The Jewish Federation’s partnership region of Netivot and Sdot Negev is located in the Southern District of Israel, less than 10 miles from the Gaza border. This region is diverse, with a rich cultural heritage of various backgrounds and traditions.
Netivot
Netivot was established by immigrants from Morocco and Tunisia in the 1950s. From the 1990s to the early 2000s, the city saw an influx of Russian and Ethiopian immigrants. With the help of government funding and the Jewish Federation’s P2G initiative, Netivot rapidly grew to its current population of over 52,000.
Sdot Negev
Sdot Negev is home to more than 11,000 residents and is made up of 16 communities: 2 kibbutzim, 12 moshavim, and 2 villages. Similarly to Netivot, Sdot Negev’s desert topography is dry with seldom rain, underscoring the ingenuity of the area’s farming and agricultural work, which supplies much of the country with its produce and food. Sdot Negev hosts an agricultural training and research and development center.
OUR PARTNERSHIP POST OCTOBER 7
Netivot and Sdot Negev have been at the epicenter of the Swords of Iron war. As a result of our longstanding relationships in the area, the Jewish Federation has worked tirelessly with regional councils, organizations, and leaders in the area to identify and address the urgent needs of residents. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is helping the region to flourish as they rebuild and to be actively prepared for future emergencies.
As a result of year-round grants through our Annual Campaign, residents have received support aiming to strengthen their resilience and build up their communities. The areas have also been supplied with lifesaving resources, such as security cameras that saved countless lives during the Oct. 7 attack.
Learn more about our Philly Stands With Israel Emergency Fund allocations by clicking here.