July 2008

Friends of Biblical Tamar Park,

As most of you know, my major work and interest for the past 25 years has been Biblical Tamar Park, located in the Arava of Israel. Actually, since my first visit to Israel in 1965, my interest in this land of the Bible has continued to increase. All of my efforts are now focused on the Site Plan and eventually building a museum and learning center that uses “green” technology and is designed to be, in itself, a teacher of history and an example of conservation technology.

Our Park architect, Amir Shoham, has been in constant communication with us as we select engineers to develop the blue prints for water, sewer, electrical, and transportation. Archaeologists tell us that tel Tamar, the Gateway to the Arava, is the only city in southern Israel where there is definite proof of a Jewish presence since the building of the foundations by King Solomon 3000 years ago.

There is archeological evidence that, according to some scholars, indicates that Moses and other prominent people of the Bible spent time in this area of the desert.  It is privilege to be involved these thousands of years later.

The fact is that the venerated Jewish sage, the Vilna Goan, said that the Tamar referred to by the prophet Ezekiel as the southern boundary city of Israel is the same Tamar that Abraham referred to in Genesis. This is the location of present day Biblical Tamar Park. Such evidence encourages us to work even harder to complete this important project.

Money to keep the Park open with minimal services is becoming more difficult in this faltering economy.   The engineering prints I referred to above will cost another $6000 in addition to the basic Site Plan costs and monthly obligations. Since we pay for the work as it is done, without letting debt build up, we ask you to help with this cost. Contributions are tax deductible.

Some of you may be acquainted with the newest activity in the Arava, the Red-Dead Canal Project. A recent news release from the government announcing “Valley Of Peace Receives Funding At Last” refers to the Red-Dead Canal project. This momentous and gigantic project will pit man’s ingenuity against nature’s will and from all the engineering studies that have been completed, it appears that man will win this contest.

You may also remember that the Med-Dead Canal project was abandoned after 25 million dollars were invested in studies and test drilling. That water would have flowed from the Mediterranean into the Dead Sea but it would have had to cross near Gaza and the instability in that area made it difficult to proceed.

The Red-Dead Canal project, which as been years in the planning, has been championed by Israeli President Shimon Peres, and could potentially create a million jobs for Israelis, Jordanians, and Palestinians. Investors from Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan have pledged the three billion dollars needed to complete the job.

The “Red-Dead Canal” project, which has been planned and dreamt about for over thirty years, would potentially bring water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea, which has been receding at an alarming rate in recent decades. The project, which would be within three miles of Tamar Park, would also build desalinization plants to irrigate the desert region and hydroelectric plants that could potentially turn the region into a major tourist attraction. Plans also include building a high speed railway and multi-land super highway alongside the canal, with dozens of hotels and new towns strung along the way.

Another goal of the Valley of Peace is that it will pave the way for unprecedented regional cooperation and coexistence between Israel and the Palestinians. One government leader said, “This is the only way to get out of the cycle of violence because peace will be made not by agreements but by cooperation and goodwill among the peoples of the region. The Valley of Peace will provide a solution for generations to come.”

The only major hurdle left for the project to begin is approval from the Israeli government.

DeWayne Coxon

President, Blossoming Rose