SDEROT - The Negev city of Sderot is known mainly for the Qassam missiles that have repeatedly slammed into it in recent years, but a closer look proves the town and its surrounding area is well worth a visit, despite the precarious security situation.
The Around Sderot track, which was developed by Sderot expert Dorit Sadovsky in conjunction with the Jewish National Fund ,begins at the Yad-Mordechai junction. Turn in the direction of Sderot, and just before Kibbutz Or Haner, head up to Givat Hamirdafim (Hill of Chases), or Givat Sha'arei Aza (Gaza Gates Hill), as it is referred to in some maps.
Legend has it that biblical Samson took the gates of Gaza with him on his way back to Tzora, and as he passed by the village that eventually came to be known as Majad (generous), he was hosted by a kind and generous man, who said to him: "Why are you carrying two gates? People would still believe you if you came with only one."
So Samson left one gate behind, but because it was made of wood it disintegrated over time.
On the hilltop stands a memorial in honor of the six Mekorot Water Company employees who were killed here in 1956 when they walked into a minefield. The site is an excellent observation point to Gaza towns Gvaram, Erez, and Nisanit.
We continue driving past Kibbutz Or Haner on the Brur Hail road, and reach the Gvaram preserve, which is rich in anemones during the winter. We drive according to the red markings, and see a eucalyptus tree grove on our right. When the trail rises on the right, a beautiful cave that had once been used for gravel quarrying appears.
Sderot is only a 10-minute drive from the Gvaram preserve.
Several squares are spread out throughout the city, and the most beautiful one, which is named after Edmond Safra, is adorned with several statues of different musical instruments. These statues serve as a reminder of the many rock n' roll bands that began their careers in Sderot.
Another town square is the only one in the country named after King Hassan of Morocco.
We drive through the old shopping mall, where the town elders gather to chat and drink coffee, and then we head toward the Ben-Gurion neighborhood, which is populated predominantly by people of Caucasian and Bukharan descent.
Upon reaching the neighborhood's entrance, we are greeted by a huge and colorful mosaic wall titled which is a creation of town resident Mark Menker. Each Friday a local bazaar is set up on the neighborhood sidewalks, and the backgammon boards come out as well.
Black Arrow Monument
We leave via Sderot's south side and turn toward Kibbutz Nir Am. We drive along the kibbutz's border until we reach the Water Museum, which marks the spot of the first water well. We continue toward the Nabiah Mari observation post, a memorial dedicated to the Druze colonel who was shot dead by a sniper in the Gaza Strip in 1996.
We continue to Black Arrow Monument, which is one of the most beautiful monuments in the country. The monument was erected to immortalize the 11 military operations that were carried out by the famed 101 unit and the paratroopers during the years 1953-1957.
Each monument stone is engraved with a detailed and emotional description of a specific operation and its results.
On the way back north we stop at Givat Arnon, or Ajas el-Ras in Arabic, located on the Kiryat Gat-Ashkelon highway junction, on the turn to Ashdod. Here we see burial caves that have not been entirely excavated, but what really catches our attention is the charming Byzantine wine press, with its five storage cubicles that encircle the main stomping area.
The site is very well kept by Jewish National Fund, which also constructed a small wooden amphitheater.
If you look to the north, you will see a tall, blue-colored electrical pole. This is Givat Tom and Tomer, which is named after Tom Kitain and Tomer Keidar, who were killed in the helicopter tragedy in 1997. The pole is decorated with 73 white doves in memory of the soldiers who died in the tragic accident.
*Dorit Sadovsky, "Around-Sderot Tours": Telephone – 972-50-520-2019.
*Jewish National Fund excursions: Telephone- 972-1-800-350-550.