The Negev towns of Arad, Dimona, Yerucham and Ofakim were founded by the Israel government in the 1950s to absorb the wave of immigrants from North Africa, Egypt, Iran and later, Ethiopia. Be’er Sheva, a city with a glorious past, has become a community that, aside from Ben Gurion University, has seen little or no growth for decades. Today, these towns suffer from neglect, with high unemployment and low self-image. JNF is working to improve the quality of life for residents of these forgotten cities through a variety of programs.
- JNF’s Be’er Sheva River Park project is changing the face of this city and restoring it to its former glory as the Capitol of the Negev. Learn more…
- JNFdeveloped a vast Central Park in Ofakim, complete with picnic areas, playgrounds, and a restaurant. The park provides a source of recreation for all residents, and upgrades to the park are underway, including plans for a lake and promenades.
- Aleh Negev, a state-of the-art residential facility for young adults with severe cognitive and physical disabilities has opened outside of Ofakim, providing a dire need for an underserved population. The ground-breakingf acility has begun to employ doctors, nurses, therapists, groundskeepers,and is providing hundreds of new jobs to an area with chronic unemployment. Learn more…
- JNF is building a beautiful new Youth Center in Yerucham to fulfill a pressing local need.
- A state-of-the-art waste water treatment plant has been completed in Yerucham, which will provide water for the Yeruham Lake and irrigation for public gardens.
JNF is working with the city of Arad on environmental issues as it strives to become a green community.
- The Negev Employment Center has identified over 900 jobs since its opening. Its databank is matching up area employers with employees.
- In Be’er Sheva, a summer internship program was created in conjunction with Ben Gurion University to match up students with jobs and “keep the brains in the Negev,” showing students that employment opportunities exist in the area. The program has been a tremendous success over the last two years, with 140 students participating. To learn how you can support a student internship, click here…
- Kibbutz Shomriya, rundown and almost completely abandoned, was given new life by JNF and now houses Gaza evacuees from Atzmona. Olive trees and crops are growing where the earth was recently barren.
- JNF is raising funds to support new chapters of Hugey Sayarut, or Green Horizons, a program for teens that builds leadership skills and instills a love for nature. To learn how you can support a new chapter for a Negev community, click here…
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Get involved and Donate to Strengthening Existing Communities. For naming opportunities call your local office at 888-JNF-0099.
