The 8th day of the seminar started off with a special tour of Ramat HaNegev where we saw how it is possible, through faith and willpower, to maintain a thriving settlement in the hot, dry Negev desert.
The visit began at the Besor reservoirs – a system of three reservoirs established by KKL-JNF with the support of KKL-JNF Australia and additional partners. The reservoirs take in purified reclaimed water from the country’s central region and floodwaters that flow down the Besor stream and provide a stable source of water for agriculture even during the dry months.
Group photo. Photo: Yoav Devir
From the scenic overlook watching over the reservoirs the teachers were impressed by the beautiful view of the Besor stream, which is among the Negev’s largest streams. On average, about two to three flooding events take place at the Besor stream annually. The pipes bridge erected over the channel serves as a viewing point for observing the magnificent sight.
At Ramat HaNegev’s new high school the group met with Eran Doron, mayor of the Ramat HaNegev Regional Council. He told them of their wonderful collaboration with KKL-JNF and KKL-JNF Australia in establishing the high school, among other projects.
“We’re facing fascinating challenges,” the mayor said. “The Negev is the future of our country, but it is a tough region, and in order to succeed here you have to think outside the box. With the help of our partners we are fulfilling Ben Gurion’s vision of developing the Negev.”
Dr. Sefi Melchior, director of the council’s community and education branch, spoke of the educational system in the region and stressed: “our goal is to fulfill our students’ present and future needs. Our education places the individual at the center, from a perception of dignity and equality.”
From there they went on to visit the Ashalim Solar Power Station – another example of Israeli innovation. Hila Kaplan, the council director of environmental protection, explained to the educators about the innovative technologies used to harness renewable energies.
The educational community settlement Nitzana is a green oasis surrounded by desert sands, near the Egyptian border. Many groups of children and teens from across the country come here to participate in various educational activities, with an emphasis on the subjects of Zionism, ecology, nature, the environment, and getting to know the desert.
David Palmach, director of the Nitzana Educational Center, spoke of the variety of educational programs offered here – empowerment workshops, environmental activity, physical movement games, creativity corners, and desert trips. Youngsters of various communities take part in these activities – both Jews and non-Jews, old and recent immigrants, secular and orthodox. “We aspire to serve as a model for others, and thus bring about a change in Israeli society,” Palmach said.
“It is precisely because there is no cultural activity here as there would be in a big city that we have an opportunity to get to know ourselves,” said Sophia, who came from Moscow and is staying in Nitzana for a year. Muhammad, a student at the Neve Midbar boarding school for young Bedouins said: “I love this place, it gives me an opportunity to meet people from different communities.” Noam and Yoav, service year volunteers, spoke of their activities in the place and their dreams for the future.
“We met people that want to grow together and create something new for future generations,” said Max Agapitos from the Moriah College school in Sydney.
One of the highlights of the day was the visit to the Ramon Air Force Base, where a squadron commander told them about service in the Air Force and life in the base. “Our enemies have good planes too, but the difference between us and them is in the level of training and in us having something important to protect – our country,” he said. At the end of the visit he accompanied the group to view the fighter jets up close.
The fascinating day ended in Sdeh Boker, where the group members visited the home of David Ben Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister. In the humble shack that served as his home these educators heard about the personality and actions of this leader, who served a central role in the country’s establishment, and the man whose vision continues to serve as a guiding light for the development of the Negev to this day.