Who We Are
Atid Bamidbar grapples with the lack of solidarity and sense of belonging among Israel's various “tribes.” Believing that diversity is a source of strength, we showcase populations whose stories are not well known in the Israeli mainstream, and create connections between individuals, groups, organizations, and municipalities in the Negev and beyond.
We use effective tools of documentation and dissemination of stories and cultural traditions, community-based tourism, and joint socioeconomic action to empower the Negev’s marginal groups, bridge cultural gaps, promote intergroup acquaintance and collaboration, and create a more inclusive Jewish and Israeli story.
Mission & Vision

We are based in Yeroham. Our name is an amalgam of Hebrew-language acronyms for two grassroots social-change NGOs that combined forces:
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ATID—Friends for Documentation of Yeroham’s Generations
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BAMIDBAR—Center for Creative Jewish Study
ATID was formally founded in 1990 to document and disseminate the stories of Yeroham’s diverse residents and communities, bring communities and generations together, and emphasize their heretofore unappreciated contribution—and those of other development towns—to the flourishing of the Negev and Israel.
After Prime Minister Rabin’s assassination in 1995, Israeli society seemed to be breaking apart along the volatile fissures of religious and political divisions. It was then that BAMIDBAR was established to serve as a regional center for personal encounters across the divisions and for joint learning and engagement with our shared Jewish heritage. Study and activities were integrated with the arts and social-educational projects. Our programs attracted secular, traditional, religious and even ultra-Orthodox participants from the Negev and the Arava via tens of study and cultural-event formats.
The two frameworks became one in name, mission, and vision in 2004 and work currently in four core areas—Community, Culture, Identity; Programs With Russian Speakers; Incubator for Bedouin-Jewish Initiatives; and Community-Based Tourism. All our activities are aimed at personally, culturally, and socioeconomically empowering the people of our town and the Negev region and strengthening the ties between them.
Our Story

Our Team

Deborah Goldman Golan
President and Co-founder

Shai Ben-Tal
Director
Community-Based Tourism

Irena Kudman
Director
Programs With Russian Speakers

Yaakov Shmul
CEO

Yael Agmon
Director
Incubator for Bedouin-Jewish Initiatives

Gitit Chodede
Office Manager

Orly Reicher
Director
Community, Culture, Identity

Neta Tsahor
Coordinator
White Hill Farm and "Youth Home" at Rahma School

Netanela Tsahor
Coordinator
Information, Bookings, and Customer Relations