Google ‘Kibbutz Revivim’ and you will find that it was established in 1943 by a youth movement group from Rishon LeZion that included new immigrants from Austria, Germany and Italy on land given to them by the JNF (Jewish National Fund).
Nowhere does it reveal the South African connection!
The story begins in the 1930s when Jewish aspirations and nationalism were aroused by Zionist leaders touring Jewish communities around the world inspiring the rebirth of Jewish sovereignty in biblical Palestine. They were followed by emissaries of the JNF encouraging Jews to invest in the future Jewish state by purchasing land in Palestine. One of the communities they focused on was South Africa where history records their efforts were well spent.
One such inspired family was the Barney and Fanny Berold from Parow, a developing town outside Cape Town. Barney was a successful industrialist who owned and ran Plywoods – Parow’s first factory.
The late Freda Pincus (née Berold) revealed to the writer in 2014 how it came about: “My parents visited Palestine twice in the thirties, first in 1932 and then 1936 when they met the Zionist activist Avraham Granovsky. “Later he changed his name to Granot and would be a signatory to the Declaration of Independence, a member of the Knesset and chairman of the JNF. However, back in 1936, the JNF were negotiating with an Arab to buy his land in the Negev when this South African group with my parents arrived and Granovsky asked if anyone was interested in buying it. The land was totally out of the way; a desolate landscape some 36 kilometres south of Beer Sheva. There was nothing there except a terminal for the British Police dating back to the First World 
War who patrolled on camels. During World War II, a large British army base was established, which served as a stopover from Suez to the centre of the country. Anyway, as far as I know, my father was the only one interested and he bought 825 dunams. Of course, it did not sound financially attractive, but my father was a Zionist. He was not investing for profit but in the future of the Jewish People.”
A few months later, he passed away in Paris and my Mom returned to Parow. In 1939, our family received transfer of the property.”
This might have been the end of the story until Freda’s brother George Berold (z’l), while stationed in Egypt during WWII “took leave to visit Palestine. He went to see Granovsky hoping to see the land and report back to the family in South Africa. Granovsky dissuaded him, saying that there was a war on and there were no roads to reach this area. Probably the only way to reach the area was on camel, which I imagine would not have been to appealing to my brother with only a few days leave! Anyway, Granovsky then asked George if the family would consider donating the land to the to establish a kibbutz.”
It was quite a daring idea as it would be the southernmost kibbutz at the time with no access to piped water. It would demand of its members immense grit, determination and vision. It would also require the acquiescence of the Berold family of Cape Town.
George said he would discuss with the family who all agreed. “This was the land that the JNF gave for the establishment in 1943 of Kibbutz Revivim.”
Making the Desert Bloom. Giora, one of Revivim’s members diverts the flow of water from the reservoir to irrigate thirsty fields under cultivation.
Sabras planting Sabras. Planting cacti on TuBishvat on Revivim some years back, are the children of former South African Wendy Cohen- Solal (Nee Israel from Parow)
Destiny in the Desert
The first settlement began with only three men, and as the ‘station’ slowly grew, eventually women were allowed to join. One of these brave women was Golda Meir’s daughter.
A portent of what was to come, in December 1947, a Kibbutz Revivim car was ambushed and three members of the kibbutz were killed. Battling the elements was tough but soon they would have to confront a new enemy – their fellow man when in 1948, Revivim became the center of Israel’s defense of the Negev during the War of Independence.
An airstrip was built to fly in supplies and the caves which were once home to the settlers became the field hospital and main base. Kibbutz members valiantly withstood heavy Egyptian attacks and 34 soldiers, including one woman, fell in the ensuing fighting, all recorded in a museum there today.
After the war, Revivim became the heart of the Negev but it was the heart of the Berold family that made it all happen.
“During the Six Day War and the aftermath,” says Freda, “there were many Southern African volunteers on Revivim.” Today the kibbutz is held in high regard for its pioneering use of saline and brackish water.” One of its members, Yoel de Malach, received the prestigious Israel Prize for his efforts in this field.
At Revivim’s 75th anniversary in 2013, (although the kibbutz was established in 1943, the garin (founding group) was formed in 1938) the Pincus and Berold families from Cape Town, South Africa were honoured for their family’s enriching contribution to the development of the Negev’s desert.
Family Ties. With the old British Mandate police station at Kibbutz Revivim in the background that in June 1948 a Palmach Brigade took at heavy cost from the Egyptians , stands proudly the descendants of the Cape Town/Parow Berold family. Back row; Issy Miodownik and Arie Barel Next row; Leonie Barel, Sharon Shafrir, Roy Barel, Adam Miodownik, Jason Miodownik, Shani Barel Desser, Shai Shafrir On Bench; Daniel Miodownik, Jono Barel, Freda Pincus (Z’L), Bat Ami Naim, Zami Naim, Michal Naim Front Row; Paula Miodownik and Carol Naim
