Amirim

Amirim (Hebrew: אֲמִירִים, lit. Treetops) is a moshav in northern Israel. Located 550 metres above sea level on a hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee, it embraces organic farming and vegetarianism. In 2021 it had a population of 870.[1][2]

Amirim
אֲמִירִים
View from Amirim
View from Amirim
Amirim is located in Northeast Israel
Amirim
Amirim
Coordinates: 32°56′18″N 35°27′6″E
CountryIsrael
CouncilMerom HaGalil
Population
 (2021)[1]
870

History

Early attempts by Moroccan Jewish immigrants to establish a settlement in the 1950s were not successful. The original name was Shefa Bet. In 1958, a group of people of various backgrounds banded together to create a moshav based on a vegetarian, vegan, and organic lifestyle and ideology. The founders of Amirim were among the pioneers of the vegetarian movement in Israel.[3]

A group of Branch Davidian Seventh Day Adventist families under the leadership of Ben and Lois Roden moved to Amirim in 1958 and established "The Branch Organic Agricultural Association," which encouraged organic agriculture. They had difficulties in cooperating with the requirements of the moshav, however, causing friction with other residents, and the group soon moved to Jerusalem.[4]

Spiritual Orientation

Amirim is mostly a secular Jewish community, but there are some religious Jewish vegetarian families who live there.[5] Its residents have been described as "spiritually oriented."[6]

Tourism

One of the moshav's main sources of income is tourism. The moshav runs guesthouses and restaurants featuring vegetarian and vegan food. In the early 1960s, the Jewish Agency helped 10 families build the first zimmerim, as the guest chalets are known.[3]

The moshav has a sculpture garden which displays 20 statues belonging to the Israel Museum collections. The works are made by Israeli and international artists, including a steel statue by David Palombo.[7][8]

Arts

The moshav has been noted for its sculpture garden, which features sculptures donated by the Israel Museum, as well as for its music.[9][10][11] Regular musical events include Friday evening performances by two of its residents, the couple Miki Shaviv and Mika Karni.[12]

Notable residents

See also

References

  1. "Regional Statistics". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  2. "אמירים אתר הבית". www.amirims.co.il. Retrieved 2019-08-06.
  3. Israel News : Jerusalem Post Internet Edition
  4. Newport, Kenneth G. C. (2006-04-13). The Branch Davidians of Waco: The History and Beliefs of an Apocalyptic Sect. OUP Oxford. ISBN 9780199245741.
  5. Stacey (2013-05-30). "Amirim, Israel: The world's first vegan village". Our Compass. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  6. Planet, Lonely. "Moshav Amirim travel | Israel". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  7. "Galilee Attractions - Amirey Hagalil Hotel".
  8. "עברית: פסל מאת דוד פלומבו, 1966, בגן הפסלים של מושב אמירים". 2011-10-15.
  9. "אודות אמירים". אתר הבית של מושב אמירים (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2019-11-27.
  10. "Welcome to Amirim, Israel's Vegetarian Haven on a Hill". Outpost Magazine. 2017-05-16. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
  11. www.catom.com, Minicy Catom Software Engineering Ltd. "אמירים". www.amirim-home.co.il. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
  12. "מיקה קרני ומיקי שביב באמירים - סיקור הופעה". mako. 2009-11-27. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
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