Southern Israel: from the Judean Desert to Eilat
Southern Israel is divided into four central areas:
- The Dead Sea & The Judean Desert
- The Central Negev & the Makhteshim
- The Northern Negev
- Southern Negev & Eilat Mountains
We will focus on the main sites and settlements throughout the Southern region.
We will learn about the history, heritage, and geography of the region, as well as the environmental and community projects that KKL-JNF runs in the area.
KKL-JNF Projects
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The Park of Courage: Sderot’s Central Park
Produced by JNF-KKL, this video [03:43] illustrates the building plan for The Park of Courage (Park HaG’vurah), in Sderot. For over 14 years the residents of Sderot have been living
KKL-JNF’s Acquisition of Land in the Negev Desert (1941-1950)
From the website of KKL-JNF, this article details the organization’s activities from 1941-1950, focusing on the the establishment and support of new settlements in the Negev Desert, formally establishing the
KKL-JNF: Making the Desert Bloom
Produced by KKL-JNF, this video (04:40) shows how JNF’s Australia’s contributions to innovative water solutions in the Negev Desert have supported the growth of agriculture, economy and community in Southern
KKL- JNF Projects: Environment, Nature, Education
Produced by KKL-JNF Worldwide, this video (03:19) introduces three JNF Australia projects in Israel: a playground and landscaping proejcts in the agricultural community of Merhav Am in the Negev, a
KKL-JNF Constructs Fortified Schools to Protect Youth from Deadly Rocket Fire
This video [04:50], published by KKL-JNF, shows the Sha’ar HeNegev fortified high school, built with the generous support of KKL-JNF Australia in 2012. This school provides teenagers with a safe
Sderot Indoor Recreation Center
Produced by JNF, this video (02:22) introduces the Secure Indoor Recreation Center, a uniquely designed protected indoor playground built in Sderot through generous donations from the Jewish National Fund in
E-Learning
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Sites & Regions in southern Israel
The Dead Sea & The Judean Desert Northern Dead Sea Southern Dead Sea & the Judean Desert The Central Negev & the Makhteshim Mitzpe Ramon & the Western Negev The
The Yatir Field and Forest Center: Where Desert and Forest Meet
KKL-JNF’s Yatir Field and Forest Center was established in the heart of the Yatir Forest, the largest planted forest in the Middle East, and the meeting point of the Judaean
Dead Sea Drying Up, but it’s Not the First Time
The Dead Sea is drying up, but drilling shows that this might not be the first time. An article from the Earth Institute at Columbia University describes the massive drilling project
Kibbutz Nir Am: Life Under Threat
In this i24NEWS segment (02:23), Dana Bar-On from Kibbutz Nir Am describes how residents attempt to go on living a normal life in the pastoral community, despite the constant threat of
Living with Terror Rockets, Tunnels, Balloons & Kites in Kibbutz Nir Am
This heartbreaking video (03:01) reveals the reality of living under the constant threat of terror attacks in Kibbutz Nir Am, which has suffered from years of rocket attacks, underground terrorist
Moshe Smilansky: A Zionist Pioneer & Author
From the website of the Institute for the Translation of Hebrew Literature, this short article provides basic biographical information about Moshe Smilansky (1874-1953), a pioneer of the First Aliyah and
Supporting Israel’s Innovative Water Solutions
Produced by the JNF, this video (05:54) looks at the organization’s contributions to innovative solutions to Israel’s water crisis, including the treatment, recycling, and collection of waste and runoff water, aquifer
A Brief History of Kibbutz Nir Am
This short article from the Jewish Virtual Library provides historical background on Kibbutz Nir Am, an agricultural community located close to the Gaza border. The article tells of the founding
An IDF Soldier’s Account from Gaza
In this clip from the IDF (4:21), Lieutenant Adam Landau of the 188th Armored Brigade describes his firsthand experiences during Operation Protective Edge. The operation began in the wake of
Heroes of Operation Protective Edge
Meet some of the heroes behind 2014’s Operation Protective Edge in this clip (5:35) from the Friends of the IDF. In June 2014, Hamas terrorists kidnapped and murdered three Israeli
