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 , 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 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.

Jubilee festivities of Settlement in the Arava This year we celebrate the 50 year anniversary of settlement in the Arava. Moshav Ein Yahav was established under the leadership of Shay Ben Eliyahu, the visionary, and President Peres recorded blessing during the event

Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 5 A moment of history Amnon Navon’s column

Dov’s Drivel “the good old days”) and they The accepted methods were irrigated with sprinklers. of irrigation were either by The time: the early 60’s Every two weeks during sprinkler or flooding, but The place: Ein Yahav the season we would pass Dov laid narrow plastic pipes (then a cooperative farming between the rows of tomato throughout his tomato patch to settlement). plants, with the help of our provide drip irrigation. Strange faithful horse Gypsy, and pick looking stick-like things called The Jewish Agency, which the tomatoes. We achieved a “drippers” were attached to funded establishment of the yield of 5 tons per dunam. The these pipes. These drippers settlement, was usually not price of tomatoes was sky high were the invention of Simcha very successful in imposing as the entire winter supply of Blass, who was the chief its way on us young settlers. tomatoes was very small and engineer of Mekorot (Israel’s One day, the Agency assigned us a big mission: to absorb a research worker and give him a plot in the vegetable field on which he would conduct agricultural experiments. The idea was not happily received. We asked what a young graduate from the faculty of agriculture could do that we, who were veterans of the Arava, could not. Moreover he was to be allocated one of the houses from the small reserve of houses coveted by the newly weds of the settlement. The research worker, Dov, Gypsy in the course of action and his young family arrived. They were not exactly given came from a small number of water company) at the time a warm welcome and they settlements in the Arava. of the construction of the were isolated socially. Dov The total quantity of tomatoes “Yarkon-Negev” plant. He was given a small plot in the grown by each of the Arava also designed the Israel vegetable field where he settlements in those days in National Water Carrier (which planted his tomatoes. the winter was smaller than transports water from the Sea the quantity grown today by a of Galilee to the Negev) and At that time tomatoes were single farmer. In winter salads was responsible for the start of Ein Yahav’s primary crop were usually made of lettuce, construction on the project. and were grown, of course, carrots and onions and only in open fields. The varieties the select few could afford to Simcha Blass developed these grown were Marmond and buy tomatoes. drippers and claimed that they Moneymaker (with the taste of would revolutionize agriculture.

6 Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 The experts laughed at him method, and who succeeded worth their weight in gold and and he had difficulty in raising in persuading the Settlement each one was hand picked. funds for experiments that Department Manager of the The first crop of tomatoes would prove the efficiency of Jewish Agency to carry out picked from Dov’s plot was his invention. Simcha and his an experiment in Ein Yahav three times as much as that son rented a small basement and to send an agronomist to obtained from regular fields, in Tel Aviv where they made perform the experiment. and by the end of the season the first drippers. There were his plot had yielded 20 tons no buyers. per dunam, an astounding Dov’s tomato plot was quantity by any measure at The method would have irrigated using this strange that time! remained in limbo for a long and expensive method called In the light of the results of the experiment, this revolutionary irrigation system spread throughout the country and the world. Drip irrigation continues to contribute greatly to increasing crop yields per unit of land and it also saves water and enables brackish water to be used in areas where sweet water is in short supply.

At the conclusion of the experiment Dov left the settlement, hurt but a winner. Sorting tomatoes during the 1960's By the way, Dov’s surname is Pasternak and today he is a time had it not been for a “Drip Irrigation”. We caused professor at the Ben Gurion young agronomist, Yehuda him many problems, and did University, and is renowned Zohar, who believed in the not even take the trouble to go worldwide as an expert on salt and see what he was wasting water irrigation in arid regions his time on, yet Dov continued … using drippers, of course. to cultivate his plot.

