November 20 - 27, 2011

Shavua Tov

Parasha

This week we read Parashat "Jayei Sarah". We met a dramatic story: a purchase, mourning and burial. In past readings of the same Parasha, my friend the Professor was reading the Torah and suddenly when he was about to read the burial of Sarah, he was speechless. The modest synagogue in a remote village, that we the traditionalists people used to pray, was in silence. The ongoing silence was disturbing and so I went to examine the cause and there was a man about 50 years old standing and crying. I panicked and asked the reason for the eruption into tears. And he did not answer. There was a great embarrassment. Long minutes passed before he could continue reading the Torah. Years later I asked him the meaning of the mystery, which he held his reading of the Torah and wept. He replied simply: "I was there". "What does it mean I was there?" I asked, and he simply said, he entered the class obituary and funeral of Sarah. He just attended the funeral of Sarah in the Cave of the Patriarchs. The status moved him to tears and tears ... Amazing to see a professor in the exact sciences, intellectual and suave - that entered the rows of the Torah really ... – And he added, that is a pity that the descendants, did not continued the family ties, as Ishmael and Isaac did and Esau and Jacob, while burying their parents. Over the years, the Cave of the Patriarchs became a hard bone of contention.

Blessed is the Professor that on his everyday life explores the light and the speed of light can see the simple story of the Nation Patriarchs. This is called: see the light at the end of the tunnel ...

Last week

This week I came back from the GA conference in Denver Colorado. I represented its proper projects in Ramat Negev and the Jewish Agency. The conference was impressive. Well organized. And it was raised by our partner, the Jewish Federation in Denver. Main messages that can be taken away: the Jews can be and should be united. In unity we are powerful and influential. Ramat Negev raised the issue of development of the Negev on the public agenda, even in distant places, and it will have important implications. Diversity of needs in the Jewish world is all so big and diverse from concern building Mikvahs in every settlement on earth to worry about refugees of war and genocide.

Israel is still important to the Jewish people and its main paste, but it's not naturally anymore. Our mutual responsibility that we have in our DNA is great, thank God. Therefore, a world of partnerships is a good platform and reinforces the "common destiny" on both sides of the Atlantic. Also stood out in the activity of the new Shlicha Michal Peleg Uzziahu, which in a short period of time became a popular and active in the community.

About Nitzana: We presented the new projects that were developed over the last year: pre-military course, refugee school "Tikkun Olam" and of course all the other important programs which take place including: MIR and MASA. In addition to these we tried to promote the ecological way of Nitzana. It is likely that in some cases, connections created will support all sort of ways. It is important to note that Gadi Eisner and representatives of the E.N.O Committee in Denver are attentive and support Nitzana activities. Recently Sarah Korenberg from Denver enlisted to the refugees project.

In the Jewish Social Center (Jewish Community Center) I met Noam Dahari. Noam grew up in Nitzana, became a social guide in the Jewish center. Noam organized the event in memory of Yitzhak Rabin and invited co-workers and the delegation from the Negev. A great honor to see the  educational practice that came from a Nitzana graduate continues to influence even among the wider Jewish world.

Pre-military course parents day was impressive. Was a good attendance of most parents. The parents were identified with the goals of the course and satisfied with its integration with Nitzana. Compliments to the course team.

We sent the conceptual ideas for the program writing of a community neighborhood for an order of the City building plan updated. The Council (Shira Mor-Yosef and Uzi Habshush) are leading the process.

Starting implementation of a recycling program in art. Erella Levy began working in the field with various groups including students of Nitzana's programs and volunteers. Following the initial grant from Switzerland - through Keren Hayesod-UIA, Karen Kellerman took part in a Keren Hayesod-UIA conference in Switzerland and introduced the subject to the donors. Feedback was positive and according to the financial team an additional grant is on the way for the expansion project. Thanks to Karen and Talia sapphire. The program is divided into the physical construction of the ecological and artistic center of the village and the recycling center and educational programs in art and ecology with the children of the South.

Isaac Mofsik agreed with donor Victor gas, the contribution of $50,000 each year. The donation goals is scholarships for students participating in the activities at the "Empowerment center". Make a lasting contribution over five years.

 Oleg Dobkin is on a short trip to former Soviet Union in an effort to market our MASA plans. Oleg also promote the possibility of writing and developing of a MASA program for engineers and converting them into solar energy engineers. The subject is in formation and construction.

This is the place to commend the effort of the campaign team recruit more apprentices program has already begun. Remember that the arrival of some participants, who signed and were supposed to join, was affected due to the security event was on the Egyptian border (near Eilat). Out of 55 subscribers reached only 25 and currently a large effort to get to 30 participants. Last year there were 21 participants. The name of the program goes ahead, which helps the recovery. The effort to reach next year in 2012 to 50 participants.

And more blessings of little things but they are important ... A big thanks to Gil Aviman filled the place during my absence and it went very good.

In the coming week

On Sunday 11/20/2011 we will host the Friends of Israel in Switzerland. Program will be sent. Then meeting with representatives of Egged Tours to strengthen the marketing and sales of school trips. This is an opportunity to mark satisfaction on the good work of our marketing manager Hilik who works well with Uri and there are preliminary results. Hope this momentum will continue.

On Tuesday I'll travel with Isaac Mofsik to visit the Contributor Mr. Guez in Netanya.

Get ready for the Torch Race. Preliminary Document task was released. I am asking all Nitzana's  departments to prepare this beautiful educational event, this year marking the 15th.

On Wednesday Asher Grinbaum and Iftach Kramer will arrive with a Ma'ariv Representative to coverage of the village.

Nature in our region

The difference between the Sinai and Israel.
Whoever looks at satellite images of the Negev, will see very clearly the difference between the ground color of the Negev compared to the Sinai. Noticeable gap near the border between Israel and Egypt that it's possible to trace the border fence. One wonders why there are such significant differences. This gap is reinforced in the Western Negev and in the Halutza Sands. In the Western Negev this is due to intensive agricultural cultivation on the Israeli side while in the Egyptian side there is a real desert, but the interesting difference is in the sands. Sands on the Israeli side are more stable because there is no grazing or "over-grazing" as the Sinai Desert. Without grazing, over the years developed into a hard cover on the sand as in the language of the experts called "Crest". The covering is a membrane made ​​of lichens which stick the sand grains to form a stable layer. While in the Sinai this membrane was broken because of grazing which is causing shifting sands. There the sand color is lighter while in our side is darker...

Lova Eliav

Radioactivity caution.
During our good old days with the Egyptians, came to Nitzana the "colorful" Egyptian Ambassador Mohammed Bassiouni. He also planted a tree in the Grove of Peace. After the planting Lova took him to the sand dunes where the Hebrew University of Jerusalem holds experiments. These researchers are researching also the layer of "Crest" that I mentioned earlier. To prevent theft of valuable equipment that was left for research in the field, they made a warning sign of "Radioactivity caution". Lova explained the wonders of the study and Bassiouni was interested in the sign of radioactivity. He asked to be photographed by the sign several times ...

It was not long since, and the Egyptian government complained against the Israeli government on radioactive experiments on the Sinai border, which endangers the Egyptian side ... The proof was based on Ambassador Bassiouni images.

Lova told the story with a wonderful humor. Although he dealt with top serious matters he always kept his sense of humor and a lot.

Lova's friends and those who cherish his memory mark his 90th birthday this week.

Shavua tov,

David Palmach