Large collection of letters, photographs and documents, belonging to Menachem Kaufmann, a founding member of Givo't Zaid, a dissolved Kibbutz near today's Kiryat Tiv'on. Late 1940s to early 1950s. Hebrew; some items in German.
The collection comprises:
• Approx. 75 letters exchanged between Kaufmann, Members of Giv'ot Zaid and other settlements, and several official organizations: the "Histadrut", "Hever HaKevutzot VeHaKibbutzim", "Ahavah Children and Youth Village". and more.
The letters reflect life in the Kibbutzim during the 1948 War, and the early days of the State of Israel. They describe the harsh conditions endured during the period, various plans for the financial and social development of the Kibbutz, dilemmas regarding the Kibbutz way and life within a tight-knit community, various private matters, and more.
Some letters, sent to Kaufmann by his friend Avihud Zifroni (see next lot) describe in vivid detail Zifroni's experiences as a Zionist emissary to North Africa, including detailed descriptions of his work, encounters with local Jews, the lack of food and basic living conditions, and his homesickness.
• Approx. 30 documents and paper items, handwritten and printed: drafts for the Kibbutz's regulations document, eulogy for a late Kibbutz members, notes and lectures, book review ("I, Cloudius"), printed report on the cultivation of potatoes (1947), fourteen "Shanah Tovah" greetings cards from friends and institutions, and more.
• Approx. 280 photographs, placed in an album: Kibbutz members at work in construction and agriculture, life in the Kibbutz, the Kibbutz's children and members, military parades, excursions, and more. Several photographs captioned or dedicated to Kaufmann in handwriting.

Size and condition vary.

Kibbutz Giv'ot Zaid in the north-western part of the Jezreel Valley was founded in 1940, by graduates of the Kadoorie Agricultural High School and Mikveh Israel, and was named after Alexander Zaid, important figure of the Second Aliyah, prominent member of "Bar Giora" and "HaShomer, " who resided nearby (killed in 1938). Zaid's twin sons were among the founding members of the Kibbutz. Initially, the Kibbutz was not affiliated with any political movement, and therefore did not enjoy the support of the Zionist institutions. Growing financial hardships, and worsening social conditions, led to a steady abandonment of members, until the Kibbutz was finally dissolved in 1957.