One day Dov approached the late Hagai Porat, at the time the settlement’s coordinator, and said that the tomatoes on his plot needed to be picked. Photos courtesy of Amnon Navon Advanced sorting using machinery Tomatoes at that time were and the Ein Yahav Archive

Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 7 Central & Northern Arava R&D Yair Station

Come join in our success 60% of Israel’s fresh produce of us believed that by the export and 10% of Israel’s cut following year the vision of a Central & Northern Arava R&D flower export comes from the permanent structure for the is a division of the network Central & Northern Arava regions. Center for Agricultural Tourism would become reality. During this last year thousands of visitors from Israel and abroad toured the Station. Visitors always expressed their impression of the achievements and the results of research and development in the Arava. The new center for Agricultural Tourism at the “Yair” Station is being built and will be completed in the near future, becoming a regional attraction and a key point of interest in the Arava.

During the tours at “Yair” Station, visitors are exposed to High- Tec farming methods, mostly of Agricultural Research and “A Window to agriculture” environmentally friendly, of the Development Stations in Israel’s The Center for Agro- region’s farmers. The Central & peripheral regions. The R&D Tourism Northern Arava growers succeed Stations are sponsored by in maintaining successful, world Keren Kayemet Le’Israel When the tourist department at renowned agriculture despite (KKL- JNF) as well as the “Yair Station” was established, the harsh desert conditions Israeli government and other about a year ago, not many such as saline water and high organizations. Our goal is to serve growers and their development needs while utilizing the region’s unique attributes. We aim to increase agricultural sustainability, profitability and to support the growing population in the Arava.

Arava growers produce vegetables, cut flowers, fruits, fresh herbs and ornamental fish. Yair Station

8 Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 temperatures. During the tour Gradual Fogging System with the assistance of JCA the guests are exposed to Charitable Foundation. The the wide variety of vegetables Arava R&D experts together first prototype will be ready in & colorful flowers as well as with Dr Avi Arbel from the the up-coming 2010 season. aquatic farming of clown fish Volcani Institute are developing and more – yes, fish can grow a green house cooling system. Arava Open Day event in the desert. Basically, we see One of the problems growing Ben Gurion’s (Israel’s first Prime vegetables in the desert is Every year around “Tu Bishvat” Minister) vision taking shape. excessive heat. In order to get Central & Northern Arava R&D better results there is need to holds an Open Day Event. Ornamental Fish cool the greenhouses in the This event has become the largest agricultural event in A few years ago Central & Israel. In 2009 this two day Northern Arava R&D started event had over 150 exhibitors a new project: breeding as well as over 20,000 visitors ornamental marine fish called and guests. The 2010 Arava “Clown Fish”. Today it is Open Day Event will take possible to grow this fish and place on the 27th and the other species on a commercial 28th of January and it will basis. This new enterprise be the climax of this year’s enables second generation Gradual fogging system celebrations honoring the 50th sons and daughters of veteran anniversary of settlement and Arava farmers to return to beginning and at the end of agriculture in the Arava. In light the Arava and start their the season. of this very special occasion, own business. Due to the The gradual fogging system we are hoping that the JNF limitations in the Arava with for greenhouse cooling is a Missions will participate and respect to water and land, new technique that is being share in this gala event. the fish breeding industry is a developed at the “Yair Station”. viable alternative. The system is being developed Aylon Gadiel, Manager Arava R&D [email protected]

