The cornerstone ceremony held this week for the third KKL-JNF heritage center, located in Sderot. The KKL-JNF center was adopted by JNF-Canada and will be named the Bervin House after the great Canadian donor. The KKL-JNF heritage centers are a platform that provides an inspiring learning environment for the youth, and they are aimed at closing gaps between central and peripheral Israeli towns. The multidisciplinary activity in the centers includes many classes in such areas as knowledge of the country's geography and history, empowerment, leadership, sustainability and environment, and more.
The KKL-JNF heritage centers encourage young people and the community to act for Zionist values, serve in a meaningful role in the IDF or as part of their national service and get exposure to academic studies. In addition, they feature lectures and other activities, and provide an opportunity for youth groups in their towns to hold their activities.
KKL-JNF chairman Avraham Duvdevani: "As in the past 120 years, KKL-JNF is proud to promote an extensive educational activity which in turn promotes equal opportunities in Israel. We are proud to open a heritage center here in Sderot. I want to thank my friend the mayor Alon Davidi and of course JNF-Canada for the collaboration which brought us here."
Sderot mayor Alon Davidi: "I want to thank KKL-JNF and especially chairman Avraham Duvdevani and director of the Education Division Sar-Shalom Gerbi for the foundation of the KKL-JNF Heritage House, which will be built in Sderot and be used as a home for educational entrepreneurship, providing learning space and developing skills, giving the youth an opportunity to live up to their potential. It is a great gift to the city and the whole area, and especially to children and teenager who will receive the resources they need for success. We have held many meetings on the subject with KKL-JNF's professional and devoted team in order to move this important project forward."
David Greaves, KKL-JNF chairman in Winnipeg, Canda: "The Jews of Canada owe a gratitude to the residents of Sderot – the new pioneers. They live in the front and protect the Jewish homeland for Jews all over the world. We are thankful for that. The Bervin House is a testimony of the heritage and relationship between Canada the beautiful people of Sderot and KKL-JNF."