Neot Semedar

In the southern part of the Negev, some 40 miles from Eilat, an unusual community has set up its home. The members try to live their lives in a way that leaves the least impact on the land. Their economy is based largely on agriculture, with fish farming and vegetables complementing 150 dunams of organically cultivated olive orchards. All members and their children join in harvesting the olives manually. Olive oil is produced in a cold press and has been given the highest grade by Israel's Olive Council.

Members have built an Arts Center with 14 workshops in fields such as Stained glass, ceramics, textile, wood and metals. The unique "desert-facility" is insulated with mud bricks and features a desert cooling tower for "air conditioning".

By planting trees around the kibbutz, JNF was able to fulfil two of its goals; to continue to make Israel a greener place and to bring life to the Negev Desert. In 2009, a forest at the Kibbutz was dedicated to the memory of the late Emanuel Rosengarten. Seeing trees thrive in this arid area is miraculous and brings an appreciation of how modern technology is benefitting nature.

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