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Founded in 1949.
Kibbutz Yasur is a secular kibbutz, and is part of the Matte Asher Regional Council.
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The Story Behind the Name "Yasur"
In its earliest days, the kibbutz was first established near Kibbutz Kfar Masaryk, quite close to the Mediterranean Sea.
The name "Yasur" symbolizes the vision of the original pioneers who planned to make their living in the fish industry. ‎"Yasur" is a type of seabird that excels in both swimming and diving. In addition, the kibbutz is shaped similarly to the shape of a bird. Roll down and look at the aerial view of the kibbutz.
Another story says that several of the original Hungarian members first reached Cyprus and were forced to wait there before being allowed to sail to Palestine. When they reached their homeland safely, they never forgot the Petrel bird (similar to Albatross) that flew over their boat, which they were convinced, had protected them during their rough journey. When several of these Zionist refugee/pioneers became the founding members of this kibbutz, they remembered the Petrels that watched over them as they sailed the rough sea, struggling to reach their destination, and decided to call their new home "Yasur" in reference to those beautiful and magical and protective sea birds.
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Then and Now
The Kibbutz was established by two Hashomer HaTzair youth groups from both Hungaryand England, a very interesting cultural combination. The kibbutz was actually originally settled on the nearby hills which are now called The Ahihud Forest. After a short time, the kibbutz moved to its current location. In 1956, a Brazilian youth group joined Yasur and of course added new customs and spices to the life on Yasur. In the following years, more and more members joined the kibbutz through Youth Aliya Groups, Israeli Hashomer HaTzair youth groups, and of course the population was increased with the new members who married "kibbutzniks."
In the year 2000, the kibbutz went through a huge transition in the way it was run and organized. The kibbutz went from being a conventional "socialist" kibbutz to a "new and changing kibbutz." However , how completely different and perhaps difficult the changes were, Yasur's members insisted on maintaining its kibbutz identity and remain as a community with values and which provides help and support to all members. As of today, (February 2009), new members are continuously being absorbed (may there be more….), other members are leaving (primarily due to the death of the original founders). Yasur today has a population totaling 195 members, 82 of which were absorbed in the past 5 years – including children of senior members and new families as well! Yasur is proud to have families scanning four generations - all living in the same community.
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Agriculture and Industry Branches on the Kibbutz
The kibbutz is primarily based on its agricultural branches:
The "Produce Fields" belong to both Yasur and our neighboring Kibbutz Eyn HaMifratz, and together grow a variety of agricultural products such as cotton, wheat, corn for animals, tomatoes, watermelons and additional types of produce.
The Dairy Farm (Refet) has a population of 300 cows for milking and its primary activities are based on the production and sale of milk, while at the same time, calves are raised for the meat industry.
The Poultry Farm (Lul) raises chickens for the propagation of eggs for chicks, and is managed by the Regional Poultry Integration Council.
Smaller kibbutz branches include orchards which grow avocadoes and pomegranates.
Most of the kibbutz members that do not work in these or kibbutz service branches such as education and health, are employed outside of the kibbutz in a large variety of professions. The kibbutz also has some commercial businesses, such as the gas station and local pub. Kibbutz Yasur is also a partial owner of the regional Milu'ot Industrial Factories.
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Committees and Activities
Kibbutz Yasur has a variety of committees which are active in several paths of our communal way of living:
The General Management Committee
The Municipal Management Committee
The Community Management Committee
The Culture Committee (for cultural activities and holiday celebrations)
The Education Management Committee (For ages 0 -18 years)
The Committee for Children's Extra-Curricular Activities
The Selection Committee (for processing the acceptance of new members)
The Absorption Committee (To help new members with the absorption process)
The Welfare Committee (Health, Elderly, Member's Welfare)
In addition, new committees are formed to fulfill special and specific activities, such as the Kibbutz 60th Anniversary Committee.