Jessica Steinberg covers Sabra level from south to north and back to downtown.
“There was a time in the first week of August when we thought we had to return cash to donors,” Gray said, referring to cash raised through a crowdfunding crusade and a circle of family foundations that also contributed.
Finally, in collaboration with local government authority, the kibbutz team won the last component of a budget reserved for archaeological and ancient preservation projects. The road authority gave them until 13 September to remove the ritual bath.
A 500-ton crane used to lift the mikve from its base and then deposit it in its new home in Hannaton, a gap seven meters wide and 3 meters deep.
Once the mikveh was placed in the hole, there was a big party among the kibbutz members, Gray said.
“It’s much more moving than I expected, ” he said.
Now the kibbutz will need to know what to do with the domain centered on the ancient mikveh. The Israel Antiquities Authority has technically lent the ritual bath to the kibbutz, and the network will have to figure out how to provide the national treasure to the public. either using it as a ritual bath or creating an outdoor archaeological park.
Whatever resolution is made, it’s a miracle the bathroom is now in Hannaton, Gray said.
“It’s the strength of storytelling that excited other people,” he said. “It’s a confluence of things, exciting other people and history and Hannaton. “