| Ketura is located 50 kilometers north of Eilat in the Arava rift, a uniquely tranquil region of Israel. The kibbutz itself is lush and green, situated against the stark desert landscape, which, in turn, is framed by two mountain walls. While the desert summers can be difficult, the Arava is renowned for its mild, sunny winters, and a wealth of desert fauna and flora awaits those who would seek it out.
Ketura was founded by a small group of young Americans, graduates of the Young Judaea Year-in-Israel Course, at the close of the Yom Kippur War in November 1973. The first years of the kibbutz were marked by great difficulties and frustrations, leading many of the founders to leave. In time, the core group of those who remained was joined by other Young Judaeans, a variety of immigrants, and graduates of the Israeli Scout movement.
As Ketura grew, a more stable lifestyle was created, and the members began raising families in their new home. Today, Ketura has grown to be the second-largest settlement in the region, with 140 members and candidates and over 140 children. One-third of the members are native Israelis; the majority of the immigrants come from English-speaking countries with a smaller number from Europe and the former USSR. | Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses) |
