The term "America's Mayor" has been used before, but now, thanks to JNF's involvement, the actions as "Israel's Mayor" are being felt in major ways, all around a town in the Negev.
Since 2015, the city of Arad has been run by a man named Nisan Ben Hamo. During that time, significant improvements and upgrades have changed the face of this city that overlooks the Dead Sea. These transformations, in large part, can be traced back to the partnership forged between Ben Hamo and the Jewish National Fund during the early part of his first term.
Fast-forward seven years and JNF has a task force dedicated to Arad, with a handful of JNF Future members, who like me, believe in the good that's coming from this Israeli politician's hard work. I saw the fruits of his labor firsthand during my 2019 trip to Israel on JLIM, a select mission for young professionals who are active within the organization.
While we were in town, the mayor and his staff took us to the renovated conservatory, which, with JNF's help, is coming back to life following a prominent tenure as one of the nation's premier destinations for musical performances. We then viewed a brand new park, filled with lush greenery, pristine benches and expansive awnings, to protect people from the scorching desert sun. Just years before, this space was anything but picturesque, but after money, cement and sod were poured into it, citizens now have a central place to gather for recreation and relaxation.
I refer to Mayor Ben Hamo as "Israel's Mayor," because in essence he is what all politicians would ideally be: someone who backs up words with actions and produces results. You've heard the saying "I’m not just the CEO, I'm also a client"? This notion applies to him too, as he grew up in Arad and wanted to return to make his hometown a more desirable place to live.
Now, following in his footsteps, are young men and women who have decided to come back and raise families in Arad, necessitating the construction of new homes and apartments, some just within view of the park.
The mayor has been credited with a clear vision to put Arad back on the map, but he needed someone who shared his passion for making the desert bloom. This is why JNF-USA and Arad make the perfect shidduch, or pairing, as JNF is in the midst of its Blueprint Negev initiative, a strategic plan to double the population of southern Israel, bringing a total of 500,000 new residents to the Negev. With the addition and restoration of recreational amenities such as the park and conservatory, in addition to the building of new housing, people are being given a reason to either relocate to or move back to Arad.
With plans in the works to put up a boutique hotel overlooking the Dead Sea, and the completion of a 25-mile stretch of the national bike trail connecting Arad to Masada, those in Israel and around the world now have cause to visit this hidden gem of a town, thanks to this purposeful partnership.
Those on the Arad Task Force have the unique honor of attending regularly scheduled virtual meetings with the mayor to discuss the city's progress toward becoming one of the premier destinations in the Negev. To be able to assist in some of the strategic planning involved in these endeavors is quite fulfilling, as your donations go beyond mere monetary, stretching to your knowledge and skills.
Now that Israel is back open for business and tourism, I am excited to once again step foot in this great place with my fellow task force members and see all the wonderful improvements that have taken shape since our last visit. If you would like more information on Arad or are interested in joining the task force, you can email JNF professionals Eric Goldstein or Anna Milstein.
