Campus Negev!

We got back last week from a week-long trip to the Negev, which is the desert in southern Israel. It takes up about 70% of the land in Israel, but there are very few people who live there because it is a desert and there is very little civilization set up there. The trip was AWESOME-I learned a lot and had so much fun with the people I was with. Some highlights:

1. We spent a day learning about Bedouins. First, we went to "Ohel HaShalom," the tent of peace, and spoke to Bedouins who told us about Bedouins who go to the army. It is usually looked down upon in their culture to join the army, but there is an organization that helps them in the army if they decide to go. We also learned there about different specifics in their culture, such as the whole idea of hospitality (it is a rule that they must prepare tea or coffee for each guest they have), and how they live together in tribes with one man who is responsible for telling them what they can or cannot do. We visited about four Bedouin homes during the week, and we heard a different point of view from all of them, which was also really cool.

2. We learned a lot about what people who live in the Negev think about the Zionist idea of having people move from the cities to the desert in order to habilitate all the land that Israel has. Most people who live there told us that they moved because they love the sand, the peace and quiet, the security, etc. They have to drive an hour and a half each way to take their children to school, but it is worth it to them because they feel that they have a better quality of life. This is interesting because most people seem to think that habilitating the Negev is a purely Zionist idea, but the people who are putting it into action did not move because of Zionism.

3. We went on an all-day hike in Ein Akev, which was amazing. We did a little solo-hike, and it was great to feel alone in the middle of the huge desert. We also took a break to go swimming in a FREEZING spring before lunch-it was probably the coldest I've ever been in my life! You couldn't breathe as soon as you got in, and within a minute I could not feel my toes. Picture below :)


This weekend is "Shabbat Ptucha," meaning that many of our Israeli recruitees are coming to spend Shabbat with us, to see if they like the mechina and can see themselves spending next year here. Everyone is really excited about it, and we are working hard to put it all together!

A few hours after the recruitees leave, we are leaving for Jerusalem, where we will spend the week doing archeological digging and touring around the city. I'm very excited!

Getting into the water!



After a few minutes...




Our whole group at Mitzpeh Ramon!