- On the Sunday evening, August 1rst, Shira Kronich, fresh back from her trip to Kenya, gave a presentation to the members of Kibbutz Ketura about her experience there and about the exciting activiteis of the new Arava Center for Sustainable Development (ACSD). The institute is now in negotiation with the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs's Development Aid Department (MASHAV) on an expanded program for 2011. Members of the kibbutz were thrilled to hear about these global developments taking place in their own back yard.
- The next evening, I presented the Arava Institute's strategic growth plan for the next 15 years to the Kibbutz Ketura Secretariat. The members of the Secretariat were impressed by the level of detail and strategic thought put into the plan. The Secretariat decided that the plan should also be discussed in the General Assembly of the kibbutz.
- The following week on August 9th, Gigi Strom, Scientific Editor for the Arava Institute and I met with Nir Peres from the Israeli Ministry of Regional Cooperation. The ministry is interested in working together with the Arava Instittue on programs that promote regional cooperation in the area. The ministry turned to us because of our reputation and experience with Jordan and Palestine. They have proposed funding a number of programs including conferences, alumni activitiy and cross border work in high schools. Many of these projects are in cooperation with the Dead Sea Arava Science Center as Well. The mandate of the ministry is very similar to the mandate of the Arava Institute, therefore joint projects seems like a very logical step.
- The next day, the institute staff decided to take the afternoon off and go to the beach. The beach day was organized by Ronit Friedman, our institute secretary. Late Tuesday afternoon, about 20 staff members piled into cars and headed down to the Dolphin Reef Beach in Eilat. The cool water and afternoon breeze was just what the staff needed - that plus the beer, humous and chips. Dolphin Reef is the home of a group of dolphins who are cared for by the professional staff of the beach but are free to roam the gulf. The staff was thrilled to have the opportunity to get a close up look a the beautiful creatures.
During the week, we recieved some exciting news from our partners at Dickinson College in Carlisle Pa. that we they had received the US State Department grant that we had submitted together. Miriam Sharton had worked with staff from Dickinson on the development of a proposal to the US State Department to fund a student and professional exchange program. The total grant is for $500,000 over two years. The proposal will enable the Institue to host a summer program and the following year to send a delegation of alumni to the US. It also strengthens our relationship with Dickinson College and opens the doors for long-term cooperation.- Thursday morning, Tali Adini, Eco-Paths Director, Sarit Maagan-Rosenfeld, Eco-Paths Logistics Coordinator and I drove to Mitzpeh Ramon in order to scout out the new hotel we will be using this year and look at other logistical issues. Due to overbooking at the Ramon Inn, the Israel Ride will be using two hotels in Mitzpeh Ramon, the Ramon Inn and the new Ramon Hotel which is also an apartment block converted into a hotel. It is brand new and though still lacking a pool, should be a great place to spend Shabbat for those Riders who will be housed there. The new hotel is about 5 minutes from the old hotel and very close to the machtesh. Tali, Sarit and I met with the hotel managers of both hotels and we also went to visit "IBike" where the crew will be spending Shabbat. IBike is a great little hostel for bikers - very cool and cozy - with its own hot-tub. The Israel Ride crew will be happy campers. Finally, we had lunch at restaurant called "HaKatzeh" (The Edge) right on the outskirts of Mitzpeh Ramon. I had the chicken, Tali and Sarit had the sweet potatoe quiche. Very good but avoid the brocoli souffle (not well cooked). In any case, we found Mitzpeh Ramon to be full of interesting tourist attractions and are looking forward to spending October 22nd-24th there during the Israel Ride. Mitzpeh Ramon - who knew!
On Thursday night, an evening in memory of Michelle Samson, a member of Kibbutz Ketura, who died of cancer last year, was held behind the pub. Michelle Samson was a avid star gazer and August 12th was chosen as the evening to celebrate her life because it is the peak of the summer Perseid meteor shower. The evening was organized by Abby Lutman a long time friend of Michelle's and staff member of the Arava Institute. Michelle a nature lover, participated in many classes and activities of the institute before her passing. The evening included a lecture by Ayli Eschar on astronomy and the meteor shower, the screening of the sci-fi movie classic, Galaxy Quest and the unveiling of the brand new telescope donated to the Arava Institute in Michelle's memory. Yonatan Chesler, who is in charge of IT at the institute instructed kibbutz members and childern on how to see Saturn through the telescope. The telescope will be kept inside the institute but will have a permanent stand in the new Research and Visitors Park.
David Lehrer
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