Kisufim Colony
October 1, 2025
Hatzarim Colony
October 1, 2025Ruhama is an agricultural colony (kibbutz) in the Negev desert, regarded as the original colony. Founded in 1911 on the lands of the depopulated village of al-Jamama in the Beersheba district, it was the first modern Jewish colony in the Negev. It lies about 10 kilometers east of Sderot and is surrounded by a nature reserve. In 2017, its population was 643 settlers.
The colony also hosts a research center dedicated to improving medical cannabis, focusing on genetics, agriculture, and strain development.
