Planting a “coral nursery” in the Red Sea to restore a degraded reef B'Yachad · 42 East 69th Street New York, NY 10021-5093 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage E-mail us at [email protected] PAID PPCO A MEssagE FROM OUR PRESIDENT STANLEY M. CHESLEY 16 The power­­ — the secret if you will — of a non-profit is not J that it holds the answers to a E crisis or a problem in its own WI S hands, but that in its nimblest H NATI incarnation it brings those is- sues to the table where the answers are found. ON As a non-governmental organization with roots AL F more than a century deep, JNF has proven itself a leader in bringing people together and getting the UN 14 –15 17 26 job done. We do not act unilaterally; we are strong and creative, we understand the value of partner- D ship, and we have a proven track record. 3 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Take the Negev for example. Ben Gurion’s dream was languishing until we took the initia- www.jnf.org 11 City of Courage Dear Reader, tive. Only a few short years into JNF’s Blueprint Executive Pastor Dan Hicks (left) and JNF-KKL Rabbi Yerahmiel Negev, and Be’er Sheva is already experiencing a Thirteen-year-old Jessi Glueck writes about her family’s visit to Sderot As the rise and fall of oil prices continues to make headlines, our attention here at JNF is Barylka celebrate together after conducting a prayer near the reservoir. Photo credit: Michael Huri renaissance, hundreds of families have moved to focused on a different natural resource: water. 12 The JNF Parsons Water Fund new communities for quality of life, businesses are Israel is currently suffering from the worst drought in 80 years. Look inside to learn how sprouting up, and existing communities are feel- Investing in innovative solutions to Israel’s water shortage JNF’s 200 reservoirs help provide water to 1.5 million Israelis, and why we have committed to California Christians Lift Israel’s Spirits and ing a renewed sense of pride. Of course we are not building 40 more over the next five years. 13 Q&A: Noah Kinarti doing it alone. One of the most exciting aspects of JNF leads the way in developing and funding creative water recycling technologies to Water Level by Dedicating JNF Reservoir achievement is sharing it with others who contrib- An interview with one of Israel’s leading water experts make every drop count, including reservoirs that supply recycled water for agricultural BY SImon GrIVer ute to the success. Aleh Negev, The Arava Institute, irrigation, constructed wetlands that purify wastewater naturally, and a water treatment 14 A River Will Run Through It Ben Gurion University, The OR Movement, Kib- system that will fill Be’er Sheva’s dry riverbed with flowing water year-round. Page 12 With water levels at their lowest ebb in the country’s history, and poor rainfalls in recent winters, Israel’s water authori- butzim Lotan and Yahel, Negev municipalities, the The Negev capital of Be’er Sheva is undergoing a renaissance, thanks introduces a new initiative, the JNF Parsons Water Fund, that will make even more of these an 80-strong delegation from a Los Angeles Christian com- ties are increasingly utilizing innovative technological Be’er Sheva River Park Authority, and the Israeli to a 1,700-acre River Park springing to life in the city’s center unique solutions possible. munity has dedicated a new reservoir in Northern Israel methods, such as desalination and recycling wastewater, government are all working with us to make the JNF has also helped to address a water crisis of a different kind – the deterioration of the built by Jewish National Fund-Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael. to meet the country’s water shortfalls. The reservoirs are 16 Watch Your Garden Grow…Underwater dream a reality. That’s collaboration and that’s the coral reefs in the Red Sea. Turn to page 16 to read about “coral reef gardening,” a method The Dovrat–Scott Bauer Memorial Reservoir in the a vital part of the recycling process for storing the treated power of JNF. Israel leads the way in coral reef restoration developed in Israel that is being shared around the world. Jezreel Valley near Nazareth will hold up to 450,000 cu- and purified wastewater before it is used for agriculture. Our power also lies in our agility. In Sderot, we We hope you enjoy this issue. Have something to say? Don’t be shy! Send your feedback bic meters of purified wastewater to irrigate the fields of Efi Stenzler, world chairman of JNF-KKL told the Cali- 17 JNF National Conference saw a need and we swooped in. We could not stand to [email protected]. Kibbutz