Life for Israelis Near the Gaza Border
Life for Israelis near the Gaza border is no picnic to say the least, as this clip (4:31) from The Watchman so vividly describes. Fear of rocket barrage has become
Sderot Residents Live in Fear of Gaza Rockets
Get a glimpse into what life is like for residents of the Gaza envelope in this clip (3:20) from VOA News. In times of conflict and unrest, residents of cities
Supporting Communities Living Near the Gaza Border
This clip (4:16) gives an overview of just a handful of the many ways that KKL-JNF supports Gaza border communities that are most vulnerable to Hamas rocket fire. In times
Pushing Back the Desert in Be’er Sheva
In this clip (5:54), learn how KKL-JNF is literally turning back time and pushing back the deserts of the Be’er Sheva region. Pairing ancient water harvesting and soil conservation techniques
A Day in Be’er Sheva River Park
This video (01:11) presents some of the highlights of the restored Be’ersheva River Park, from a children’s park to historical sites to a giant outdoor amphitheatre. For more information about
Be’er Sheva River Park: A Jewel in Israel’s Desert
In Hebrew with English subtitles, this video (01:00) shows how JNF-KKL’s Beersheva River Park restoration project has transformed a garbage dump into a flourishing park, realizing David Ben Gurion’s visions
JNF Blueprint Negev: Be’er Sheva
This video (04:17) highlights JNF’s commitment to transform Be’ersheva through investment in the environment, culture, people and infrastructure of the city. From the biblical history of Abraham in the area through
SWITCH: Employment Opportunities for Bedouins in the Negev
In the Idan Hanegev Industrial Park near Rahat, the most populated Bedouin community in Israel, KKL-JNF and its partners have built a vocational training centre to empower the Negev’s Bedouin
Top 10 Things To Do In The Negev Desert
This article from Culture Trip reveals some of the best attractions to visit in the Negev Desert, including archaeological sites, geological phenomenons, historical monuments, culinary and cultural experiences, nature reserves,
10 Reasons Why Hiking in the Negev Should Be on Your Bucket List
From the website of The Green Backpackers desert hostel and hikers base camp in Mitzpe Ramon, this blog post points out some of the unique cultural, geological, and technical factors that
Masada: Breathtaking Views & A Dramatic Tale
This video (02:03) shows excellent aerial footage of the ancient mountaintop fortress of Masada, along with an brief onscreen retelling of the story behind this archaeological site.
The Bedouins of the Negev: A Population Transforming
This very short article presents a snapshot of Israel’s Bedouin population, including a summary of the complex cultural changes underway in their society.
The Siege of Masada: What Really Happened?
Produced by Andrew Henry, a Ph.D student in Religious Studies and creator of the Religion for Breakfast YouTube channel, this informative video (08:32) tells the story of Masada, one of the most
How Do We Tell the Story of Masada? A Window into Modern Israel
This fascinating, animated video (04:04) briefly describes the history of Masada, with an emphasis on the role the alleged mass suicide of Jewish rebels on this desert mountaintop fortress has played
The Ashalim Solar Energy Plant in the Negev
This video clip [01:28] from the YouTube Channel NoCamels, which reports on cutting edge Israeli innovations, shows Israel’s “Solar Valley” a massive clean energy “farm” in the Negev Desert. In 2018,
Brothers in War- The Anzacs Who Fought for The Jewish People
This video [04:01], from the YouTube channel anzacconnection, is the first in a series of documentary films covering the untold story of the Australian and New Zealander army corps (Anzac) in
1956- Rare Interviews with Ben-Gurion, Nasser, and King Hussein from 1956
This rare video from 1956 (6:57) taken from the YouTube channel SetFree68 was initially prepared as a television broadcast. Interviews with Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Jordanian
Ecological Tourism in Israel– Is There Such a Thing?
This video [02:42] shows the unique center for ecological tourism in Kibbutz Lotan, in the Arava Desert. Today, the tourist industry leaves a large and heavy carbon footprint on the environment.
