In a joint project of the Eshkolot organization and KKL-JNF, taking place on five evenings of July and August this summer, families around the country will go stargazing free of charge. This exciting and educationally valuable activity, intended for children and adults alike, will be held in the pleasant evening hours rather than in the full heat of the Israeli summer. At each stargazing site, a professional from Eshkolot will guide the visitors through a fascinating astronomical journey under the open sky. They will be introduced to the stars and will hear intriguing facts and breathtaking stories about the world above us.
Nine different star watches will take place, each between 7:30 pm and 10:30 pm. The dates are Thursday, July 13 (24th of Tammuz); Monday, July 17 (28th of Tammuz); Monday, August 7 (20th of Av); Thursday, August 10 (23rd of Av); and Sunday, August 27 (10th of Elul). Visitors are to arrange their own transportation. These are the observation points:
- Omri Tal Observation Point, in the Golan Heights — At the Omri Tal Observation Point of KKL-JNF, guidance will be provided by the Midreshet HaGolan touring and study center.
- Malkiya Scenic Lookout — At the Malkiya Scenic Lookout of KKL-JNF, guidance will be provided by the Orot Hagalil touring and study center.
- Mount Turan, in the Galilee — At the Mount Turan observation point of KKL-JNF (near the lookout tower), guidance will be provided by the Galilee Touring and Study Center.
- Ein Hozim, in the Galilee — At the Ein Hozim site of JNF-KKL (in the Galilee), guidance will be provided by the Upper Galilee Heritage touring and study center.
- Carmel Coast Forest — At the Carmel Coast Forest site of JNF-KKL ("Yam Carmel"), guidance will be provided by the Bishvilenu Touring and Study Center.
- The Jordan Valley Monument — At the JNF-KKL grove of the Jordan Valley Monument, guidance will be provided by the Jordan Valley Touring and Study Center.
- The Gitit Quarry, in Samaria — At the Gitit Quarry, guidance will be provided by the Samaria Touring and Study Center.
- Mount Kochav, in the land of Benjamin — At Mount Kochav (Kubat a-Najma), in the land of Benjamin, guidance will be provided by the Midreshet Harei Gofna Touring and Study Center.
- Old Masu’ot Yitzchak, in the Etzion Bloc — At the old Masu’ot Yitzchak Forest of the JNF-KKL, in the Etzion Bloc, guidance will be provided by the Midreshet Hebron Touring and Study Center.
- Shayarot Ridge, in the Jerusalem Hills — At the Shayarot Ridge site of KKL-JNF, in the Jerusalem Hills, guidance will be provided by the Shaar Hagai Field School.
- Hamalachim Forest — At the Hamalachim Forest site of KKL-JNF, guidance will be provided by the Midreshet Hadarom Touring and Study Center.
- Hatzerim Forest, in the Negev — At the Hatzerim Forest site of KKL-JNF, guidance will be provided by the Beit Moriah Touring and Study Center of Beersheba.
- The Great Yatir Forest — At the Yatir Forest site of KKL-JNF, guidance will be provided by the Susia Touring and Study Center.
- Holland Park, in Eilat — At Holland Park, in Eilat, guidance will be provided by the El Artzi Touring and Study Center.
The CEO of Eshkolot, Dvir Cohen, says: "This summer as well, the public is invited to take part in an important, spiritually constructive event from Eshkolot and the KKL-JNF Community and Education Division— a fascinating trek across the sky. At a free, constructive, enjoyable family experience of observing the stars, with engrossing commentary, visitors can become acquainted with the great world above us."
Hagit Ohana, head of the KKL-JNF Community and Education Division, says: "The successful shared effort of KKL-JNF and Eshkolot over the past two years has increased the public's interest in touring the forests and nature sites, and tens of thousands of visitors have come to the KKL-JNF sites around the country. This year will feature a number of events involving nature visits in Israel, along with meetings at Jewish and Israeli heritage sites marking the country's 75th anniversary, the 80th anniversary of the first Negev lookout site, the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, and more.
For further details and registration: www.eshkolot.org
Photograph: Etgar Ben-David