Jewish National Fund ISRAEL’S GREAT FRONTIER A mission to the Negev May 12 – 19, 2011 Mission Chair: Eugene Kay Mission Professional: Stanley Kamlet THURSDAY MAY 12 x ARRIVAL / EILAT Welcome to Israel! After individual arrivals into Eilat (today or beforehand), transfer to the hotel and check‐in**. The mission will officially begin this evening with an opening dinner at our hotel. A JNF Representative will join us for dinner and provide us with an overview of current JNF‐KKL projects and activities. Pending confirmation, the Mayor of Eilat, will join us as a guest Eilat speaker. (**flight to Eilat and transfer to hotel not included in mission price) Overnight, Dan Hotel, Eilat FRIDAY MAY 13 x EILAT This morning, like every morning during the trip, we will enjoy a delicious Israeli breakfast at our hotel. After the meal, we will meet today’s guide, Solomon’s Pillars at Timna Park Alphonso Nussbaumer, and depart for Timna Park, known as the site of King Solomon’s mines. Alphonso will give us a guided tour of this extensive geological park and nature preserve of which the planning and development was largely executed by JNF. Following lunch at Timna Park, we may choose to take an optional driving tour of Eilat or spend the afternoon at leisure. This evening, we will enjoy Shabbat dinner at our hotel. Overnight, Dan Hotel, Eilat Mushroom at Timna Park 1 SATURDAY MAY 14 x EILAT / PETRA Today will be spent at leisure in honor of Shabbat. Options for the day include indulging in a luxurious spa treatment at the hotel spa, sunbathing on the beach, swimming with the dolphins, or participating in an optional day trip to Petra, in Jordon. Spa Treatment The tour to Petra will begin at the Arava border point in Jordan and drive to the Rose City of Petra. We will enter Petra through a long, winding sandstone canyon called the “Siq,” before viewing the jaw‐dropping grandeur of the Treasury. As we walk through the heart of this ancient city, we will see the spectacular architecture carved into the mountains and pass hundreds of tombs and monuments as well as a spectacular amphitheatre. Following lunch, we’ll walk or take a camel or donkey ride back through the modern city of Petra before returning to Eilat this evening. (Additional cost, not included in mission price). Petra, Jordon Overnight, Dan Hotel, Eilat SUNDAY MAY 15 x SOUTHERN & CENTRAL ARAVA After checking out of the hotel, we will meet our guide for the rest of the trip, Neil Eisenstadt. We’ll head to the Red Mountain Therapeutic Riding Center in Kibbutz Grofit, a center that focuses on children from Israel suffering from mild Therapeutic Riding Center to severe emotional and physical handicaps. A representative from the center will lead us on a tour. We will proceed to the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies at Kibbutz Ketura, the leading graduate‐level environmental educational institute in the Middle East. Dr. Elaine Soleway will give us a tour of the facility and join us for lunch with students as well. After lunch we will drive to Zukim, JNF Sapphire Society’s keystone project. We will meet a representative for a tour of the community. As the first community Arava Institute in the area to be based on the commerce of tourism and technology instead of agriculture, Zukim is poised to become the focal point for physical and economic expansion in the Arava. Late this afternoon we will check into our hotel in Mitzpe Ramon. During dinner at the hotel this evening, we will hear from Smulik Rifman, Chairman for a number of institutions including the Council of Mayors and serves as the Mayor of the Regional Council of Ramat Negev*. Zukim Overnight, Isrotel Bereshit Hotel, Mitzpe Ramon 2 MONDAY MAY 16 x ARAVA Early this morning, we may choose to participate in an optional early morning exploration of the Maktesh Ramon (a geological feature similar to a crater) with archeology expert Yankele Shavit. After taking in the breathtaking views of the largest maktesh in the world, Yankele will escort us on an exciting jeep ride through the crater. Our jeep ride will continue along the same spice route that Ramon Crater ancient merchants traveled thousands of years ago. Afterward, we will return to the hotel to meet the rest of the group. Following breakfast, former shaliach to the Denver community, Raz Arbel, will join us at the hotel and spend the day with our group*. Our first stop today will be at the Ramon Air Force Base (pending security clearance). IDF Soldiers will greet us upon our arrival and take us on a walking tour of JNF’s Essence of Life Project. With a reservoir, park and a series of Remains of an ancient town along the