This past week, 150 new immigrants to the region gathered at the Mt. Kanub Farm in southeastern Gush Etzion for a “pioneering” event.
The farm is close to the community of Pnei Kedem, whose shepherds safeguard Israel’s State Lands by grazing in the area. The immigrants, who arrived in Israel from many countries, some over the past year, got to spend time working on the farm.
They planted trees, worked in the vineyards, fed sheep, and experienced working the soil with their hands. Afterwards, they were treated to a scrumptious barbeque, facing a spectacular view of the Judean Desert.
The event was organized and sponsored by the Gush Etzion Regional Council’s Immigration and Absorption division, whose mandate is to encourage Aliyah (immigration to Israel), and assist new immigrants with their acclimation and absorption to Gush Etzion.
Gush Etzion Mayor, and Chairman of the Yesha Council, Shlomo Ne’eman said: “The connection between the new immigrants and the pioneering work being done at the farm was amazing. These are people who left everything behind, and came to connect to the Land of Israel. We wanted them to feel the soil and experience the work being carried out on the farm, alongside other immigrants who are going through similar experiences in their new Gush Etzion homes. As someone who has worked on behalf of Aliyah for many years, I feel that we as a country need to absorb as many of our Jewish brothers and sisters as possible here in Gush Etzion, and in all of Israel.”