Every member of Degania A can be said to have played a part in this wonderous undertaking, simply by virtue of Degania being the mother of the settlements and the Kibbutzim. The space to acknowledge every one of them is limited. Nevertheless we cannot escape the obligation to mention the names of the first pioneers – those who crossed the Jordan and settled at Um-Juni, who by their persistence and the passion of their faith laid down the foundation for the communal life of Degania and drew an entire movement after them. Moreover, in crossing the Jordan eastward into a desolate land with difficult and extreme climatic conditions, they laid down the basis for advanced agriculture as well as establishing the eastern border of the future state in their setting up the group. (settling the area of the Jordan Valley.)
Ya'akov Berkowitz
Their group invited
A.D. Gordon to live with them and to settle under their auspices. They said of him: “ Deep and wonderful was the influence of the old man of the group, Aharon David Gordon, on Degania and her people. Although we didn’t say it to each other, we also felt the great privilege that had fallen to our lot in having this wonderful old man in our midst, working with us and being part of our daily life. The charm of his personality, his pure faith and his original opinions, the joy he took in his work and his pure way of life left their impression on each one of us and on all of us as a social unit. The very fact of his being among us, the young people, inspired our souls with a spirit of enhanced responsibility and increased moral obligation. His innocent personality was a model and a strength to us on ordinary days. We found comfort in it in times of stress and support in times of trouble” (from the book
The Way Of Degania)
