As the Village of Peace marks nearly six decades since its founding, we reflect on the milestones that have shaped our community. Each moment represents not just an event, but a step forward in the ongoing journey of building a better way of life.
The story begins in 1966, when Ben Ammi Ben Israel started organising the movement in Chicago. At a time when African Americans were fighting for basic civil rights, Ben Ammi proposed something audacious: not just equality within America, but a completely new society built on spiritual principles and communal living.
By 1967, the first group had departed for Liberia, West Africa. Those two years in Liberia were a crucible, testing the community's commitment and preparing them for what lay ahead. When 138 members arrived in Israel in 1969 and settled in Dimona, they carried with them hard-won lessons about what it takes to build a community from nothing.
The 1970s brought foundational achievements. The House of Life birthing centre opened in 1972, where over 1,150 babies would eventually be born using natural birthing methods. That same period saw the community's plant-based dietary guidelines formally codified and the first Teva Deli food production operations launched.
Through the 1980s, the community established its own school system, ensuring children received education that integrated cultural heritage with academic excellence. This was a turning point: the community was no longer just surviving, it was building institutions for the future.
The 1990s marked the beginning of international expansion. Community centres and businesses were established in the United States, United Kingdom, and Africa. The Village of Peace was no longer a single location but a global network united by shared values.
In 2003, the community received permanent residency status in Israel, a watershed moment after decades of legal uncertainty. This recognition affirmed what the community had long demonstrated through their contributions to Israeli society.
Teva Deli's partnership with Domino's Israel in 2013 marked the brand's entry into mainstream commercial food production, and signalled to the world that VOP's approach to plant-based food had real commercial viability.
Most recently, the announcement of the New Village of Peace development, 304 green housing units on 18 acres, represents the community's largest infrastructure investment and a declaration of permanence. After nearly six decades, the community is not just maintaining what exists but building for the next sixty.
Each milestone built upon the last, creating a foundation strong enough to support not just the current generation, but generations to come.
Written by
VOP Heritage Committee
Village of Peace Dimona — Mastering the Art of Living
