Netivot (Hebrew: נְתִיבוֹת, “paths” is a city in the Southern District of Israel located between Beersheba and Gaza. In 2021, it had a population of 42,039.
Netivot was founded in 1956 and named after the bible: “All her paths are peace.” (Proverbs 3:17) Initially a ma’abara, it was later transformed into a development town. The first residents were immigrants from Morocco and Tunisia. In the 1990s, they were joined by immigrants from Russia and Ethiopia. For many years, Netivot suffered from high unemployment. Since 2008, Netivot has been the target of Grad missile attacks from Gaza, which lies about 12 kms away. In 2012, a rocket exploded near a school in the city.
A major landmark is the tomb of the Baba Sali (1889–1984), a Moroccan-born kabbalist who is buried there.
This artshelter was dedicated in celebration of the 75th birthday of H. Steven Moffic, MD, aka Hillel and Hey-Hey, thanks to a donation by the Moffic Family.
The name of the street where this pomegranate Art Shelter is situated is called “Ha Rimon”, which in Hebrew means “The Pomegranate”, hence the theme of this shelter.
