The Gush Etzion Heritage Center is currently completing the visitor experience with the opening of the “Return Hall,” a new wing added to the memorial route in Kfar Etzion and serving as a continuation of the existing audiovisual exhibit. The new hall offers a contemporary chapter in the story of settlement in Gush Etzion and connects the historical past with the region’s present.
The existing exhibit, presented in five languages – Hebrew, English, French, Spanish, and Russian – showcases the establishment of Gush Etzion on the eve of Israel’s independence, the battles of 1948, the fall of the bloc and the captivity of its defenders, concluding at the bunker in Kfar Etzion where the last defenders fell. The exhibit’s script is based on personal letters sent by settlers to their mothers and children, providing a human and emotional dimension to the historical story.
The “Return Hall,” created in collaboration with the Gush Etzion Regional Council, JNF USA, the Gush Etzion Fund, the Tourism Ministry, and the Heritage Ministry, continues the journey from the ending point of the existing exhibit. The new film presents the four central characters in today’s reality, alongside their children and grandchildren, illustrating the sense of continuity and development across generations.
Later in the film, the present-day Gush Etzion is shown: The settlements that were reestablished after the Six-Day War, local agriculture, community and cultural life, local creativity, and the growth of the region. Visitors experience a natural connection between the dramatic past and the daily life of the settlement today.
During the visit, a new gift shop was also opened, offering exclusively local products – wines from regional wineries, olive oil, honey, artworks, books, and jewelry, alongside a new cafeteria. The shop supports local producers and allows visitors to take part of the experience home with them.
The “Return Hall” does not replace the existing exhibit but complements and completes it. Visitors, families, and groups can now enjoy a rich and full tour connecting past, present, and future – providing a complete heritage experience that is personal and deeply connected to the place.