Clown fish (Nemo) born and raised in the Arava Arava Open Day 2009

Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 9 Water

Water - brings life and enables the land to be settled and developed

The Central Arava was first settled in July 1959, 50 years ago. The lack of water, Sheizaf Reservoir covered with a Polypropylene floating cover isolation and distance from 35 million cubic meters a Company, supervises the local established settlements and year. The water system in the water system by monitoring cities as well as the harsh Central Arava, between Idan the consumption data. These weather conditions posed and Paran is inter-connected data are received online, in real the greatest impediments to with drilling operations, time, through a computerized settling and developing this transport systems, pumping telecommunication system barren and arid area. At the stations and installations for enabling the allocation of beginning the source of water using water from reservoirs. water by quantity, quality, was local wells. Later, in the There is a mixture of different and pressure requirements, 1950’s, drilling for water began qualities of water. according to regional control in an attempt to find potable With the signing of the peace standards. Water usage water and water for agriculture accord with in 1994, 12 is supervised, including of satisfactory quantity. In drilling sites out of the 52 wells enforcing quotas, and cutting addition, experiments were that supply water to the region off the water supply for short carried out to discover what continued operation from periods during the summer at could be grown with brackish within the territory of Jordan. the beginning of the season water. The water on the Jordanian when the demand is very side is of a higher quality and high. The potential supply was based is mixed with the salty water on the idea of using ground from the Israeli side at dilution The Central Arava has an water directly replenished by junctions, thus improving the agreement signed by all of floods. Over the years, with overall water quality used for the settlements in the region the increase in the knowledge local agriculture. by which they undertake to of desert hydrology and the make every effort to distribute discovery of deep aquifers, the The Arava Drainage Authority, the water equally. The Central potential has grown enabling with the assistance of Mekorot, Arava is not yet connected the pumping today of about The Israel National Water to any other national water

Eshet Reservoir near Paran Sheizaf Reservoir near Ein Yahav

10 Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 sources and due to the small Visitor’s Center - Desert Water amount of waste water, it is Water is a significant issue on the agenda in many places our commitment and also that around the world. The amazing story of the water in the Arava of the State to find additional is unique in all the world. The Regional Council has recently sources of water to enable started planning a Visitor’s Center on the hill above the Sheizaf continued development of the reservoir overlooking Ein Yahav and Jordan. region and the absorption of This is an educational project for both youth and adults which will the Arava’s second generation be carried out with the collaboration of the region, the Mekorot of residents. Five reservoirs Company and with the support of donations, concerning water were built in the Arava for in the Arava which will deal with a wide range of fascinating collecting flood waters to aspects such as: be used directly for irrigation The search for water in the Arava. and for enriching the ground Hydrology. water. In addition, the master Deep Aquifers: treating water, cooling, removing iron, H2S. plan should provide solutions Development work- water transport systems. for additional water of high Flood water reservoirs and the occurrence of floods. quality, mainly from sources Drinking water, desalination systems. outside the Arava including Operative reservoirs. desalinated water from The Peace Accord provisions concerning water, and the and water from drilling sites in performance of the parties over the years since 1994. the Dead Sea area. Films accompanying the projects, such as how a water drilling operation is carried out from the initial This is our great challenge. groundbreaking until full capacity pumping. Conquering the wilderness Unique systems characterizing the Arava: dilution and enabling man to settle the junctions, optimization, distribution of water to consumers, desert. remote control and supervision etc. Operation and maintenance- sealing drillings, chemical and mechanical treatments, the use of explosives, etc. Irrigation methods over the years.

This Visitor’s Center will serve to attract and educate school Ami Shacham, Director Arava Drainage Authority pupils, visitors and tourists at an excellent location in the Arava. [email protected] We hope it will also promote collaboration with other countries, foreign companies and businesses in the fields of water and agriculture.

Hatzeva Reservoir Hatzeva Reservoir

Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 11 Limmud Arava

The international Limmud a widespread system of and growth of the Arava. program is designed to reciprocal activities, and has deepen the awareness of established an innovative model Limmud Arava Jewish identity and to facilitate of Israel-Diaspora relations, The Limmud project was an in-depth study of Jewish the main purpose of which brought to the Central Arava sources and texts dealing with has been the transformation Region by a group of active Jewish culture, as well as to of the previously philanthropic members of the Arava - consider world philosophical relationship (where one party Australia partnership who had thought. This is achieved while was the giver and the other attended Limmud meetings creating community contacts the receiver) into a mutually in Australia, and become through volunteer activities. beneficial relationship between enthusiastic about the Limmud equal partners. It was also concept, and impressed The connection with exemplified by the move away with the study contents and Partnership 2000 from collective involvement especially with the energy and and towards direct and involvement engendered by The objective and mission personal involvement. The them. This group proposed of Partnership 2000 is to Central Arava – Australia the establishment of Limmud develop and promote ties partnership was established Arava, with the option of between the Diaspora Jewry about 14 years ago and it inviting the neighboring regions and Israeli society through is a mutual relationship with of Tamar, and Eilat to join community, organizational full partnership between the the project. They suggested and personal connections. communities. The main focal using Limmud Galil, which has Partnership 2000 commenced points of the partnership are: been in operation for several operations with the help of reciprocal relations between years already, as a model. the Jewish Agency in 1994, the communities, community in coordination with the development in the fields of The Central Arava is Israel’s United Jewish Communities education, art and society and most remote and peripheral of North America (UJC) and the economic development region, with the nearest urban Keren Hayesod (the United Jewish Appeal). The program was developed to strengthen the ties between Jewish communities worldwide and the communities in Israel, and is involved in promotion of joint causes and common interest issues forming part of the development agenda of the regions in Israel, and engaging the active participation of the Diaspora communities. Over the years Partnership 2000 has developed into Yair Tzaban's opening session of the October 2009 Convention

