Arvot Newsmagazıne Central Arava Regional Council Issue 2 December 2009
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The Central Arava Regional Council Journal Arvot Newsmagazıne Central Arava Regional Council Issue 2 December 2009 Central & Northern Arava R&D Arava Open Day 2010 and more Page 8 Water Brings life to the desert Page 10 Limmud Arava Page 12 Editor’s Column Six months have passed from new residents to the area - our first issue and I would like a fact that is critical. While to thank all the readers who the Central Arava comprises sent feedback. It was great 6% of the area of the land of to receive such constructive Israel, it has only 0.06% of the comments about the articles population - 3,000 residents, in general and, in particular, and is known as the most the decision to publish a peripheral area from urban newspaper in English. centers in Israel. A lot has happened during the I hope the articles will be of last 6 months in the Central interest and should you wish Arava. This magnificent area any further information or have that was established decades any comments please feel free ago by some “crazy” young to contact me directly. We especially would like to pioneers is on the verge of a We would like to take this thank: breaking point of development opportunity to thank our in all areas. As you will read supporters who have made • JNF USA in the articles, the Council is our programs in the Arava • JNF Charitable Trust (UK) developing major projects possible. Without them we • Jewish National Fund of in Education, Culture, Water wouldn’t be able to initiate Australia and Sustainable Environment, and execute such important • Jewish National Fund of Health and Senior Citizens etc. endeavors. Canada We are also promoting the • Keren Kayemeth Le’Israel establishment of projects that • Jewish Agency for Israel will assist the local economy Keren Rotem, Resource • Partnership 2000 Arava and community life which Development Coordinator and Australia among other will help attract Editor • The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation • The DM Charitable Trust • Emouna Foundation Editorial Board: • The Ted Arison Family Foundation Editors Keren Rotem and Ossi Nir • Stiftung Irene Bollag- Linguistic editor Micha Silver Herzheimer Publisher Central Arava Regional Council, Israel • UIA Federations Canada Translator Alec Hirchowitz - Tirgum • Mr. Michael Rosenthal Editorial Board +972-(0)77-6449019, +972-(0)52-8666153 (Canada) [email protected] • JCD Jewish child’s day Graphic design Yotvata Studio (UK) Title Page Photograph by Dudu Kadosh • JCA Charitable Foundation Internet Site www.arava.co.il • Bonatera Foundation 2 Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 From the Head of the Regional Council I wish you a Happy, program. Other multi-year Education, we as a community Prosperous and master plans deal with tourism, have gained an understanding Successful New Year the environment and senior that the educational It is our custom every New citizens. In a similar vein we are environment in which our Year to look back and to sum in the process of promoting children grow up is vital for up the events of the past year, projects for water preservation, their proper development, so and also to look forward with and for agriculture. I recently that each child may succeed in anticipation to the new year convened a meeting with all fulfilling his own aspirations and that is just beginning. the planners in which they personal needs. The practical I would like to wish us all presented their programs in expression of this educational peace and quiet along our order to establish connections vision is the gradual creation borders, and that all our and integration between the of an educational campus – a sons and daughters return diverse plans. In a region formal institutional framework home safely. I wish that the such as ours it is especially that includes all aspects of processes of economic important to combine forces education in the community, recovery, of restoration and and to think creatively and creating an educational growth, will accelerate and innovatively so that we can atmosphere in the spirit of the flourish in the Arava, in Israel continue to develop the region community’s common values. and also the world over, that it we love so much. The activity of the education will no longer be questionable desk over the past year is whether agriculture will thrive The Education Master Plan testimony of the desire and in the future, and that the After eighteen months of ability of the community to Arava agricultural settlements tireless effort on the part work together and to create a will again be a source of pride of many active community basis of trust that will constitute for our country. members, with the guidance the foundation for processes I wish you a Happy New Year! of the Institute for Democratic of change and improvement News from the Council We are continuing our regular activities with vigor and are also actively promoting many new projects. In the field of education we are beginning to put the Education Master Plan into practice. This is a multi- year program involving the participation of the community, parents and educators. The key word is cooperation and I am pleased with the willingness displayed by parents showing their commitment to the The first cadets of the pre-army school in Hatzeva Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 3 within the education system. into the Israel Defense A Knowledge Center as The forum decided to run a pilot Forces. The very moving an Engine for Growth program for this year, 2009 / opening ceremony at Moshav and Development of the 2010 (5770) that will reflect Hatzeva, which took place on Region the change in educational September 8th, 2009, in old Over a year ago plans were thinking, including concepts renovated buildings and in a set afoot to promote the such as empowerment of tent that serves as the dining region, with emphasis on students in the system in room, afforded me nostalgical providing additional jobs, as which they operate. This reminiscences of 1978 when I this is the key to attracting entails establishment of was discharged from the army new inhabitants to the region. enrichment centers which and came to Moshav Hatzeva Good educational and health support learning in all of to pick tomatoes and peppers systems, community life the educational frameworks in the open fields. Today, of and proper arrangements operating in our region. course, the technology is for senior citizens, as well different and more advanced. as a high quality of life and Pre-army school In the I am proud and moved to a healthy environment are Arava - Arava Leadership see that the values of love highly important. Yet it is Institute for country, of giving, of clear to us that additional Following a series of intensive volunteering and of activism sources of livelihood, apart discussions and meetings, are the guiding lights for the from agriculture and tourism, we opened a pre-army school second and third generations will promise development and for the first time in the Arava. in the Arava. These are expansions of the region The course consists of 10 values that have remained months of training for high constant even after 50 years There is enormous potential school graduates from all over of settlement. in nurturing in the region the country, prior to enlistment a knowledge center that combines research work in agriculture, ecology, conservation and preservation of nature, and also integrates programs in advanced agricultural studies. Thus the knowledge center should become a campus for desert agriculture that can integrate all advanced agricultural studies in Israel. Emphasis should also be placed on studies for students from Arab countries. We also envision converting the current agricultural Rabbi Blau and Ezra Ravins during the opening ceremony of the pre-army school exhibition, the Arava Open Day 4 Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 that is held at the Yair Station, into an international exhibition (Agritech in the Arava). In parallel, we are negotiating with entrepreneurs regarding upgrading of the Hatzeva Field School campus with the intention of establishing a hotel and convention Local girls dancing during the Jubilee event center. This will provide the late Hagai Porat, who to the first settlers, there are both lodging for visitors and shared his dream. Together today 7 communities with a dormitory accommodations they enthused and motivated total of 3,000 residents. The for students of the advanced a handful of their friends and second, third and even fourth tourism courses, who need imbued them with a passion to generations have the desire more extensive facilities than act and to rejoice in establishing to continue settling the area. the existing bed & breakfast a settlement in an area that Without the first settlers, this establishments which cannot was considered unsuitable would not have happened. On cope with the numbers of for human habitation. These May 27th 2009 we celebrated guests. pioneers made the desert the 50 year anniversary of bloom and lit the first light settlement in the Arava with We are convinced that this leading the way in the Arava a widely attended event at valley on the Jordanian border knowledge center will provide which many VIPs honored us - a light that is shining to this employment opportunities in with their presence. In page very day. research, training, catering 20 you can read the speech I The story of the establishment and hotel services, translating made at the event. of Ein Yahav inspires us even into over a hundred new jobs today when we face challenges in the region. Additionally it will Sincerely yours and difficult tasks. Thanks contribute to the strengthening Ezra Ravins, Head of the Council and upgrading of agricultural research and development to the benefit of agriculture and settlement in the region.