Or HaNer
established
Regional Council
Population (Pre 7/10/2023)
Distance From The Gaza Border
Type Of Community
Economy
Kibbutz Or HaNer was established in 1955–1957; the name, Or HaNer, means, “light of the candle” and is taken from the Sanhedrin tractate of the Babylonian Talmud. The founders were mainly immigrants from Argentina and Chile who were involved in Zionist youth movements. Many of them originally came from Kibbutz Giv’ot Zaid. “In Israel, Argentina and this kibbutz…are synonymous,” wrote a Ha’aretz journalist. Due to its Argentinian roots, the kibbutz has been significantly shaped by Argentinian culture. Many kibbutz members painted Argentinian flags on their faces for the 2022 World Cup to express their passion for the Argentinian team and its star, Lionel Messi. During the Soccer World Cup, the media always enjoys highlighting Kibbutz Or HaNer’s colorful rivalry with a neighboring “Brazilian” kibbutz whose founders mostly came from Brazil. You can also find Argentinian cuisine at Kibbutz Or HaNer’s Patagonia Argentine Asado meat restaurant.
Or HaNer has an artistic side. There is an art gallery, Papo’s Art Gallery. Also, the kibbutz is adorned with unique murals that have become an artistic and tourist attraction called the “Mural Path”. These paintings were made by two Argentinian artists and were drawn on the walls of main buildings and the road leading to the kibbutz.
KKL-JNF and Kibbutz Or HaNer
The Events of October 7, 2023
At the beginning of the attack, five homes in the kibbutz were hit by missiles fired from Gaza causing approximately 10 casualties. The civil defense team armed themselves and prepared to take positions. The residents retreated to their safe rooms where they stayed for many hours.
At around 6:50 a.m., news was received about the infiltration of terrorists into the nearby Kibbutz Erez. The security chief from Kibbutz Erez informed Or HaNer’s security chief, Kestenbaum that they needed immediate reinforcements. Kestenbaum sent three members of Or HaNer’s civil defense team to assist in the battle in Kibbutz Erez as well as three kibbutz residents who only carried guns; they also delivered ammunition and weapons to Kibbutz Erez.
Together, the civil defense teams of Kibbutz Erez and Kibbutz Or HaNer fought a tough battle to protect Kibbutz Erez for several hours. At the same time, security chief Kastenbaum and 4 other members of the civil defense team were left to guard Kibbutz Or HaNer. The members of Or HaNer’s civil defense team remained in positions throughout the night until Sunday afternoon, when military forces arrived and took over the kibbutz. On a day when thousands of terrorists breached the fence and inflicted destruction, the civil defense team of Kibbutz Or HaNer emerged as unsung heroes, saving numerous lives.