12 Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 centers being Beer Sheba and from the training we received organized and held with the Eilat which are both about 130 at the meetings of Limmud guidance of people from Beit km away. It is 100 km distant International. Hamidrash BaMidbar (house from the Eilot Regional Council of study in the desert) from located in the Southern Arava The principle objective of Limmud Yeruham. Our first task was to Valley and 120 km away from Arava is to hold conventions in establish a group of committed the Tamar Regional Council the Central Arava and to set volunteers. The Limmud in the Northern Arava. Our into operation activities for a project is based on voluntary isolation and distance from large number of participants activity, and it was therefore other regions in the country drawn from residents of the important for us to hold the amplifies our need and desire region as well as from residents Limmud meetings in the form to create a vibrant community of other regions. The organizers of a dialogue between friends. life for ourselves that covers of Limmud Arava are taking We organized six exposure both intellectual pursuits and steps to receive membership meetings which were held “in especially discussions on a and sponsorship from the house” at all the Central Arava very relevant and real subject worldwide Limmud organization communities. Together we – realizing our Jewish identity. studied texts from the original Jewish writings: the bible, International Involvement the Talmud, the Mishnah (oral Jewish laws) and folk In order to gain a more legends, as well as literary and informed impression of the philosophical works from the global Limmud organization cultures of the world. Each of and to learn more about it, these meetings was attended we sent representatives to Registration to the October 2009 by around 90 people, some Limmud Convention the Limmud Galil convention of whom returned again and over Chanukah of 2008, as again to attend almost all of well as to the annual Limmud which is centered in London. the meetings. The participants Britain convention which was This project was initiated and reported great interest in the also held in December of that financed by Partnership activity. year. Favorable impressions 2000, the Jewish Agency were drawn from these two and with the assitance of the The schedule of activities conventions. Ties were forged Arava Community Center. for the coming year with the Limmud Australia and Limmud Galil people and we Meetings have been held For the coming year we are received from them significant since January 2009 with the planning 18 Limmud meetings, and helpful inputs for the intention of creating public beginning from August establishment of operations awareness and exposure 30th, 2009 and taking place in the Arava. We learned a for the Limmud project and thereafter once every two great deal from the impressive also of creating interest in weeks. The meetings will be manner in which the Warwick the Limmud project among held within a social framework convention in England was the residents of the Central and will deal with topics that produced. We also benefited Arava. The meetings were have been divided into three

Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 13 categories. other matters. 1. New Beginnings: For In order to create pluralism example, the Tishrei holidays, and variety in the meetings, Slichot (forgiveness) – a window and to have a variety of Jewish into the world of poetry, “the perceptions, approaches and flood” – the creator whose styles, we have contacted creation was spoilt, first women discussion leaders from both in the Bible, etc. within and outside of the in addition to the residents of 2. First Families: For example: region to moderate a number the region, also to members first brothers – Cain and Abel of meetings, and have of the Australian community – the story of the first murder, received affirmative responses who have immigrated to Israel, the first Hebrew family, mothers from Rabbi Blau, Rabbi as well as Australians visiting and daughters in the book of Shaish, Carmela Riati and Israel, and to all the residents Genesis. Hanan Porat – some of them of Israel. The lecturers invited 3. Traditions Continued and residents of the Central Arava will be attending voluntarily, Created: for example: telling communities. They, in addition in the spirit and approach your son – creating ethos, to the regular lecturers from of Limmud Worldwide. The morals, and tradition; wife Beit HaMidrash in Yeroham, Arava residents, who will and family relations – Sara will lead the discussions organize the project, will also and Hagar, comparing the do so voluntarily as a service Declaration of Independence Dates for two conventions to the community. We are to Jewish sources on the currently working on obtaining subject of Galuyot (the The first, a one day convention, as widespread advertising ingathering of the Diaspora); that was held immediately as possible of the Arava Jerusalem the Light of the after Succoth, on October convention in order to reach World – is this so? On the 15th, 2009. The second all of these communities. selection of holy places, the convention, scheduled , , status of father – son – the for February 18-19 2010 Since the Limmud project is a is a two day convention. people of Israel – Jacob’s community event in the Arava, Invitations will be extended, blessings to his sons, and we have great expectations that it will snowball, generating positive energy for our community and will contribute both to the learning experience and the widening of horizons of the entire community, and also to stimulating discussion of our Jewish-Zionist identity.

Cochy Avny, Director Partnership 2000 Central Arava-Australia Lea Shackdiel during a session [email protected]

14 Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 Tourism in the Arava

Tourism in the Arava relies promoting regional projects, Port. Along this ancient route on three main assets: etc. The main funding comes expensive goods (spices and Tranquility from the Jewish Agency perfumes) were brought from Breathtaking views Partnership 2000 project, Asia to Europe. Excursions in unspoiled which was a very significant nature reserves factor in founding and The Arava was lucky enough marketing of tourism in the to be a significant part of this Tourist facilities in the Central area. impressive route. UNESCO’s Arava started to develop in There are currently 230 guest recognition of the route as a the late 1990’s and from the units and cabins that are Heritage Site has clear and outset managed to meet the active in the Central Arava obvious advantages: existing demand. In the early and several hundred more International prestige years of 2000, a department are being planned. Most new International aid was established in the B&B units will be in Zuqim, Conservation of the Route Regional Council to assist the new community whose and its sites entrepreneurs and promote residents rely on eco-tourism Integrating the Route in the tourism through development, for their livelihood and offer map of the first rate tourist marketing, advertising and a variety of fascinating tourist sites of the world public relations. experiences. In addition to The department is active to accommodations, many tourist Tourism in the Arava has this day and the Arava tour attractions and restaurants evolved remarkably over the operators are “members” have opened and there is last 15 years. The Region is paying a fee that is used to room for many more to come. considered to have achieved support the operation of the one of the most impressive Visitor’s Center. In 2005, UNESCO declared developments of rural tourism The tourist office operations the Spice Route a World in Israel. The potential is great include advertising, courses, Heritage Site. This route is and there are many more training, organizing regional 2000, km long, starting in projects in the pipeline. A events, operating information Yemen, it passes through vacation in the Arava is like centers, publishing and Saudi Arabia and Jordan no other. You, of course, are distributing marketing material, (Petra) and then through the welcome to visit and fall in maintaining the website, Arava and ends at the Gaza love.

Rinat Rosenberg, Tourism Department Coordinator [email protected]

Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 15 The Central Arava Knowledge Center Man and Desert Learning Center