Dovrat. The Church on the Way in Van Nuys, fornian visitors that the new reservoir was vital for Israeli by while we heard stories of the trauma and long- Natan Sharansky headlines the annual gathering in Phoenix, AZ Los Angeles, California donated the $1.25 million facility farmers. “Many of Israel’s fields are being left fallow,” ex- Regards, lasting effects the years of terror have inflicted on through Israel Christian Nexus. plained Stenzler, “because the farmers cannot afford the 26 Israel Beyond the Guide Book B’Yachad Editorial Staff this border town. So in record time we are creat- The donation of the reservoir was the initiative of Dr. cost of water. This reservoir means that the kibbutz can ing a secure indoor recreation center. In a few short A look at an off-the-beaten-path tourist destination: the museum at Scott Bauer, the late pastor of the Church on the Way. continue to work the land.” months, the children of Sderot will have something Ammunition Hill, with its brand new City-Line Amphitheatre Tragically, just two weeks after announcing his commu- Pastor Dan Hicks, executive pastor of the 12,000 mem- to smile about. That’s being nimble and that’s the JEWISH NATIONAL FUND (JNF) began in 1901 collecting coins in blue boxes to purchase land and nity’s commitment to fund the project in 2003, the then ber Church on the Way, said that Dr. Bauer saw water as power of JNF. return the Jewish people to their homeland. In over 107 years, JNF has evolved into a global en- 49-year-old pastor collapsed and died from a brain aneu- the ultimate symbol of God’s purity. “Scott knew what he As for the water crisis that looms over Israel, we vironmental leader and become the central address for partnering with the land and people of rysm while delivering a sermon from his pulpit. stood for,” he recalled, “and he stood for the State of Israel. are proud that our work to date has precluded a ca- Israel. JNF has planted 240 million trees; built over 1,000 parks and recreational areas; constructed Eleven members of Dr. Bauer’s family attended the He had so much love in his heart for the People of God and tastrophe. But that is not enough. I am thrilled to security roads; educated students around the world about Israel; created new communities so that dedication ceremony in Israel including his wife Rebec- we are fulfilling his vision in completing this project, which announce the JNF Parsons Water Fund (see page 12), Jews from around the world would have a place to call home; discovered new means of growing ca, three children and their spouses, his parents Dolores will contribute to the peace and prosperity of Israel.” a most creative and visionary way to address the fu- plants under arid conditions, bringing green to the desert; and built over 200 reservoirs and water and Bill, and two newborn granddaughters — Hannah (6 Israel consumes about 2 billion cubic meters of water an- ture. That’s leadership and that’s the power of JNF. recycling centers, increasing Israel’s water supply by 10%. Today, JNF is supporting Israel’s newest months) and Lillian (4 months). nually of which more than half – 1.1 billion cubic meters – is In this economic climate, many of you must be generation of pioneers by bringing life to the Negev Desert, Israel’s last frontier. “Scott always loved Israel so deeply,” explained Rev. needed by agriculture. Some 75% of the water used by Israel’s wondering what kinds of investments you should A United Nations NGO, JNF sponsors international conferences on desertification, shares af- Rebecca Bauer. “He believed in Israel. He prayed for Is- farmers is now derived from recycled wastewater — sewage make today. By investing in JNF, you not only help forestation techniques, and funds research on arid land management. JNF is a registered 501(c)(3) rael and he acted for Israel. That there is something in his and industrial effluent — which is purified to potable stan- NEW LOOK! Thank you to everyone who answered build the land of Israel, your impact is felt for gen- organization and continuously earns top ratings memory here is especially significant.” dards but only used to water fields. Use of recycled water WWW.JNF.ORG HAS A erations to come. That’s connecting and that’s the from charity overseers. For more information on The Dovrat facility is one of more than 200 such reser- frees up natural water sources for domestic consumption. surveys, gave feedback, and helped us create a brand new website. power of JNF. JNF, call 888-JNF-0099 or visit WWW.JNF.ORG. voirs built by JNF, which contain about 16% of Israel’s water Located in the picturesque Jezreel Valley, the new reser- reserves.