On 6 September 1996, a fire in the Jerusalem corridor caused extensive damage in Kiryat Anavim and surroundings. Fifteen homes and 10 other buildings were damaged in the blaze. Economy In the early days, the pioneers operated a dairy and a poultry farm. In 1968, the kibbutz produced cherries, peaches, grapes, and plums; and operated a guest house, cotton fields and orange groves. Anavid Insulation Products, founded in 1981, is wholly owned by Kibbutz Kiryat Anavim. The plant produces thermal insulation and sealing materials. In June 2013, the kibbutz opened the Cramim hotel which offers a spa treatment based on vinotherapy. Landmarks During the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, many who fell in battle to secure the road to Jerusalem were buried at the kibbutz cemetery. A memorial monument was designed for the cemetery by Israeli artist Menahem Shemi, whose son Aharon-Jimmy, a Palmach Harel Brigade company commander, was killed in action at Hartuv and is buried in the cemetery. Soldiers of the Harel Brigade are among those interred here. Gallery References Further reading Ed. Aviva Ufaz, Sefer Hachayim, the Diary of Kiryat Anavim, Yad Ben Zvi, 2001 'Vehigadta Lebinha - 50 Years of Independence', Kiryat Anavim, 1998 'Sipurei Kibbutzim' (Stories of Kibbutzim), Edited by Zeev Aner, Israel Ministry of Defense, 1998, 'Document and Fiction of the Third Aliya', written by Aviva Ufaz, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1996 External links Kibbutzim Kibbutz Movement Populated places established in 1920 Populated places in Jerusalem District 1920 establishments in Mandatory Palestine