Background to settle in the desert. The first education. generation of settlers in the area · To coordinate scientific The Israeli settlement of the was successfully based on activities comprised of the Central Arava Region took hold agriculture, mostly vegetable following components: Basic against all odds and in spite crops. Success of the coming Science, Applied Science, of the pessimistic predictions generations will depend on Exposing the Community of government experts in the availability of new means to science, Environmental the 1950’s. The story of the of livelihood. We believe that issues, tourism in the desert Region should be viewed as a science and education are the and more. miracle - those who know the future areas. · To upgrade the quality of the harsh conditions in this Region local school, broadening the on the one hand and on the The Council wishes to establish options for our children and other hand see the flourishing a Center based on the three to enable and enrich after and successful agriculture, the existing elements that will school activities. excellent education system bridge the inherited gaps for and the rich community life, future agro-environmental and The concepts of the know very well that this was technological developments. Knowledge Center achieved through hard work, It will be an academic/ determination and deep belief scientific platform for · The center will be composed of in the goal. students, researchers and several modules/ units. entrepreneurs, local and from It is in our hands now to · A scholar/scientist will be the outside the Region. keep the miracle alive for head and the leader of each future generations. We propose to initiate the unit. Presently, there are three knowledge center with five · The system of funding can be as separate regional units that interactive foundations. follow: each unit and every head play an important role in of unit will be related to a donor. The mission and rationale shaping the future of life in the · The topics and the characters of for the Knowledge Center Arava: (1) the agricultural R&D the research units will be: that represents the expansion 1) Environment, desertification · To establish a research center and development of agriculture and sustainability. that will broaden the scope of Environmental education (aimed (2) the Hatzeva Field School 2) activities in the Central Arava at both the Israeli population that represents nature and expand the available and students from abroad). conservation and education occupational opportunities 3) The potential of desert plants and (3) the Science center for the local resident and as source of leads for drugs, that focuses on academic people who wish to live here fungicides and herbicides. relations between the Region but have no other means of 4) New agricultural crops. and research institutes and livelihood in the Region. 5) Biotechnology (molecular universities. · To absorb students and genetics) of algae and plants The Central Arava Regional scientists that will become for the benefit of creating Council wishes to develop the new residents in the Arava immunization against diseases, Region into one that enables and will be able to fulfill their for production of healthy young generations of people high qualities in research and compounds and more.

16 Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 6) Zebra-fish as a system model · AICAT – Arava International • Educational activities for studying human diseases: Center for Agricultural Trainees • Agro-sciences unveiling mechanisms - the school for agricultural • Biotechnology and nutrition of of human diseases and trainees from Thailand, Nepal, fish screening for drugs against Vietnam and Myanmar has • Plant Genetics engineering human diseases. been running for ten years now, • Plant diseases R&D 7) Plant tissue culture as source with great success, employing • Biotechnology and for improved kinds of plants, a staff of senior lecturers, made therapeutics bushes and trees. up of residents of the Arava. As • Laboratory of Natural Medicinal of today, all the foreign trainees, Compounds Promoting and upgrading from all over the world, who • Laboratory of Zebra-fish as a of existing units arrive to Israel; have lodging in model for human diseases the center of Israel, in two · Agricultural R&D (Yair Station) main locations. We have Summary – Yair station has developed already received the consent an enormous amount of and blessing of the Agriculture The complex of Man and knowledge on how to make and Foreign departments Desert is based on our food in the desert. The aim is to to transfer all the trainees’ knowledge of how to live in and enable Yair station to become hospitality and teaching from with the desert. Combining an international center for the center of Israel to the Arava. and upgrading of existing units knowledge in agriculture, agro- Transfer of all agricultural trainees and activities will be an act of tourism and preservation of the to the region will accelerate the synergism that will uplift the environment, natural landscape economic development of the achievements in the Arava. and water in the desert. Area. Such an initiative will contribute · Hatzeva Field School- the · The classrooms and lecture greatly to our main goal of Hatzeva field school is unique halls in the Field School will attracting new young citizens in its mode of actions: young additionally serve for the with various professions to live instructors, as part of the army, environmental activities with in the Arava. Man and Desert are promoting environmental youth and adults. may make a big difference for education to children and · The Scientific R&D- It is proposed the people in the Arava. adults. It is required to upgrade to upgrade the science R&D accommodation facilities in this with a laboratory serving three “Never doubt that a small group location including lecturing halls research groups of thoughtful, committed, citizens and also a “small” congress • Environmental Research can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” center. The best way to achieve and Education (ER&E) - Margaret Mead these goals is through an investor • Territorial behavior of desert rebuilding the facilities. Such birds (e.g. Arabian Babblers, reorganization would enable the Southern Grey Shrike, Rivka Ofir, PhD Senior Research Fellow Ben Gurion University facility to serve as a center to Arabian Warbler, Desert Lark, and Head of The Central Arava host delegations from all over Blackstart, etc) Branch of the Dead Sea-Arava the world that come to study • Bird migration over the Dead Science Center desert agricultural courses. Sea rift valley [email protected]

Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 17 Bringing Science to the Periphery

A Community Educational works towards integrating the their common interest. Program for Children of community, including school The idea behind the program the Central Arava children, in its endeavors. is to make maximum use of all the available resources Roughly 130 km separates Widening Horizons for the that the region has to offer the Central Arava from the Central Arava Children (people, professionals, nearest urban center, which is initiatives, institutions and why it is considered the most A new master program natural resources) instead peripheral and remote area in engineered by Regional of importing educational or the country. We recognize that Council in collaboration with enrichment frameworks from the few informal educational the Institute for Democratic outside the Arava and to and enrichment frameworks Education in Israel, the Ministry incorporate students, parents available and the difficulty of Education, the Jewish and teachers in a stimulating in bringing high quality, Agency Partnership 2000 process of growth and professional teachers to the program and representatives development. region denies our children from the community seeks to the opportunities to advance promote a new educational The only way to increase the themselves compared to their and social narrative for the number of Council residents, to peers in the more central parts Central Arava. This initiative offer multi faceted employment of Israel. As our children are has identified the region’s opportunities and to maintain our tomorrow and hold in their potent and unique qualities a leading position in the hands the key to the future (Ecology and Environment; country’s technological and evolvement of the Central High-Tech Agriculture; Tourism; agricultural frontier is to create Arava, we must give them the Humanities, Therapy Treatments a local educational and social tools to widen their horizons and Arts) and has formed 6 program that consolidates and fulfill their potential. regional reinforcement centers resources, promotes active for all ages that each focus community partnership, seeks On the other hand of the on a specific region’s core innovation and maximizes spectrum, the Central Arava is advantages. These supportive opportunities for learning. rich in unique nature preserves learning and enrichment Positioning quality education that are found in this region centers will complement the as a focal point of the region is alone. These have a great value studies in each of the local the notion that lies at the heart in advancing scientific and formal educational facilities of this initiative. technological development and will enable 700 students and serve as a platform for to choose a field that is of most The initiative will first run as original and pioneer ideas. A interest to them and to excel a pilot program during the leading Scientific R&D Center in it. It will enable the younger current school year and I will also serves as a source for generation to identify with the keep you updated about the multidisciplinary research in strengths of a particular region evolution and progress of the the Arava region in the fields of and promote their affinity and plan in the next issue. geology, ecology, hydrology, sense of obligation to it and Roy Patrick, Head of the Education climatology and more, and to other residents who share Department [email protected]

18 Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 Honeymoon among the Acacias

Newlyweds Zoe Spiegel & the Region. The stage of raising their tour the couple was given Darren Smorgon of Sydney funds for the project is coming descriptions and information Australia decided to take an to a conclusion and soon scores about the community in the unusual honeymoon vacation. of Acacia shoots, collected in Region, the agriculture, nature While most young couples the Arava, will be supplied for and the environment of the choose to indulge on a vacation planting here in the Arava. The Central Arava. They even getaway and to think only of seeds of the trees had been had a close encounter with a themselves, Darren and Zoë taken to the KKL nurseries in poisonous Saw Scaled Viper decided to donate their wedding Gilat for germination. Rumors that was captured in the Hatzeva money to the “Adopt an Acacia” of this original and pioneering Field School by Oded Keynan, a project and to visit the Arava. project reached various researcher from the field school, Along the way they got to know people and places around the who released him under an local residents, heard interesting world, including Zoe Spiegel Acacia tree. stories, were informed about the & Darren Smorgon of Sydney, Arava, and even came face to Australia, who were at the time face with a poisonous snake. contemplating how they could involve the people of Israel in the happiness and celebration of their wedding. The young couple approached Robert Schneider, the Chief Executive of JNF Australia, and he directed them to the Adopt an Acacia in the Arava project. Darren and Zoë were enthusiastic about the project and decided to donate the money they received as wedding gifts to it.

