The origins of the “Herut” organization date back to 1927. Its members - immigrants of the Third and Fourth Aliyah from Eastern Europe - were laborers from across the country who sought to take their destiny into their own hands by establishing a shared settlement framework that would combine agricultural labor with external employment until achieving economic stability.
Groups of members organized in several towns, including Petah Tikva, Kfar Saba, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv, and Naharayim. Periodic assemblies were held to maintain contact and monitor progress toward settlement. Each member contributed 20 Palestine Pounds to the organization’s fund, forming the initial capital for land acquisition.
The organization grew to around 200 members, but no single tract of land was available to accommodate them all. The “Chai” group, which wished to settle near Herzliya, withdrew; other members went on to establish the villages of Yarkona and Kfar Azar. The “Herut Yehuda” members chose to establish their settlement near Tel Mond, on Tira and Miska land, which was acquired with their own funds and assistance from the settlement institutions - the Jewish National Fund (JNF) and the Palestine Land Development Company.
The name “Herut Yehuda” (“Freedom of Judea”) was given to the organization in 1927 in commemoration of the Bar Kokhba Revolt, which had occurred 1,800 years earlier. Upon settling the land, the name was shortened simply to “Herut.”
The moshav was planned to be based primarily on citrus cultivation due to the suitability of the soil, water access, and climate, and also because many members had already gained experience working in citrus groves in nearby colonies. In 1928, an organization-run citrus nursery was established in Kfar Saba, serving as the foundation for future orchards. Some members moved into a temporary camp in Tel Mond where they worked in the orchards of Lord Melchett and began initial plowing of the new lands.
In 1930, the first huts were constructed in the Herut camp. Life there followed a communal model with shared kitchens and mutual aid. A master plan for the village was drawn by architect Richard Kauffmann. Wells were drilled with funds from the members, and a land-parceling was conducted. Each farming unit received a 3-dunam residential plot for building a house, barns, and a chicken coop, along with space for planting fruit trees and a vegetable garden. An additional 6 dunams were allocated for citrus orchards and 3 dunams for irrigated field crops.
During its first decade, the moshav consisted of approximately 80 farming units. In the late 1930's, the “Hadarom” (“South”) group joined, adding 14 more units.
On the eve of Israel’s War of Independence (1948), the moshav spanned around 1,500 dunams, which included citrus orchards, vegetable plots, peanuts, and potatoes, alongside poultry coops and dairy barns. To supplement their income, many members worked outside the moshav, laboring at night, on Saturdays, and holidays while continuing to develop their farms.
Public institutions were established: a kindergarten and medical clinic, a grocery store, a youth club, and a synagogue housed in temporary huts. Agricultural services included a feed storage facility, a cold storage building, a dairy, water reservoirs, and an irrigation distribution system.
Following the 1948 war, the moshav expanded both in territory and population. It absorbed 20 new families - immigrants and children of original members. New citrus groves were planted, a modern dairy, a feed mill, and a silo were built. Cultural life also flourished: a community center, a dedicated youth club building, and a paved basketball court were established. Roads were paved, easing summer sand travel and winter mud.
Throughout Israel’s wars, 11 residents of the moshav fell in service. Their names are etched in the memorial monument where the community gathers each Memorial Day in remembrance.
In recent years, the moshav has undergone a transformation, with its agricultural character gradually diminishing. The citrus industry, once its pride and foundation, has declined significantly, and the area of orchards and groves has been reduced accordingly. The occupational profile of members has also shifted: while the middle generation still engages in agriculture - mainly citrus and flowers - the younger generation tends toward more profitable professions.
The moshav expanded with the addition of a "Children of the Moshav" neighborhood, comprising 120 families - mostly descendants of the founding generation - who have successfully integrated into community life.
Today, Moshav Herut comprises approximately 300 families, totaling around 1,200 residents.
- Asa Bartov, Moshav Herut, 2004