The 2005 “March of the Living” Delegation from Australia to Israel via Poland decided to include the option of a trip to the Arava, in order to see a classic example of Tekuma at first hand.

The delegation members arrived in the Arava on Yom Atzmaut, toured the region, drove along the Peace Road, visited greenhouses on one of the moshavim, and heard about the history and agriculture of the region. The group had the chance to experience some very dramatic Arava weather, as orange sands swirled high above our heads, while down below all was quiet. In the evening the group participated in the regional Independence Day celebrations.

The highlight of the visit was the art and drama workshops the following day. In these workshops the group members were given an opportunity to express some of their feelings about the overwhelming experience they had undergone in Poland, through non-verbal forms of expression.