Midreshet Sde Boker in the Negev

Midreshet Sde Boker in the Negev. The new generation of leadership will rise here.

Leaders and partners - file introduction

“I dream of a Hebrew Oxford in the Negev and a Hebrew modern Yavneha... spiritual place of creativity”

David Ben-Gurion

Campus Midreshet Sde-Boker David Ben-Gurion, the founding father of the State of Israel, considered

the development and settlement of the Negev to have far-reaching consequences. One of his most famous quotes is: “If we do not stand in the Negev- Tel Aviv will not stand.” Yad Ben-Gurion and Midreshet Sde Boker, the successors of his legacy, see great importance in establishing a leadership development center in the spirit and inspiration of David Ben-Gurion’s vision, near the tomb estate. The goal is to educat and to train young people in the Negev to lead the State of Israel and its people, to set challenges and achieve new goals, and to influence humanity in the field of sustainability in the desert, as Ben-Gurion predicted. We want the new center to host leaders and policy makers from Israeli communities and from around the world for meetings and discussions that impact on the environment and society. In order to bring the Negev communities closer to Ben-Gurion’s heritage, the center will also host shows, concerts, plays and films.

Midreshet Sde Boker – Boarding School and Junior Staff Residence Planning Concept

A place that is like home, where students live and learn for extended periods of time and to which they return after field or class activities, must cater to various needs – sometimes even conflicting needs: Open and closed – a place which provides an open and shared environment, while maintaining an individual and intimate space. Constructed and protective – the challenge of creating an area that controls shade and temperature, while being a warm inviting environment, decorated with local plants and trees. Busy and quiet – Creating spaces for social interaction, while also providing quiet places for low-key activity. “Togetherness” and “Separateness” – Creating spaces for discussions and lectures, alongside areas for individual learning – all in the same area.

A

D

E

Faculty Residence

B

C

Faculty Residence

E building

C building

D building

B building

Combat Fitness Compound

A building

Concept Description As the floor plan must cater to different and variable needs and desires, it began with the personal space. Every room is designed for 3 people with 3 partitions, providing each with place for a bed, a desk and their personal belongings. In the center of the room is a shared space for intimate meetings of 1-3 people. In addition, resembling a 2-floor Lego construction, the plan includes shared areas, with space for benches and various seating configurations for up to 100 present. The shared spaces are designed as galleries on the first floor, above the entrance floor, which is a central space with various seating arrangements, providing multiple meeting options. The entire boarding school structure provides combined space for 400 students of the Environmental Education High School and 100 students of the Young Leadership Center. The layout creates a central quad facing the existing public areas. This plaza is the heart of the campus, consolidating the current and proposed area. The plan provides for the students’ everyday needs, for congregation, rest and physical activity. Each of the structures has a protected space compliant with national emergency guidelines.

Designed by Lea Rubanenko Architects ltd.

David Ben-Gurion’s vision. We must renew and innovate. David Ben-Gurion, one of the driving forces who led to the establishment of the State of Israel and its first Prime Minister, joined Kibbutz Sde Boker in 1953, and divided his life between Tel Aviv and the Negev. Ben-Gurion realized that failure to develop the Negev, settle it and establish significant social anchors therein would significantly imperil the entire State of Israel. He established the “Negev Founda tion” in 1960 and began to establish “Midreshet Sde Boker”. A governmental public benefit company was founded in 1973, which is funded by the government (60%) and by Yad Ben-Gurion (40%).

Leaders and partners. Continuing his vision over the past decades, we focus on education, geography and settlement in the spirit of Ben-Gurion and his colleagues. In order to uphold and maintain David Ben-Gurion’s vision and in order to propagate his values to the public, we need you: Leaders and partners.

Leaders and partners in the creation of the new Midreshet Sde-Boker Campus, will receive due recognition and acclaim.

Summary and budget There are 5 boarding buildings – 4 of the high school for environmental education. 1 of the center for young leadership. In each building there will be about 33 sleeping rooms and in each room 3 students / trainees. Each building will have a clubhouse, a room for housewives, a workroom for instructors, a laundry area, and a logistics warehouse.

budget Budget of each building is about 4.2 million Dollar.

total budget Total Budget about 21 million Dollar.

Dror Aloni CEO of “Midreshet Sde-Boker”