Or Movement

The founders of the Or Movement are putting into practice their belief that developing new communities and expanding existing ones in less populated areas is a mission of national importance. Israel's long-term security and economic survival is dependent upon its ability to truly settle all areas within its borders. Development of these regions will lead to better demographic distribution, improved national security and a higher standard of living for Israelis. It will also advance national objectives and positively impact all of Israeli society. Founded in 2000, the Or Movement's mission is to populate and develop the Negev and the Galilee regions.

To help fulfil its pledge to bring life to the desert, JNF has supported development at three settlements founded by the Or Movement:

Sansana

Sansana was founded in 1999 on Israel's Independence Day. The name "Sansana" means 'basis of the date's palm' and is featured in the Song of Songs. Sansana is mentioned in the Bible as one of the settlements belonging to the tribe of Judah from the period of Joshua. Today, the new town, 15 km northeast of Be'er Sheva, is currently home to 65 families including some 250 children with a goal of growing to 300 families.

To help establish firm roots for the community and to beautify the area, JNF sponsored a promenade ('tayelet'), dedicated to the memory of two brothers whose sister was one of the first settlers in the new town.

Givot Bar

Located some 20 km from Beer Sheva, the first thirty families moved from their temporary JNF caravans into newly-built permanent homes in January 2004. These were families looking for a challenge: on a personal and national level, an opportunity to realize a dream - to design and build from scratch, with their own hands and vision a new community and village in Israel. In pursuit of this dream, these young families are prepared to 'rough it' for several months - tackling extra shifts at guard duty and living in cramped caravans on an open hillside. In the next ten years, the community hopes to grow to 600 families.

In these modern times, it is refreshing and heartening to follow the story of Givot Bar - the story of young adults literally building their country and sacrificing present comfort for a brighter future. The synagogue donated by JNF UK has just been dedicated and the village of Givot Bar is rapidly taking shape, but we still have a lot of work to accomplish. We hope you will help us.

Kramim

Pioneer families from the north of Israel are moving to Kibbutz Kramim, to help swell the numbers of people living there. The kibbutz was established 1980, but until it was 'privatised' in 2006, had only 15 families living on it. Since then, another fifteen families have joined and JNF has provided pre-fabricated homes for them to live in while they build permanent homes. Ultimately, the kibbutz hopes to be 100 families strong. The community is based near Beer Sheva.

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