Although Rosh Hashana was only ten days away, it still seemed to be the height of summer in the bright sunshine of the Arava at 10.00 in the morning on September 8th. A large and cheerful group of people gathered under the shade of a huge leafy tree to await the very first students enrolled at the new Arava Pre-Army College on Moshav Hazeva. The 22 young people had taken a two-day hike through the desert on the way to their new home for the coming year, and as they rounded the corner, with dusty knapsacks on their backs, and shy grins on their faces, the crowd burst into spontaneous applause.

The idea to establish a college for social leadership in the Central Arava was initiated by the second generation on Moshav Hazeva. These young people, who were born on the moshav and returned to raise their own young families there, saw the need for a college which would instill the values of Judaism and Zionism, contribution to the State and the community, working the land, preserving the environment, humanism and equality and respect for all. The college is open to all graduates of the 12th grade interested in postponing their army service for year in order to take time out to decide upon their paths in life. It seems particularly fitting that the college be established on one of the settlements in the Arava, which have been a shining example of Zionism, of the triumph of the spirit and the body, and of mutual responsibility.

The young people, who hail from all over the country, were met in the courtyard in front of the newly renovated structures on Hazeva by the Head of the Regional Council, Mr. Ezra Ravins, and some 150 residents of the Arava. The regional rabbi, Rav Moshe Bloi, affixed a mezuzah to one of the structures, and blew the shofar to welcome the students and the New Year. Excitement was in the air as everyone raised a glass and said a heartfelt "L'Chayim" to new beginnings.

Funding for the College is provided by several government and regional entities, as well as by Partnership 2000, and the plan is to accept a number of Australian students next year - for additional information please contact Arava - Australia Partnership Director Ms. Cochy Avny at CochavaA@jafi.org