The Southern Arava Offers, for the First Time, an 'Open Houses' Event in Be'er Ora
Freshening up after the elections in Be'er Ora in the Southern Arava: Whether you prefer the scent of incense and traditional Ethiopian coffee, want to work with clay, or are interested in making and tasting chocolates from a chocolatier who began her sweet journey following a rehabilitation process from an injury – you can enjoy all this and more at the first "Open Houses" event to be held in Be'er Ora in the Southern Arava. The event, which will take place on Thursday and Friday, October 29th and 30th, will allow visitors to enter the homes of residents who came from all corners of the country and chose to build a home in the desert, and to be exposed to each of their personal stories.
One ticket will allow visitors to enter all participating homes and choose their own visit route and pace. At the beginning of every hour, a short ten-minute introductory meeting will take place in each house, where the hosts will talk about themselves and their activities. Afterwards, the activity will continue, and visitors can join in even during the hour.
The choice to open the gates of Be'er Ora to visitors is no coincidence. The settlement, located about twenty minutes north of Eilat, has in recent years become a magnet for young families, creators, and professionals seeking a different pace of life, open spaces, and desert silence. All these have created fertile ground for the growth of independent initiatives, local creation, and activities connected to the land and the community.
During the weekend, visitors can move between the houses and meet the residents up close:
Meital Rokah | Style from Within: A personal stylist who invites you to discover the connection between clothes, self-confidence, and personal expression. In a meeting at her designed home, she will share her journey and provide tips for building a personal style and upgrading your wardrobe. Additionally, a second-hand sale of clothes from her personal closet will take place in her yard.
Meital Iglitzky | Sweet in the Heart of the Desert: A pastry chef and owner of a patisserie and dairy catering business born in the Arava. In the meeting, Meital will reveal the scenes behind the business, demonstrate the preparation of trendy fruit desserts, and invite participants for sweet tastings.
Bat Sheva Desta | Ethiopian Tradition, Hospitality, and Healing: A holistic therapist who grew up in the Ethiopian tradition of healing, prayer, and incense and integrates it into her world today. In the meeting, she will host a cultural experience with a traditional coffee ceremony, tastings of Teff pita, an introduction to the world of incense, and stories from her family tradition.
The Prizant Family | Going on Air: Hila Prizant, creator of the "Poretzet" (Breaking Through) podcast, leads a family project that brings the stories of people from the region who have embarked on a new path to the microphone. At the meeting, you can experience a live podcast, step behind the microphone, and get a behind-the-scenes look at creating a family podcast.
Adi Ziv | Local Earth: A ceramicist and creator who integrates organic shapes and textures inspired by the desert and the sea into her work. In her studio, you can experience working with clay, touch the material, and discover how it turns into a personal creation.
Lital Yefet | Metok Li-Tal: A pastry chef and cake designer with 20 years of experience, who in recent years has also fallen in love with the world of chocolate and pralines. In the meeting, she will share her love story with chocolate, offer tastings of her creations, and guide participants in making personal chocolate to take home.
Orly Ben Nathan | Memory Fitness: An experiential meeting where Orly will reveal the secrets of memory, conduct a surprising experiment, and teach a useful technique for remembering names and faces.
Ilanit Amgar Cohen | Re_book & more: A creator and workshop facilitator who gives new life to old books, paper, and everyday materials through creation, collage, and color. In the workshop, you are invited to turn a brown shopping bag into a personal and original journal and discover the creative possibilities hidden in simple materials.
Yotam HaGalili and Yirmi Weismann | CrossFit Be'er Ora: Yotam and Yirmi, who grew up in Be'er Ora, established CrossFit Be'er Ora to bring their love for fitness and the professional experience they gained back to the community. In the meeting, participants will learn the principles of CrossFit and the connection between movement and everyday life, and experience a short movement workshop.
The event is held as a joint initiative of the Southern Arava Tourism Department, the Bloomberg Fund, and the Be'er Ora Committee, with the support of the Negev Development Authority. The Hevel Eilot Regional Council notes that this is an initiative intended to become an annual tradition, with the aim of supporting the local economy, strengthening community ties, and encouraging domestic tourism that connects directly to people.
29/10 between 17:00-21:00
30/10 between 10:00-14:00
Only 30 NIS per ticket
(Photo: Yotam HaGalili and Yirmi Weismann - CrossFit. Photographer: Orel Revivo)
