A message from A little more than a year ago, Jewish National Fund embarked on a challenge, a long-term vision: developing the Negev into a hospitable, habitable, profitable environment that would become home to an additional 250,000 people. Blueprint Negev is not a mirage, it is a vision becoming a reality — with seven new communities created, hundreds of families moved to the Negev, and new job opportunities. JNF's Blueprint Negev initiative is essential to Israel's future. The Negev represents 60% of Israel's landmass, but only 8% of its population lives there. Overcrowding and a strain on resources in the center of the country — 92% of Israel's population resides on 40 % of Israel's land — further underscore the importance of this plan. Additionally, there are an estimated 170,000 Bedouin in the Negev whose population is expected to double in the next seven years. But their educational and medical standards are very low and unemployment hovers at 90%. Opening up the Negev economically will positively impact their future as well. This is a vision for all of Israel. Blueprint Negev builds on the extensive work already achieved by KKUJNF. Over 30 JNF reservoirs already in the Negev translate into 10 billion gallons of water. In Beersheva, new housing and large parks are being built. Together with the Beersheva Foundation, KKUJNF and the Or Movement are creating a $300 million consortium of projects that will transform Beersheva into a bustling metropolis. JNF, together with the Or Movement, has established the Negev Central Information Center, which gathers up-to-date data on communities, job opportunities, housing, and education. Already, 10,000 names of Israelis interested in moving to the Negev are in our central database and we have identified 960 new employment opportunities in the Negev. Today, our vision is turning into a reality. Blueprint Negev allows us to be 21st century pioneers and to once again be part of a nation under creation. Twenty-five communities are planned; seven are already established. Residents of Sansana, Harouv, Shomria, Givot Bar, Be'er Milka, Kmehin, and Merhav Am, the newly established communities, give testament to these ideals. Our Economic Development Fund helps them finance the move. Our involvement shows our partnership. Blueprint Negev answers the need for Jews in the Diaspora looking to make aliyah the pioneering way. Nefesh B'Nefesh has been very successful in bringing highly qualified North American immigrants to Israel, yet many settle in established communities, seeking an English-speaking population. We are working with them to set up English- speaking communities in the Negev, such as Carmit, and allow the Diaspora Jew to change the quality of life and image of the Negev. It doesn't get more pioneering than that. At Ramon Air Force Base, whose home is already in the Negev, congregations across the U.S. are participating in a $10 million initiative to build a central park with a 3,000-seat amphitheatre and recycled FORESTRY • WATER • COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT • SECURITY EDUCATION • RESEARCH • TOURISM & RECREATION • ECOLOGY Ronald S. Lauder water reservoirs. If your congregation has not yet signed on, be a part of history. Together with Aleh Negev, we are building a 25-acre, world class, residential rehabilitative village, to provide services to the entire Negev population which suffers from a tremendous shortage of paramedical, therapeutic, and special education services. The Aleh Negev project will serve as home to more than 200 adults with disabilities — meeting their needs throughout their lives — and will serve an additional 12,000 disabled children and young adults each year as outpatients. This project, situated near Ofaqim, will bring 3,000 new jobs to the area. Young families are calling Tourism, which will bring even more employment the Negev home opportunities, features heavily in our blueprint. Our plans include building a new bike path in the Southern Arava, with bike rental stations and refreshment centers. Bird watchers from around the world will flock to Israel, following the migrations of millions of birds, from world-class centers in Eilat, ul:›to Kibbutz Lotan then north to the Hula Valley. All of these are examples of our Negev Plan in action, bringing people to the Negev, and creating jobs that will transform the Negev into a desirable place to live. Our plan encompasses so many projects: building new communities, revitalizing established towns and cities, bolstering services and opportunities throughout the region, improving quality of life, and making all this possible by building vital reservoirs. Singly, they are just projects; together, they form a vision. The Blueprint Negev vision. Sincerely, Ronald S. Lauder, President, Jewish National Fund email: RLauder@jnf.org P.S. To get a free DVD visit visit www.jnf.org/dvd or to learn more www.jnf.org or call 888-JNF-0099. JNF, for Ewa ISRAEL Oninc, Alliance Standards give.org IT'S NOT A MIRAGE. IT'S OUR VISION. ISH NATIONAL FUND F kffee kimeart3 forever. www.jnf.org 121th 1061610 ums season 05106 Jose Limon Dance Company Lar Lubovitch artistic associate FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 8 PM SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1 PM [One-hour Family Performance] SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2 PM Power Center Mexican-born choreographer Jose Limon was a pioneer of modern dance whose works are recognized as American masterpieces. His company returns to Ann Arbor for the first time since 1969 to perform three mostly different programs of classic Limon works and new commissions by contemporary choreographers. "For THREE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, INCLUDING: Evening Songs OH Kylian, Dvorak songs) (1997) Angelitos Negros (Donald McKayle, Manuel Alvarez Maciste) (1972) Chaconne (Jose Limon, J.S. Bach) (1942) The Moor's Pavane (Jose Limon, Henry Purcell) (1949) Concerto Six Twenty-Two (Lar Lubovitch, Mozart) (1986) A Choreographic Offering (Jose Limon, J.S. Bach) (1964) Recordare (Lar Lubovitch, Elliot Goldenthal, (2005) drama, virtuosity, and grace, there's no finer company." ( The Village Voice) The Jose Lim6n Residency is presented with support from DA1NILERGHRYSLER DahnierChry-ster Corporation Fund Funded in part by the National Dance Project of the New England Foundation for the Arts. +•N'Its/i)- Call or Click for Tickets! urns 734.764.2538 I www.ums.org soci*,' outside the 734 area code, call toll - free 800.221.1229 mc" mici•Nan mama aca ar,r1,,1 annual ,rte tin January 5 • 2006 9