The wine route which is a successful project of Partnership 2000, Beit Shemesh Adulam within the framework of economic development, has been home to many successful food and wine festivals.

This year, the economic development sub-committee has prepared four festivals in the region as part of the progress in developing tourist activities within the wine route of Yoav Yehudah (Adulam). A small budget was allocated to be the seed money for these festivals and the first was held in March 2004. This festival attracted over 100.000 visitors to the region for wine, and ethnic food cooking, in the homes of women who are part of our Women's Empowerment Programme, which is supported by WIZO South Africa also within the Partnership 2000 framework.

During the period 1-8th August we are holding the Tanach Festival with all the events that are advertised in the Israeli press (see Maariv, Yediot, Haaretz - last Shabbat)

On August 4th at Beit Guvrin a girls' choir from South Africa, participating in an international choir Festival in Israel, will perform at the Beit Guvrin amphitheatre.

The next festival will be the wine harvesting festival during Succot. The last will be in December around Channukah.

For details of all the events visit www.touryoav.org.il (Hebrew).

Av 5764 - July 2004