The Nevatim Heritage Center

The Nevatim Heritage Center – A place where Indian Jews from the diaspora will help to bring peace, tolerance, tranquility and a healthy way of life to the people of Israel and the world.

The First Heritage Center for Indian Jews in the World 

“It is in the Negev that the creativity and pioneer vigor of Israel shall be tested.” — David Ben-Gurion

Aerial shot of Nevatim Heritage Centre

JNF has helped Israel for the past 120 years. In recent years, JNF has contributed towards building a reservoir on the border of Nevatim of recycled waste water from the surrounding areas. This has transformed the harsh desert conditions of Nevatim and its surroundings to become lush, aided the environment and facilitated agriculture.

However, the south of Israel still remains weak financially, economically, socially and culturally. Our upcoming heritage Center will help change that situation by attracting tourism and education to the area. A much-needed arboretum will educate the youth about eastern horticulture, help the environment and raise the standard of living in Israel’s south.

Our project aligns with JNF’s mission to ensure that the people of Israel who live in the underdeveloped periphery of the country, particularly in the Negev, can also share in the Jewish State’s success story and ensure its ongoing sustainability.

Help us build a center for learning that will improve people’s lives while at the same time preserve an ancient culture and heritage. The Indian heritage has centuries of expertise and wisdom to offer in the fields of health, sciences, history, social structure and culture.

 What the Center will offer the community and the country of Israel.

  • A Heritage Center to preserve the rich and unique 1,800-year old heritage of the Indian Jews. The Bene Israel, Cochini, Baghdadi, and Bnei Menashe communities each have their own unique customs and traditions.
  • A Trade Center. This will be a meeting point for Indian and Israeli companies and entrepreneurs to collaborate with the Indian embassy and the Israeli Chamber of Commerce.
  • A Memorial Center for Indian Jewish soldiers who have lost their lives in the wars of Israel. The information about these soldiers who lost their lives serving the country will be preserved in the museum.
  • A Library of information about Indian Jews. Students from the nearby Ben-Gurion University can take advantage of the library facilities and conduct research about the history and heritage of Indian Jews at the library.
  • An Art Center for children of all ages. The Center will display Indian handicrafts and crafts. It will help attract families with children and students from the nearby schools to show them the exquisite crafts from India.
  • A Gallery for Indian artists and sculptors.
  • A Center for meditation, yoga and a place to study holistic ways of life.
  • A Culinary Center which will serve a range of delectable Indian foods as well as be a place to teach people about the distinctive foods of the four different Indian Jewish communities. The Center will introduce the different vegan options available in India to offer a balanced diet to reduce animal consumption.
  • An Arboretum so the Negev can bloom. Greenery is so necessary in every complex to slow down global warming. This area will integrate trees common in India, including medicinal plants and trees. The water from the reservoir can be used to water these plants, which in turn will bring in birds and wildlife, cool the area and of course increase rainfall in the area.

Location of the water and solar panels

How you can help

Your valuable donation will help build this center in Nevatim. Nevatim is not far from the border of Gaza. The situation in the south is more challenging than other parts of the country. The people of the south deserve a healthy and happy lifestyle. Their children and families deserve a better standard of living. We need to confront the root of the financial problems that are faced by the disadvantaged people, who lack knowledge, and give them tools to support and meet the financial needs of their households.

Donate to help Israel. Donate to the Indian Jewish Heritage Center now.

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