An Ancient Desert Site Becomes an Oasis

At the center of the remote southern Arava desert lies Timna Park, a stunning environment with a history tied to King Solomon. Now, the region’s 3,500 residents have opened their homes and their park to displaced Israelis, quickly morphing the area from a tourist attraction into an oasis. 

Within 48 hours of October 7, 1,500 evacuees had already been absorbed.  

“They created an environment where the evacuees can feel safe and appreciated,” said Yoav Danieli, father of three and an evacuee from Kibbutz Nahal Oz.  

Housing all these people is no small matter. More than 7,200 meals are provided each day for evacuees. Social workers and psychologists are also available 24/7, and a new resilience center offers further support and even financial counseling.   

Timna Park is hosting daily activities for children and adults as well as remote workstations. There are now 13 informal educational centers offering activities for all ages, three pre-schools, and an elementary school run by local teachers. 

The park is also serving as a meeting place for tight-knit border communities whose members are now scattered across Israel. They come together to connect, grieve, and breathe.  

“It’s easy to be inside yourself and get depressed. Being in nature and seeing other people in the same condition as you and having so much support is getting us through these hard times,” said Danieli. David Chudnow, whose family has been integral to Timna Park’s growth, summed it up as he said, “We’re all one people.” 

The support of Jewish National Fund-USA now, and always, makes it possible for Timna to open their hearts and their homes to those in need and create a feeling of security in tumultuous times.