Celebrating 28 Years of Kibbutz Eshbal: A Journey of Collective Dream-Building

This week, we celebrate 28 years since the establishment of Kibbutz Eshbal, one of the clearest reflections of who we are and what we believe at Dror Israel. 

Twenty-eight years ago, a group of idealistic young educators chose to move to Eshbal, in the heart of the Galil, to try something bold: to live collectively, to work side by side with diverse communities, and to build a more just and egalitarian society not in theory, but in daily life. They came with dreams, values, and a deep belief in education as a force for real social change. 

The chalutzim of Eshbal, pioneers who laid the foundations 28 years ago.

Today, those ideals are no longer just aspirations. They are a living reality. Kibbutz Eshbal is now home to nearly 200 people, including educators, their children, and youth living at the boarding school, with new generations growing up within the community. From Eshbal emerged a boarding school for adolescents who need it most, educational frameworks that reach tens of thousands of children and youth across the region, and a wide range of initiatives that connect education, community, and place. These include a campground that hosts groups and educational programs, hydroponic greenhouses, and therapeutic animal programs, including a horse stable and dog kennel supporting at-risk youth. Over the years, Eshbal has also served as a space for shared society between Jews and Arabs in the north, adapting and evolving as circumstances changed. 

shared community where educators, youth participants, and children live, learn, and face daily challenges and opportunities together.

More than a single community, Eshbal is a model of Dror Israel’s approach: long-term commitment, collective responsibility, and the courage to turn values into action. It shows what happens when educators choose not only to teach about change, but to live it, building structures that last, institutions that serve real needs, and communities rooted in mutual responsibility. 

Educational kennels where students build vocational skills and experience the healing power of working with animals.

Twenty-eight years later, it is clear that the educators who founded Eshbal were not simply idealistic young people with good intentions. They were chalutzim, pioneers who understood that meaningful social change is built patiently, over decades, through shared life, hard work, and unwavering belief in the power of education. 

More than we built Eshbal, Eshbal built us. And in that sense, its story is inseparable from the story of Dror Israel itself, an organization committed to creating a more just, egalitarian society together. 

Educational stables where horses and adolescents learn to trust one another.

As we mark this milestone, we extend our deep gratitude to the many friends and partners who have supported Kibbutz Eshbal over the years and continue to stand with us today. Thanks to this partnership, Eshbal has expanded over the past five years, building new housing that has welcomed more educators and strengthened the community. With our supporters at our side, Eshbal is now launching another expansion, creating additional homes so even more educators can choose a shared life rooted in educational mission and social responsibility. 

Happy Birthday Kibbutz Eshbal!