KAẒRIN

KAẒRIN (Heb. קָצְרִין), urban community in the golan Heights. Kaẓrin was established in 1977 following the government's decision to settle and populate the Golan Heights. In 1979 the town received municipal status. It was planned as an urban center that would provide a variety of services to the rural communities and military bases scattered throughout the Golan. At the end of 2002 the population of Kaẓrin was 6,280, among them 30% immigrants from the former Soviet Union. The town has an area of 4.7 sq. mi. (12.2 sq. km.). Its industrial area includes the Golan Heights Wineries and the Eden natural mineral water bottling plants, making it "the city of water and wine." In addition, Kaẓrin's industries include dairy, plastic, and electronics factories. The town has an academic center, which includes the Ohalo Teachers Training College, a branch of Haifa University, and a branch of the Open University. The Museum of Golan Antiquities exhibits archeological finds. The town's name is derived from the ancient talmudic village of Qasrin, which was destroyed in an earthquake 1,300 years ago. The remains of the ancient synagogue and other buildings are open to the public. -WEBSITE: www.qatzrin.muni.il . (Shaked Gilboa (2nd ed.)