The “Derech HaShalom” Hiking Trail in the Arava
This slideshow [00:48] from the Arava Tichona Regional Council provides a peek of the beautiful hiking trail, “Derech HaShalom,” opened in the 1990’s with the help of KKL-JNF Australia, Canada, and
The International Film Festival in Tzukim –Modern Pioneers Dream Big
Tzukim was established in the Arava in 1996, as a pioneering yishuv. It wasn’t just any agricultural community, as its members had a deep yearning to connect to the land
Agriculture Without Boundaries in the Arava
This video [02:36] shows the Arava International Center for Agricultural Training (AICAT), which brings together more than 1,200 students from 18 different countries around the world, every year. The participants learn
The Arava – From Agricultural Innovation to Educational Innovation
This video, [03:16] from the KKL-JNF YouTube channel, relates the story behind the Environmental Science Education Center, which was established with the support of KKL-JNF Australia. This learning center offers
The Pioneering Movement in the Arava is Alive and Kicking
This video, [03:18] from the KKL-JNF’s YouTube channel, offers a glimpse into the “Vidor Center: A Window for Arava Agriculture,” which celebrates the Arava as a global leader in agricultural
Renewing the Days of Old in the Arava
This video [02:30], published by the YouTube channel “Israel,” illustrates how an entire history can be found inside of one small seed. The archaeologist,Yigal Yadin, known for leading the excavation
The Nabateans: The Ancient Merchants
Erick Stakelbeck of The Watchman brings us this informative clip (4:48) explaining that in the times of Jesus, there existed an ethnic group called the Nabateans. They had a unique economic
Can the Disappearing Dead Sea Come Back to Life?
This clip (6:18) from i24NEWS introduces the virtues of the Dead Sea — its uniqueness as the lowest point on Earth, its coveted mineral-enriched mud, and its staggeringly beautiful rock and salt
The Demise of the Dead Sea and its Effects on the Surrounding Residents
This article, authored by Elisa Oddone and published on the PBS science news site, Nova, discusses the environmental problems connected to the quickly shrinking Dead Sea, and how its demise will
Ein Tzukim: The Secret of the Dead Sea
This clip (7:50) from popular YouTube channel Sergio & Rhoda in Israel introduces a side of the Dead Sea that is unfamiliar to most. While most of us associate the Dead Sea
Is the Red Sea-Dead Sea Canal project still happening?
This Jordan Times article by Hussam Hussein investigates the relevance of the Red Sea-Dead Sea Canal project. The canal draws water from the Dead Sea into the Red Sea, aiding agriculture in
David Ben-Gurion — The ‘Old Pioneer’
This clip (1:16), taken from the British Pathé, shows one of our nation’s fathers shoulder to shoulder with young boys in the Kibbutz of Sde Boker — working with them, dining
David Ben-Gurion’s ‘One Million Plan’
This clip of David Ben-Gurion (6:23) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem explores the risk and opportunities of Ben-Gurion’s famed One Million Plan. Even before the establishment of the State of
The Blaustein-Ben-Gurion Agreement
This is what’s known as the Blaustein-Ben-Gurion Agreement — a most significant document in the development of Israel-Diaspora relations. Between the years of 1948 and 1952, when the image of
Ben-Gurion’s Life in the Negev
Taken from the YouTube channel ‘Look’, this video (7:07) introduces a humble side of Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion. There is much talk of Ben-Gurion’s modesty and his choice
Music
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Code Red Song – Helping Children Deal with Terror
In this clip (1:14), watch the amazing way children of Sderot respond to a Code Red siren in their school. As the various classes make their way to their safe
Children of Sderot by Tim Davis and Sha-Ron
Children of Sderot (4:13) is a heartfelt outpouring of sympathy for the children of Israel’s border communities who grow up under constant threat of rocket barrage. Sderot is hardly over
Prayer of the Mothers by Yael Deckelbaum and Women Wage Peace
In Prayer of the Mothers (5:20), Israeli artist Yael Deckelbaum pairs with Jewish and Palestinian women of the Women Wage Peace movement, singing together their joint prayer for peace. The grassroots
What Else?
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Yanchik Hill Memorial & Lookout
This post presents two photographs of the Yanchik Hill memorial and lookout point located outside of Kibbutz Nir Am. The first photograph features a sculpture of Yaakov (Yanchik) Gavri (1916-1986),
The Assaf Siboni Observatory
Produced by a tourist to the site, this video (01:23) presents the view from the Assaf Siboni lookout point, located near Kibbutz Nir Am, which provides an excellent vantage point over
Unit 101: Israel’s First Special Ops Unit
This informative clip (6:25) introduces Israel’s first special operations commando unit, Unit 101, established in 1953. Led by IDF commander Ariel Sharon and made up of hand-picked soldiers (by invitation
The 1955 Gaza Raid
Learn about Operation Black Arrow – Israel’s 1955 counter-terrorism raid in Gaza – in this quick read from the Center for Israel Education. In the years from 1948 to 1955, many Israeli
A Day in Be’er Sheva River Park
This video (01:11) presents some of the highlights of the restored Be’ersheva River Park, from a children’s park to historical sites to a giant outdoor amphitheatre. For more information about
