Yad David Ben-Gurion Society

The Yad David Ben-Gurion Society (Hebrew: יד דוד בן-גוריון) is an Israeli registered association (amuta) established in 1963 by David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, under the name "Negev Fund" (קרן הנגב). Its founding purpose was to realize Ben-Gurion's vision of building a major educational center in the Negev — what he called "the Oxford of the Negev" — at Sde Boker, the kibbutz where he lived after retiring from office. The fund was intended to advance science, society, education and agriculture in the Negev through the creation of a large educational campus. After Ben-Gurion's death in 1973, the Negev Fund was renamed Yad David Ben-Gurion in his memory and honor. In 1974 the Knesset enacted the David Ben-Gurion Law, which defines the institutions dedicated to commemorating his memory; a 2010 amendment to that law formally defined the status of Yad Ben-Gurion within this framework. The society operates as a nonprofit organization that both commemorates Ben-Gurion's work and legacy and continues to promote development of the Negev. The society's stated goals include establishing memorial enterprises such as scientific institutes, museums, libraries, exhibitions, and educational and cultural institutions; initiating lectures, exhibitions and scientific conferences; planning and encouraging scientific, educational and social projects throughout the Negev; developing research and pedagogical programs for educating the younger generation in the Negev; forming partnerships with state and public bodies; and assisting Ben-Gurion institutions by initiating projects and raising resources from donors in Israel and abroad, beyond a basic government budget. The society oversees or is associated with several Ben-Gurion institutions: the Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute, which researches and disseminates his legacy and Zionism and is responsible for the historic hut and burial estate at Sde Boker; Beit Ben-Gurion in Tel Aviv, the historic home Ben-Gurion bequeathed to the State of Israel, which maintains an open-house tradition seven days a week; and Midreshet Sde Boker, which includes the Environmental Education School (a boarding school and high school), a field school, and the Negev pre-military academy. The society also runs the annual Ben-Gurion Prize, awarded since 1987 to researchers, writers, authors, intellectuals and people of action whose work embodies Ben-Gurion's vision, and grants scholarships to students of the Environmental Education School from low-income families, to outstanding researchers at the Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute, and to outstanding employees at Beit Ben-Gurion. A central current project is the establishment of the Ben-Gurion Center in Tel Aviv, intended to shape and influence discourse in Israeli society. The society is chaired today by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot; before him the chair was Benny Gantz. Past chairs include Asher (Arthur) Ben-Natan and Haim Israeli, while Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Navon served as presidents of the Ben-Gurion institutions. The organization remains active in heritage, education and Negev development.

