The Wilfrid Israel Museum of Asian Art and Studies began with a collection of Near and Far Eastern art bequeathed to the kibbutz by Wilfrid Israel (1899–1943), a friend and patron of its young founders. Israel was the last heir of a prominent Jewish business dynasty in Berlin and an ardent pacifist in his youth. He became one of the leading figures in the rescue of Jewish children and young people from Nazi persecution before and during the Second World War.

In June 1943, while returning from a mission to organize an escape route for Jewish children to Israel via Spain, Wilfrid was killed when his plane was shot down by the German Air Force en route from Portugal to England.

The museum was founded in 1951 and was the first in Israel to exhibit East Asian art. Its initial collection was assembled by Wilfrid Israel during his travels in Asia in the 1920s. Over the years, the museum’s holdings have expanded thanks to generous donations from various collectors.

Today, the museum emphasizes a humanistic and multicultural approach, inspired by the character and values of Wilfrid Israel himself. It offers a permanent exhibition of East Asian art from its collection, alongside rotating exhibitions of contemporary artists from both Israel and the Far East.tors.

Recently the museum is focusing on a humanistic and multi -cultural approach, which draws its origins from the character of Wilfrid Israel himself. The museum offers a permanent exhibition of East Asian art from the museum"'"s collection alongside exhibitions of contemporary artists both from Israel and from the Far East.