WELCOME TO KIBBUTZ SHOMREY HASHALOM

"The Experience Of A Lifetime"

                         

Kibbutz Shomrey HaShalom, the urban kibbutz of the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem is comprised of approximately 3,000 men, women and children residing in three development towns in southern Israel - Dimona, Arad and Mitzpe Ramon. We maintain a vibrant culture which includes a communal lifestyle, a vegan diet, a system of preventive health care and high moral standards - a holistic approach to life based on righteousness. Our intent is to live according to the laws and prophecies of God. Since our arrival in 1969, it has been our objective to be the foundation for the establishing of God's Kingdom on Earth. The accomplishments of the past years have only strengthened our faith in the words of the prophets.

"And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever."
Daniel 2:44

The Biblical prophets, especially Isaiah and Daniel, taught us of this very real kingdom. The scriptures told us that it will be established in this land, at a time when larger nations dominate the global scene. This kingdom would start as a mustard seed, minute and obscure. Yet it will eventually grow, and never be destroyed.
There now is a body of people dedicated to the fulfillment of this prophecy, in order that the words inspired by the Holy One of Israel will not fail. Moreover, it is clear that Israel must live out its prophetic purpose; to be a light unto humanity, demonstrating the benefits of living according to the Word of God.

It is time now to bear testimony to the infallible Word of God.The African Hebrew Israelites have embarked on a new era of blessings and development with the establishment of Kibbutz Shomrey HaShalom, "The Collective Association of the Guardians of Peace". This great season has been borne out of the past 40 plus years of sacrifice, dedication, unyielding faith and tireless works. It was by these characteristics that we were to become an "Island of Sanity" and the "Village of Peace".

The kibbutz is a voluntary association of people gathered for the purposes of settlement and absorption and the forming of a cooperative society organized on communal ownership of property, independent work, equality and cooperation in all areas of production, consumption and education. The structure of Shomrey HaShalom follows the structure of an urban kibbutz, providing great potential and opportunity to become involved in various types of social and financial activity that are conducive to the community's way of life. One of the primary objectives is to promote the vibrant, active components of an agricultural kibbutz, along with industrial and manufacturing components. In addition, the kibbutz is capable of promoting regenerative health and nutrition as well as tourism as a significant means of global outreach.

The vast potential of Shomrey HaShalom is literally unlimited. We have arrived at a new juncture of global expansion which will ensure our steady growth and advancement as it relates to programs, projects and investment opportunities.
As we move expediently toward the building of our new regenerative Restoration Village of Peace in Dimona, the level of expectation is immense. The village will be located in the 26,000 dunam (6,425 acres) Ghan Mamsheet National Park area. It includes the Mamsheet Ranch and forest reserve. Our kibbutz will be the only housing accommodations located in the national park itself. It will utilize alternative energy sources, include a full range of tourist attractions, an international health and wellness center, state-of-the-art sports facilities, over 300 housing units, extensive bio-organic agricultural development, a variety of cottage industries and much, much more! Truly, it will be a heavenly place to call home.

This new endeavor is only one step towards the social and economic system of "All-things-in-common". Each year we will make the necessary adjustments to move toward realizing our ultimate goal of "All-things-in-common" - “from each according to his or her ability; to each according to their need.” This economic system of joint cooperation and sharing will enhance the continued development of the community-at-large and institute a high level of social advancement that is unprecedented. This is only the beginning of significantly greater blessings that await our future. Success in this endeavor will become a proud achievement, and together it will become our greatest reality.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Prior to the excavation of the Suez Canal (1859-69) the entire Arabian Peninsula and what has become known today as the "Middle East" were physically connected with the African continent. African people lived and moved freely throughout this region of the world. After dispersion at the hands of the Romans in 70 C.E., remnants of the Hebrew Israelites were driven from Jerusalem. For more than 1,000 years many of them migrated across the continent, eventually reaching West Africa. From there, they were carried to the Americas where they were to become victims of the most cruel and inhumane slavery in recorded history. However, according to the Word of God, this devastating path would eventually lead them back to their homeland (Israel) to fulfill their prophetic destiny.

Acknowledging that a mass migration of Israelites took place throughout Africa forces us to follow their footsteps across the landscape of time and to recall that during the centuries of enslavement in America the captives rebelled against the slave masters who stripped them of their names, their language and culture. Additionally, the Israelites who were taken into America maintained remnants of their heritage through the lyrics of what became known as slave songs or spirituals, e.g. "Canaan's Land where all my possessions lie..." They never stopped praising the God of Israel, e.g. “halleluyah” = “praise Yah” and never turned their eyes from Zion. Even in terms of language they continued to use certain words which were definitely rooted in their original language (Hebrew). Throughout the prophetic exile, migration, enslavement and later assimilation into the American way of life, many African Americans still know that their heritage is rooted in the Holy Land - Israel.

On the eve of his assassination in 1968, the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was inspired to prophesy, "I just want to do God's will... He's allowed me to go up to the mountain... I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know... that we as a people will get to the Promised Land." His words underscore an undeniable spiritual re-awakening. Our presence in the Holy Land is the fulfillment of Dr. King's vision and the words of the prophets.

A review of Biblical history shows us that it is not unusual for the Omnipotent God to anoint a personal representative on earth and to invest His authority in that personage.
Abraham was called the "friend of God." Moses was told that while Aaron would speak on his behalf, Moses himself, would stand in the stead of God.

In 1966, Ben Ammi received a vision in which the angel Gabriel revealed that the time had come for the descendants of the Biblical Israelites among African Americans, to return to the Promised Land and establish the Kingdom of God! A year later, despite his own anxiety, and the skepticism of many, he led 350 African Americans from inner-city Chicago an a journey to the bush of Liberia, West Africa.

The challenges of the sojourn in this West African wilderness would be many, as the pioneers would face searing heat, malaria, poisonous snakes, driver ants by the millions and a rainy season of monsoon proportions… all while living in tents and thatched-roofed dwellings, and learning to feed themselves.

In 1969, the first members of that community entered the Promised Land and laid the foundation for God's Kingdom on earth, simply a government of men and women governed by the laws of God.

By 1990, their courageous efforts were rewarded as legal obstacles were removed and the community became renowned as an oasis of social harmony, free of crime, drug abuse and immorality. Israeli media declared the community "an island of sanity," and extolled the inspired leadership of Ben Ammi. Even the American Congress took notice, labeling the accomplishments "the miracle in the desert." Today we behold the man who was inspired by God to return the descendants of the Biblical Israelites to the Holy Land and establish the prophetic

Kingdom of God… and we are here as a witness to the accomplishments of Ben Ammi. We can just as assuredly announce that God is with him and this is the Kingdom of God!