Sde Boker

 Ben Gurion’s Desert Home

Paula and David Ben-Gurion’s desert home remains exactly as Ben-Gurion left it when he passed away in 1973. David and his wife Paula become members of Kibbutz Sde Boker in 1953. In 1963, the couple retired to a modest ‘hut’ on the kibbutz. Visiting BG’s hut and their nearby grave is a “Must” for any visit to the Negev. There is so much to learn about Israel’s first Prime Minister.

Ben Gurion was the theme of my Bar Mitzva speech way back. Later when I was a student at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and had a lot of “Chutzpah”, BG spoke on campus and I asked him some very difficult questions – so difficult that it was written up in the daily newpaper, Maariv. So I have a personal connection with BG.

The Ben Gurion’s Desert Home Visitor Center provides a historical display, documentary movie, activity areas, conference rooms and a photo exhibition. A fee is charged for a visit to the hut.

• Address: Kibbutz Sde Boker 84993
• Tel: +972-(0)8-6560469
• Email: palmach@bgu.ac.il
• Free parking, disabled access, child friendly, pets are prohibited.

 

 

 Pola’s Cafe

I am not responsible for the spelling, but the coffee was fine. The cafe is named after David’s loyal wife, Paula.

• Tel: 08-656-0479
• Opening Hours:
• Sun-Thur 08:30-16:00
• Fri 08:30-14:00
• Sat 10:00-16:00

Not Kosher

Sde Boker Winery

This is a boutique winery established in 1999 wines made from grapes grown at Sde-Boker. Have a free taste! This is right next to Pola’s Cafe. The winery visitors center is located next to Ben Gurions Desert Home. Open every day. Groups are requested to order tastings in advance. The visitors center screens “Dreaming – A Love Story” a film about the beginning of Sde Boker. Kosher (Rabbinate)

Ben-Gurion’s Tomb National Park

The entrance to Ben Gurion’s Grave is free and is open all day, year round. You may be lucky to meet an IDF military unit learning about the founder of modern Israel. You may meet hikers passing by on the Israel Trail. Take the time to have a conversation with them. That is the best way to learn about Israel. Don’t miss the amazing view of the Tsin canyon.

• Tel:08-655-5684; 08-655-4418
• The tomb and the view are wheelchair-accessible
• Pets are prohibited.

Sde Boker Campus

South of the kibbutz there is a campus named after Ben Gurion, which houses a desert research institute, the Ben-Gurion Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism, a field school(Midreshet Sde Boker) and a guest house/hostel, a high school where youth from all over the country study nature from nature itself, a reptile farm and a desert sculpture museum.