The Negev Challenge

Vision, dedication, pioneering spirit – that’s what it takes to build a miracle in the desert.

 

For over a century, the JNF has joined with people like you to build the land of Israel. Today we face the challenge of a
lifetime – developing the Negev, the largest region in Israel with the smallest population. Progress begins with the birth of a water supply, the building of roads, houses and schools – the establishment of a community.

 

Our vision is to make the Negev green and prosperous; a place where people choose to live.   Become a partner in this vital project to provide a viable future for the new pioneers of the Negev. Support the new farming communities in the southern Halutza Sands near Egypt's borders; help refurbish the essential reservoirs of the northern Negev.

 

With your help, JNF is already supporting life in the desert.   Three reservoirs have been built, one existing reservoir has     been refurbished and work is starting on a second.   A medical centre has been built, two schools have been completed, trees have been planted and support is ongoing for a state-of-the-art residential village for the severely disabled.   We have worked with the Or Movement to create seven new communities. 

 

Visit the desert sands of the Negev and you can see the future of Israel emerging. Will you join us in helping to meet this challenge? Make a donation online here, or call 020 8732 6100.

 

Here are some of the projects we are currently supporting in the Negev:

Haluzit JNF is supporting a remarkable community of farming pioneers at Haluzit in the Northern Negev who have seen their communities dismantled twice in the name of peace; now they are building again from nothing, for a third time.

Shomriya JNF has helped to complete a school in the new town of Shomriya in the northern Negev, home to some 100 dedicated families who are creating a new home for themselves having been uprooted from Atzmona in Gaza.

Givot Bar The first thirty families have moved from their temporary JNF caravans into newly-built homes in this fledgling community (part of the Or Movement) near Be'ersheva.  The community's synagogue was donated by JNF UK and our supporters. The average age of the adults in Givot Bar is thirty-five and there are 80 children. The town that was only a dream in 2004 is expected to grow to 500 families by 2011.

Sansana A new promenade ('tayelet') has been built in this new desert town, close to Beersheva. The town is home to 65 families including some 250 children and the plan is to grow the community to 300 families. The promenade is dedicated to the memories of the two brothers of one of the first new settlers, both of whom lost their lives at an early age.