Samar, Israel

Samar סמר سامار
Sports field
Samar
Coordinates: 29°50′0″N 35°1′19″E / 29.83333°N 35.02194°E / 29.83333; 35.02194
Country	Israel
District	Southern
Council	Hevel Eilot
Affiliation	Kibbutz Movement
Founded	1976
Founded by	Hashomer Hatzair members
Population  (2022)	275[1]

Samar (Hebrew: סָמָר) is a kibbutz in the Aravah Valley in the far south of Israel. Located near and north of Eilat, it falls under the jurisdiction of Hevel Eilot Regional Council. In 2022 it had a population of 275.^[1]

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 Aravah 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.

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] Locally grown varieties include medjool, nour, zahidi and barhi.^[3]

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.^[4]

• Sands of Samar

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Samar (Israel).

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Samar (kibbutz).

• “Picking Up Organic Dates at Kibbutz Samar" video