Rosh Hashana 2008 Update – Part 1

After a short summer vacation in Europe away from the high temperatures and humidity of the Israeli summer we returned home to Matzuva to what one can only describe as a hive of activity. New houses under construction at Nofey Matzuva (community village), house renovations and extensions on the kibbutz, widening of inner roads, replacing water and sewage lines, etc.

Due to the water shortage the usually green lawns now look a little arid but the hope is with the rains they will once again flourish. We had a short cloudburst yesterday after months and months without so here’s hoping!

Firstly, let me wish everyone Shana Tova – a Happy Jewish New Year and well over the Fast (Yom Kippur) where appropriate. Wishing for a new year bringing peace and tranquility to this troubled region and an end to the conflict between two peoples. A year of prosperity and good health to all our surfers.

Well, what’s new on Matzuva? – Noam Netzer our auditor reports:

Electricity: A contract has been signed with a high-tension electricity contractor to move the high tension wire above the former children’s farm towards stage B of Nofey Matzuva and the one above the children’s houses is to be moved by our own electrician Alon Shaar. A tender is out for street lighting on the widened road below the swimming pool through to road joining on to the perimeter road close to the kibbutz entrance.

Water: New pipeline to be laid alongside the road from the swimming pool passing the club house through to the southern residential area.

Playgrounds: The small playground near the toddler’s houses has been renovated and the bigger playground with games installations should be in use by November.

Teenagers Activity Houses: The regional council has allocated funds for renovating and redecorating these houses and a tender is out for the work.

Dining Room: After the food processing plant abandoned the building without ever getting off the ground but leaving considerable damage, legal proceedings are underway. Meanwhile, the kibbutz committee has decided to earmark it as a mini community centre. Architectural/interior design plans have been ordered and the kibbutz is seeking donors and/or funds to return this building to its former glory.

Anyone having the means and desire to be involved in funding this project partially or fully is invited to contact me by e-mail and I’ll pass any offers over to the relevant party.

Swimming Pool and Nofesh Matzuva (B&B tourism): In February 2009 Oranit, a resident of Matzuva, will finish a 5-year contract for running the B&B and in March the company running the swimming pool will take it over. This is part of a minimal upgrading of the pool and facilities for next summer providing the necessary permits are obtained from the Ministry of Health. As mentioned before, a new swimming pool is planned for the Nofey Matzuva area. Proceeds from the B&B during the next two years will go towards the investment in the present pool.

Communications: A decision has been taken to upgrade telephone, Internet and satellite tv facilities starting 2009.

Chicken Houses: There are 4 chicken houses in the Nofey Matzuva area that have to be dismantled and moved. When funding has been obtained new and modern chicken runs will be constructed. Consequently, the packing house (mango and pomegranates) near the cemetery towards the north will once again become a chicken house. The plan is to construct a new packing house nearby.

Weaving Factory building: The building will be vacated at the end of the year and a new company will be found to rent the building.

Once again, many thanks to Noam for his input!

Two letters questioning decisions or lack of decision by the kibbutz committee have been published in the kibbutz “Alon” on the subject of the kibbutz archives and communications.

The Rosh Hashana Alon is filled with new year greetings from various branches as well as comments regarding illegal parking, notices about prayers for Yom Kippur at the Matzuva Synagogue, revised opening times at the kibbutz mini-market (Kol-Bo), warm greetings to Michael Avidan having reached his 80^th birthday and thanks from Emet Nadav to all who participated in her 90^th birthday celebration.

For our Hebrew readers the latest edition of Aley Giva will shortly be on line.

The Rosh Hashana Update Part 2 containing a report on the agricultural scene at Matzuva, a sports update and other items hopefully of interest that I hear about on the grapevine will also appear in the coming weeks.

Return to Baruch Kadmon’s Update Page