Seven Mills Historical Site HaYarkon Park; Soldiers House in Ashdod

 

“At JNF, we look towards the future, but at the same time, an important part of our mission is also to preserve history and tradition,” said JNF Australia CEO Dan Springer.

The Seven Mills site is a historical structure comprised of flourmills on the banks of the Yarkon River that were built during the Ottoman era on the ruins of earlier mills. The restoration of the mills building was made possible thanks to a contribution from the estate of Stephen and Rita Gerstl of Sydney.

The Australian guests were greeted by Ronnie Vinnikov, Executive Director of the KKL-JNF Resource Development Division: “Seven Mills is yet another example of a long list of projects that were realized with the assistance of our partners from Australia,” he said.

He noted that the site is located only 500 meters from the site of the 1997 Maccabiah Bridge disaster, in which four members of the Australian delegation were killed when the bridge collapsed during the opening ceremony of the Maccabiah tournament, casting them into the polluted waters of the Yarkon River. Many more were injured. “Rather than just being angry and full of frustration, JNF Australia took it upon themselves to clean up the river that had caused so much pain and damage,” Vinnikov said.

“When you look at the clean waters of the Yarkon today, you understand the importance and significance of the partnership with JNF Australia,” said KKL-JNF Chief of Protocol Andy Michelson. “With your help, we will continue to promote projects like this.”

And indeed, from all around Seven Mills site one can see the calm flow Yarkon River, listen to the trickling water, take in the riverside vegetation and watch the many water birds and animals that live in this environment. There can be no doubt about it – life has returned to the river.

Yarkon Park spreads out over an area of about 900 acres along the Yarkon River in the heart of the Tel Aviv – Gush Dan metropolitan sprawl. The park offers visitors a variety of picnic spots, walking trails, cycling paths, recreational activities and historical sites. It has become the main green lung for residents of Tel Aviv and its environs.

The restored flourmill mechanism includes a water slide that turns a spoons wheel, which then turns the millstone. Experts say that in the past, it was possible to grind forty kilograms of flour per hour here. Now one can learn about the ancient technology and about the site’s history by watching the restored mechanism and by reading the easy-to-read explanatory signs.

The entire project was designed by architect Tamar Ben Tovim, who explained to everyone present just why this site is so unique: “This place combines history, nature, water and tourism, and our goal was to create a plan that connects all these different elements.”

 

We don’t abandon our fighters

From HaYarkon Park the group continued for a visit to Beit Halochem (Soldiers House) in Ashdod – a sports, rehabilitation and social center under construction for IDF disabled veterans. JNF Australia supports this project and helps develop its green surroundings.

Moshe Shamma, Director of the IDF Disabled Veterans Foundation, took the guests for a walk around the construction site, where work is proceeding at a rapid pace. He noted that at the present time, about 7,000 disabled veterans who live in Ashdod and the surrounding area have no choice but to travel to Tel Aviv or Beersheva for various treatments.

The center, whose construction should be completed in about three years, is being built on the backdrop of the magnificent scenery of the Ashdod sand dunes that face the sea. It will include treatment rooms, activity classrooms, exercise rooms, a swimming pool and sports fields.

Danny Ben Abu, a resident of Ashdod, was wounded during the Yom Kippur War while serving as a tank commander. He told his personal story to the guests - how his tank was hit and how he suffered from severe burns to his face. “Bet Halochem really empowered me,” he said. “Anyone visiting Beit Halochem experiences an encounter with the history of the Jewish state here – from those who fought in the War of Independence up to the young soldiers enlisted today.”

“This was a very moving meeting,” said Ronit Fraid, President of JNF Victoria. “The young soldiers who went to fight for their country are the most precious of our people, and we must do whatever we can to support them.”

This was the JNF Australia mission’s first day on its journey through Israel. Over the week they will continue visiting new projects and receiving a firsthand impression of how much progress is being made for the benefit of people and the environment in Israel.