On July 19th, 2009 the couple arrived in the Arava to make We hope that more couples acquaintance with the area will discover the Arava and the Zoe Spiegel & Darren Smorgon and the project. They visited Acacia trees indigenous to the The “Adopt an Acacia” project is the plaque posted by the JNF Region and will regard this as the environmental flagship of the at Moa acknowledging their a preferred destination for their Central Arava Community and donation (see the photograph) honeymoon vacations. of the KKL. During the course and from there they visited the of the project Arava farmers agricultural R&D Yair Station, the Approval has recently been will plant Acacia trees along private nursery for desert plants received for the donation to activate the borders of their agricultural and trees, run by Hilla Elbaz the program for three years in plots and this will go some way of Moshav Hatzeva, who was cooperation with KKL, JNF Australia, to helping to rehabilitate the chosen to coordinate the project the Arava Drainage Authority, KKL delicate ecological system that on behalf of the Council, a short Nurseries in Gilat, Israel Nature and has been severely damaged view of the Sheizaf reserve and Parks Authority and the Council’s by the agricultural activities in also the Peace Road. During Environmental Unit.

Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009 19 Ezra Ravins' speech at the Jubilee Festivities

Your honor, the Minister of Agriculture, Shalom Simchon MK Yisrael Hason MK Shay Chermesh Heads of neighboring regional councils - Dov Litvinoff, Udi Gat and Shmulik Rifman Shay Ben Eliyahu Honored guests and dear residents Good evening,

Here, at the heart of the Arava, we are celebrating the 50 year anniversary of settlement in the Central Arava. Just a few hundred meters from here, by the ”Hidden Pond” and the Ein Yahav settlement, is where it all began. I tried to think what characterizes us, the residents of the Arava, and what we all have in common and was reminded of the words of Ben Gurion on his way down to Sde Boker in the 1950’s. “To start over from the beginning”. That is what Abraham, the first oleh (immigrant) to this land, did. He settled in the desert and started from the beginning- finding water and planting trees. There are two sentences etched on my mind: “It is in the Negev that the nation will be tested and in Israel and in the homeland” as stated by Ben Gurion. And “There is nothing like the magic of the Arava”, a sentence written by his student, President Shimon Peres, on his visit to the School this past February. This magic is a result of the faith, decisiveness, stubbornness and unremitting persistence of the first settlers of Ein Yahav in the face of isolation, the awesome forces of nature, disease and the pests that destroyed their crops. Nothing is can be taken for granted. Despite almost impossible circumstances, the first settlers succeeded in creating the platform for all of us in all fields of life. Ben Gurion, in his vision of the 1950’s, speaks of the economical and military call of the state of Israel to go south.

I quote him- “to cause the water of the land of Israel and its rains to flow southward, to direct the youth of the new pioneering young immigrants to the south to settle in the south. To allocate development funds mainly to the south, to establish research and science institutions, to focus Israeli scientists and researchers on studying both the latent as well as the known processes through which we will be able to make the Negev desert bloom”. We are just at the beginning of the way and the challenges are immense. To develop, expand and strengthen the settlements and to absorb the next generation and also families from around the country. Research and development, education, culture, senior citizens, medical services, agriculture, tourism and endless creative ideas… I say it’s within our grasp. Only with the same faith, determination and persistence and also working together, will we succeed in realizing our common vision of continuing the development of the area. On behalf of all of us, I would like to thank the settling parties. The Jewish Agency, the Moshavim Movement, JNF, The Settlement Division, The Ministry of Agriculture, The Ministry for the Development of the Negev and the Galilee and other government offices, JCA Fund, donors and companies. There is much still to be done.

Last but not least, a huge thank you to the great production team led by Naomi Becker, the Director of the Community Center and of course the volunteers, for organizing this evening. “The Negev will bloom and the old man will smile”. We all have a lot to be proud of.

20 Arvot Newsmagazine l December 2009