Kyriat Shmona in 1950

Immigrant Resilience in the Early Days of Kiryat Yosef

In the early years of Israel, every newcomer helped shape the country’s story.

Captured in 1950 in Kiryat Yosef (today’s Kiryat Shmona), this photograph shows 20-year-old Miriam Radin, a young immigrant from Yemen, carefully splitting reeds to make mats. More than a simple daily task, this moment reflects the resilience, skills, and traditions that new immigrants brought with them as they built new lives in a new homeland.

Founded in 1949, Kiryat Shmona welcomed some of its first residents from Yemen, whose culture and heritage became part of the fabric of the city and the nation.

Every photograph tells a story. Every object carries a memory. And every immigrant leaves a lasting mark on Israel’s history.

📸 National Photo Collection of Israel (Public Domain)