Spice Route ponds adjacent to the base, this project epitomizes JNF’s commitment to water management and sustainable development. Following the tour, the Project Manager of JNF’s Wetlands Solution Project will provide a brief overview and explanation of how this project will build a unique system of constructed wetlands to purify the base’s waste water. In addition to treating waste water, the wetlands will irrigate the 7.5‐acre Ramon Park, built by JNF to improve the quality of life for the pilots and families who live there. This extensive system, the first of its kind in Israel, will be a model for Ramon Air force Base other army bases and small communities in Israel located too far from the central sewage system. We will then have the unique opportunity to see a few of the F­16 planes and Apache Helicopters stationed at the base before we continue to Boker Valley Vineyards for lunch and a wine tasting. After lunch, we’ll visit the hut of Ben Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister and end the afternoon with a choice of five swimming pools and an optional spa F‐16 plane treatment at the nearby Kibbutz Revivim’s thermal mineral spa. This evening, we will enjoy authentic Bedouin hospitality and hafla and a special Bedouin feast. Joining us as a guest speaker will be Erez Yardeni, Manager of Economic Development for Ramat HaNegev and in charge of the new hotel planned for Revivim. Overnight, Leonardo Hotel, Be’er Sheva Bedouin community 3 TUESDAY MAY 17 x CENTRAL NEGEV Early this morning, we will take an optional bus tour through Be’er Sheva, the capital of the Negev. We’ll see sites being developed as part of the River Walk master plan, such as Be’er Sheva’s Central Promenade, a 5‐mile promenade is being developed as a centerpiece of open space meant for walking, running and bicycle riding and Beit Eshel Park, a 10‐acre park that teaches the history of Beit Eshel the site as both a farm and as a community that fought bravely in the War of Independence. We’ll drive to the future site of the Pipes Bridge, which will disguise the water pipes used to funnel water into the city, create a scenic recreational spot and connect the park to the Old City. Following the tour, we’ll return to the hotel for breakfast before continuing to Ben Gurion University to see the new Advanced Technologies Park that is located adjacent to the university’s main campus. Dr. Rivka Carmi, President of the University, will explain how the park will enhance the economic growth of Pipes Bridge Be’er Sheva and the Negev region, bring technology companies to locate their operations in Be’er Sheva and attract new residents to the region. We will then continue to Aleh Negev, a state‐of‐the‐art residential facility for people with severe cognitive and developmental disabilities. Located in Ofakim, Aleh Negev provides vocational training, occupational therapy and medical facilities. A representative will lead us on a tour of the facility and show us where JNF is landscaping Aleh Negev’s grounds, preparing infrastructure for new therapy buildings and housing, and raising funds to support vital Aleh Negev enhancements including a hydrotherapy pool and a therapeutic riding camp. From here, we will continue to the Halutza Sands where several communities have been established for the Gush Katif (Gaza) evacuees. We will meet with Halutzit resident Moshe Berniker, who will explain how JNF has helped him, as well as many others, rebuild their lives. After a falafel lunch on our own, a few Halutziot farmers will lead a tour of Halutzit’s organic vegetable farms that are flourishing despite its desert Organic vegetables from Halutzit surroundings. Later this afternoon, we will visit the community of Sansana, a new community in the Negev developed by JNF and their partners, the OR Movement. After a tour of the community including the newly dedicated playground, we’ll meet several Sansana residents to learn what life is like as a true modern‐day pioneer. We’ll then return to the hotel for the evening. Overnight, Leonardo Hotel, Be’er Sheva Sansana 4 WEDNESDAY MAY 18 x CENTRAL NEGEV This morning, we will meet with Ofir Fisher, President of the OR Movement. He will lead us on a tour of the new OR Visitors Center. We’ll then continue to a new community being developed by JNF and their partners from the OR movement. During a tour, we’ll learn what life is like as a true modern day pioneer forging a new life in the Negev. Be’er Sheva River Project Following lunch, we’ll go to the Be’er Sheva River Park, the centerpiece of JNF’s efforts to provide a renaissance for the entire city and bring 250,000 new residents to the region.