A once barren graveyard for junkyard cars is being transformed into a vibrant, 1,300-acre water-front jewel in the Negev. And Jewish National Fund is leading the way. Our vision for the once-troubled city of Be’er Sheva is dynamic and exciting. Today, the city is in the midst of a renaissance as it becomes Israel’s “water city” in the desert. Our projects—some complete and others in progress—are changing Be’er Sheva’s image among both residents and tourists. As a result, today Be’er Sheva claims the fastest-rising home prices in the country and tourists are flocking to the area. In fact, of all the Negev’s developing communities, Be’er Sheva is easily the most likely one to become known on an international scale, thanks to its public works and bustling city streets.
The centerpiece of JNF's efforts in the city is the development of the 1,300 acre Be'er Sheva River Park, a world-class $300 million urban revitalization initiative that has turned what was once a massive junkyard into a lush greenway for pedestrians and bicyclists and, as importantly, a space for family celebrations and community festivals.
Perhaps one of the most stunning aspects of the River Walk project is Abraham’s Well, equally important to Jews, Christians and Muslims. Here, Abraham is said to have dug a well and made a pact with the Philistines. Today, visitors enter a multimedia-filled courtyard, reconstructed with ancient drawings, that evoke the Be’er Sheva of more than 3,000 years ago.
A more modern, though no less striking, architectural aspect of the River Park is the Danielle A. and Irving J. Grossman JNF Amphitheater. With its 12,000-seat central amphitheater and two grass amphitheaters hosting a total of 18,000 additional people, it is Israel’s largest and arguably most impressive entertainment venue. From music to theater and dance, this amphitheater is at the heart of all things cultural in Be’er Sheva.
Work is also underway on the Be'er Sheva River Park Lake. Known as Neve Midbar, or "desert oasis" in Hebrew, the 23-acre lake will be Israel's largest man-made lake. More importantly, the lake will double as a reservoir to irrigate and care for the park's needs. Water for the reservoir will be supplied by treated and recycled sewage and waste water from the city.
Though these marvels of urban renewal have already transformed Be’er Sheva, to most in the know, it’s just a wonderful prelude to something even greater. “We’re not finished,” says Yair Nagid, CEO of Be'er Sheva's Center for the Performing Arts. “Though we’ve doubled our population, we have still a lot of work to do. But together with JNF, we have a vision, we have a roadmap, and we’ll succeed."
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