Water walk: Festival to raise funds for Negev reservoir

If you can't walk on water, what about walking for it?

Walking for Water is the theme of this year's Walkfest for Israel, on Sunday morning, Sept. 18, to coincide with the To Life! Street Festival.

Bay Area synagogues, Israel action committees, Hillels, Jewish day schools, Israel activist groups and the Jewish National Fund are expected to participate in this third annual event, which begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends approximately two hours later at the To Life! festival on California Street.

Money raised will be donated to Israel's David Reservoir in the Negev Desert. The reservoir was built by the Jewish National Fund and is being funded by donors from the Bay Area.

Its source is reclaimed water from the city of Beersheva, located about 15 miles to the east. The water is cleaned and then used for irrigation, providing water for 32,000 acres of farmland.

Last year's walk raised money for Israel terror victims.

Participants are encouraged to sign up for the five-mile walk or the alternate two-mile route.

Walkers should meet at the CineArts Theater parking lot on the southwest corner of Page Mill Road and El Camino Real.

Those unable to walk are encouraged to sponsor a walker or make a donation. WalkFest 2005 pledge forms are available by e-mailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or calling (415) 677-9600.