The Yad David Ben-Gurion Society traces its origins to 1963, when David Ben-Gurion, after retiring as Prime Minister of Israel, went to live as an ordinary member of Kibbutz Sde Boker in the heart of the Negev. Seeking to realize his vision of establishing a great educational center in the Negev — which he described as "the Oxford of the Negev" — Ben-Gurion founded the "Negev Fund" (Keren HaNegev) that year. The fund's goals were to promote science, society, education and agriculture in the Negev by establishing a large educational campus at Sde Boker. Upon Ben-Gurion's death in 1973, the Negev Fund was renamed "Yad David Ben-Gurion" (a registered association) in memory, honor and commemoration of the architect of the State of Israel. In 1974, the Knesset enacted the "David Ben-Gurion Law," which defines the institutions for commemorating Ben-Gurion's memory. A 2010 amendment to this law defined the status of Yad Ben-Gurion within the law. The association's purposes, as stated, are to commemorate Ben-Gurion's work and legacy by establishing memorial enterprises including scientific institutes, museums, libraries, exhibitions, and educational and cultural institutions; to initiate lectures, hold exhibitions and scientific conferences, and public assemblies to commemorate his memory and work; to plan, cultivate and encourage scientific, educational and social actions and enterprises throughout the Negev; to plan, develop and encourage research, clarifications and experiments on educational and pedagogical problems of imparting education and cultural values to the younger generation in the Negev; to create associations with state and public bodies to achieve these goals; and to assist Ben-Gurion institutions by initiating projects and raising donations from donors in Israel and abroad, beyond the basic government budget. The society is associated with several Ben-Gurion institutions. The Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute works to research and disseminate Ben-Gurion's legacy and to study Zionism, and is responsible for the historic hut and the burial estate of Ben-Gurion at Sde Boker. Beit Ben-Gurion is Ben-Gurion's historic home in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, which he donated to the State of Israel and which maintains a tradition of an open house available to the public seven days a week. Midreshet Sde Boker includes the Environmental Education School (a boarding school and high school), a field school, and the Negev pre-military academy. The society's activities include the Ben-Gurion Prize, awarded annually since 1987 to researchers, writers, authors, intellectuals and people of action whose work and deeds perpetuate Ben-Gurion's vision and legacy; scholarships awarded annually to students of the Environmental Education School at Midreshet Sde Boker from low-income families across the country, as well as to outstanding researchers at the Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute and outstanding employees at Beit Ben-Gurion; and the establishment of the Ben-Gurion Center, whose purpose is to shape and influence discourse in Israeli society, described as being at the heart of the association's activity. The Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute is an institute engaged in education and teaching in light of the figure and legacy of the first prime minister. It was established by force of the David Ben-Gurion Law, for his memory and work and the imparting of his legacy. Over its many years of activity as a national center for education and training, the institute deals with topics related to Ben-Gurion and his legacy such as Israeli society, Zionism, leadership and the Negev, all while examining values of past and present. The institute also deals with Ben-Gurion's character, value decisions in his life, his vision and actions over the years in light of the relevance of his figure to Israeli society today. Its educational activities in various frameworks are based on diverse teaching, training and guidance methods that stimulate thought and emotion while deepening significant issues in the history of the Jewish people, the state and Israeli society. The institute operates throughout the country and reaches diverse audiences — school students, soldiers in the army, teachers, students and doctoral candidates, and the general public. Audiences speaking foreign languages, such as overseas visitors and new immigrants, are guided in their language. In addition, study kits and textbooks are written at the institute for use by teachers, facilitators and guides in the formal education system and beyond. The institute's base is at Midreshet Ben-Gurion in the Negev and an additional branch operates in Haifa. Also operating within the institute are Ben-Gurion's hut at Kibbutz Sde Boker, which is a museum-educational complex, and an audiovisual spectacle. Beit Ben-Gurion in Tel Aviv is the home of Paula and David Ben-Gurion, which he bequeathed in his will to the state. The house was built in 1925–1930 and served as the permanent residence of Paula and David Ben-Gurion until their settlement in the hut at Sde Boker. Afterwards it served as their home, alternately with the hut. In Beit Ben-Gurion is David Ben-Gurion's private library, containing about 20,000 volumes in various fields of knowledge. According to his will, the house with its library is open for public study. A visit to Beit Ben-Gurion, a place where history was made, allows a real, tangible and personal touch on formative events in the history of the State of Israel, as well as a direct encounter with the figure and modest lifestyle of David Ben-Gurion, illuminating chapters in his vision and legacy that shaped the state and remain relevant today. The Ben-Gurion Center in Tel Aviv was decided upon out of the need to deepen engagement with Ben-Gurion's vision and legacy, to be established in the house compound and to deal with study, inquiry and inspiration in the spirit of Ben-Gurion's legacy. Its purpose is to shape and influence discourse in Israeli society as a Zionist, egalitarian and democratic society with a sense of vision and purpose nourished by Ben-Gurion's values, vision and legacy. The center, in its contents, will reflect internal and central values in the spirit of Ben-Gurion's legacy such as: vision and fulfillment, action, equality, contribution to society, curiosity, search and wonder, responsibility, hope and personal example. All of the above will enhance the visit experience at Beit Ben-Gurion and invite discourse and dialogue that provide interest, knowledge, inspiration, relevance, innovation and commitment. Midreshet Sde Boker in the Negev is a government company for public benefit, operating a cluster of educational, tourism, cultural and research institutions dealing with education for leadership, knowledge of the land and environmental conservation. The institutions engage in teaching in formal and informal education, guiding tours and excursions in the Negev, field research, and conferences and study days on topics related to the Negev, the desert and the environment. The midrasha constitutes an educational and tourism focus of knowledge, cultural activities, study and experience for the general public, local residents and thousands of educators, students and tourists from across the country. The educational institutions, which constitute the company's educational array, include: the High School for Environmental Education including a quality boarding school, a center for young leadership including a pre-military preparatory program that absorbs trainees from across the country and the 'Starting Line' program that absorbs trainees from the Negev areas, a field school including guidance, hospitality and conferences, and a regional library. Alongside the educational institutions there are administrative units providing services to the educational units and the tourism array.

• 2010

  An amendment to the David Ben-Gurion Law defines the status of Yad Ben-Gurion within the law.

• 1987

  The Ben-Gurion Prize is awarded annually starting this year.

• 1974

  The Knesset enacts the "David Ben-Gurion Law" defining the institutions for commemorating his memory.

• 1973

  Upon Ben-Gurion's death, the Negev Fund is renamed "Yad David Ben-Gurion" in his memory.

• 1963

  David Ben-Gurion founds the "Negev Fund" (Keren HaNegev) to promote science, society, education and agriculture in the Negev.

Nonprofit heritage, education and Negev-development organization dedicated to perpetuating David Ben-Gurion's vision and legacy.

• Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute

  Institute for education and teaching on Ben-Gurion's figure and legacy, established by the David Ben-Gurion Law; operates the historic hut and burial estate at Sde Boker and a branch in Haifa.

• Beit Ben-Gurion

  Historic home of Paula and David Ben-Gurion in Tel Aviv, bequeathed to the State of Israel, housing his private library of about 20,000 volumes and open to the public seven days a week.

• Midreshet Sde Boker

  Government company for public benefit operating educational, tourism, cultural and research institutions including the Environmental Education School, a field school, and the Negev pre-military academy.

• Ben-Gurion Center

  Center in Tel Aviv intended to shape and influence discourse in Israeli society in the spirit of Ben-Gurion's legacy.

• Ben-Gurion Prize

  Annual prize awarded since 1987 to researchers, writers, authors, intellectuals and people of action who perpetuate Ben-Gurion's vision.

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