This winter has yielded above average rainfalls in Israel. And although Nitzana has not been blessed with the quantities of rain and snow that have fallen further north the region is alive with winter desert flowers. In particular the region is famous for its truffles, picked and relished by the local Bedouin, which grow wild in the desert near Nitzana.

Nitzana also attracts the pick of the IDF - its best young pilots - who together with the Shin Shinim (gap year teenagers between the high school and army) act as volunteers at Nitzana. During the last month the Shin Shinim, SELAH students, and pilots worked hard to clear footpaths in the area of the Nitzana National Park for hikers. The pilots also learned about the battles that took place in the Nitzana region and also mixsocially with the new immigrants from the Former Soviet Union and Ethiopia in the SELAH and KEDMA programs.

Adar Aleph 5763 - March 2003