The kibbutz was founded in 1938 by the "Massad" group as part of the tower and stockade enterprise. The first residents were members of the Noar Haoved youth movementimmigrants from Germany, Bohemia and Austria,[2] and former members of a labour group from Herzliya.[3] It was named in honour of Arthur Ruppin, a Zionist leader who was at the time the head of the Settlement Department of the Jewish Agency and who helped the group with establishing the kibbutz[3] as part of his effort to develop Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel. The small group of settlers was facing very harsh living conditions, which led their parent movement to direct some 80 members of the "BeNativ" group to join them in 1942.[3] Most of these had arrived from Czechoslovakia travelling on illegal immigrant ships.[3]
From 2017, the Mekhinat HaEmek (מכינת העמ"ק) pre-army preparatory academy moved to the kibbutz from the close by moshavTel Te'omim. The mechina was established in 2006 and admits both religious and secular men and women.[5] It is now[when?] in its twelfth session; learn and volunteer on the kibbutz and the surrounding area.[dubious – discuss]
As of 2016, Kfar Ruppin's economy was fully privatised.[6]
In 2016, the largest part of the kibbutz revenue came from the privately managed[6] "Palkar" factory, established in 1978[3] for the production of plastic goods and already managed by an external company in 2000.[7]
The area is known for birdwatching due to its location on one of the most important bird migrationflyways between Europe and Africa.[8] A bird ringing station is also located there.[9] The kibbutz culture hall, built in 1965 on a hill near the original tower and stockade structures, is being converted into a birdwatching observatory and research center.[10]
Landmarks
Kfar Ruppin has a 50 acres (200,000 m2) public garden on the grounds of the kibbutz.[11]