Located in Yeroham but serving the entire Negev region,   ATID BAMIDBAR works to empower the local community, connects diverse Negev communities around Jewish and Israeli culture, and promotes communal, cultural, educational, and tourism initiative.

It is our mission to bring Jewish tradition in its widest sense to diverse populations, break down stereotypes, bridge gaps, and create a focal point of tolerance and pluralism in practice that sends its message out to ever wider audiences: during the 2007/8 school year, over 1500 children and adults participated each week in BAMIDBAR programs, and more than 10,000 participated in BAMIDBAR communal events and in programs for more than 60 visiting groups from Israel and abroad.

Affiliated with Limmud International, Limmud-Negev boasted more than 70 presenters, who gave workshops, lectures, and performances. There was a mind-boggling spectrum of topics in Hebrew, Russian and Yiddish, ranging from dance midrash and Jewish identity in films to solar energy in the Negev, and from halakhic rulings of North African rabbis to changing interpretations of Hannukah as reflected in songs through the ages. After a hot soup and couscous supper that warmed heart and body, more than 300 participants from the Negev, Arava, and well beyond, gathered together to light the third candle of Hannukah. The full program ended with a panel on culture in the Negev, highlighted by Kobi Oz singing some of his new songs. All participants cited the incredibly energizing and welcoming atmosphere.

To see additional photos and write-ups about this amazing event, go to the Limmud-Negev websitewww.limmudnegev.org.il or to Facebook.