel Eilot Regional Council. In 2019 it had a population of 279.^[1]

History[]

The kibbutz was founded in 1976 by gar'in from other kibbutzim who wanted to form a different kind of community. The name "Samar" is borrowed from a plant that grows in the Arabah and near the Dead Sea.

Samar is one of the few kibbutzim that continues to maintain a lifestyle consistent with the original socialist ideals of the kibbutz movement.

Economy[]

Kibbutz Samar is primarily engaged in growing and exporting organic dates. Dates from Kibbutz Samar and other kibbutzim in the Ardom Co-op can be purchased in the United States at Mrs. Green's Natural Market.^[2]

Infrastructure[]

Most of Samar's electricity is set to be provided by a 30 m solar power tower that provided 100 kilowatts of electricity, as well as the kibbutz's heating needs. The tower was built by the company AORA, sits on 2 dunams (0.2 hectares), and includes 30 mirrors.^[3]