The second day of the Walk for Water (13.3.18) continued along fascinating trails in the Lower Galilee region: the Tabor Stream, jeep tours in Ramat Sirin and a visit to the old Gesher site, where the founders of Kibbutz Gesher first settled. On the third day (14.3.18) the travelers walked from Ramat Yavne'el, through Nahal Yavne'el, along the Jordan River to the Kinneret Courtyard.
During the War of Independence, the Gesher settlement was attacked and destroyed. The courtyard was renovated and is now used as a museum documenting the history of the place. Members of the delegation were impressed by the historical bridges from the Roman period and up to the era of the British Mandate. They also observed the Jordanian side of the river and heard about cooperation between the two countries on water, agriculture and tourism.
In the evening, the delegation visited the KKL-JNF House in Upper Nazareth - a youth education center promoting excellence, enrichment and social activities. Establishment of the house was made possible by the support of Friends of KKL-JNF worldwide, a donation from the estate of
Maurice Kamoun from Marseille,
France.
At a festive ceremony earlier that day, the new center was inaugurated with the participation of Israeli President
Reuven Rivlin, KKL-JNF World Chairman
Danny Atar and the mayor of Upper Nazareth,
Ronen Plot.
This is the first center that KKL-JNF has set up - out of ten planned throughout the country - to promote excellence, nurture young leadership, strengthen Zionist values and narrow the gaps between populations of the country’s periphery and its center. The center houses classrooms, computer labs and an auditorium for films and lectures, as well as a space for leisure activities with seating areas, video games and a social events spot.
Ronen Plot and Danny Atar welcomed members of the French delegation upon their arrival. The mayor thanked the guests for the contribution of Friends of KKL-JNF in France to the establishment of the center, while the KKL-JNF chairman emphasized the importance of the connection between Diaspora Jews and Israel. At the end of the visit,
Avi Musan, director of KKL-JNF Houses, guided the guests on a tour of the site and explained to them the activities taking place there.
Kinneret Landscapes
The following day, the hikers walked from Ramat Yavne'el, via Nahal Yavne'el, along the
Jordan River to the Kinneret Courtyard. On their way they learned about the history of settlement in the area, enjoyed the wonderful views of the Sea of Galilee and the
Golan Heights and were impressed by the green fields surrounding them.
Paule Bernard took part in the Walk for Water for the tenth time, which includes her first march in 1998. "I love nature and the peaceful atmosphere," she said, explaining what draws her back again and again. "Of course, France also has wonderful landscapes, but Israel has a special place in my heart."
After a long morning of walking in the area, the group arrived at Umm Juni – site of the first settlement of the Degania group. They learned how 12 pioneers arrived in 1910 to establish an independent settlement of Hebrew workers on lands that the KKL-JNF had purchased a few years earlier. They lived in a commune, worked their fields collectively and laid the foundations for the establishment of kibbutzim and settlement of the land in a spirit of cooperation and equality. Two years after their arrival, the group moved to its permanent location, where the Jordan River spills into the Sea of Galilee.
These young pioneers were not the first Jews to settle in the area - the village is already mentioned in the Talmud. This is just another example of Israel's rich history and ongoing settlement in it. The reconstructed Umm Juni site was developed with the assistance of KKL-JNF to commemorate the area’s history of settlement and the pioneering heritage.
"I always wanted to participate in the Walk for Water, but only now, after my children have grown up, have I finally found the time," said
Anne Knoll of Paris. "I heard how beautiful the nature is in Israel, but there is nothing like seeing it with your own eyes."
The day ended at the Kinneret Courtyard - a historic agricultural farm at the entrance to Moshava Kinneret. The farm was established in 1908 to teach pioneers of the Second Aliyah how to become farmers. Here the original idea of the kibbutz was born. Prominent figures from the Jewish community lived here, among them Berl Katznelson and A.D. Gordon.
The delegation members toured the historic site, sang songs of the Kinneret together and had a little rest after their long and challenging day.
"I was surprised to see everything green and in bloom," said
Remy Rousset of Paris. "I enjoyed walking in nature and I learned about the region’s history and geography. I have visited Israel in the past, but now I feel much more connected to the country.