The Piyut (liturgical poem) tradition is alive in many communities residing in Israel’s geographical periphery, including Yeruham.  The Paamei Midbar Festival provides a respectable platform for the traditions of the various communities, significantly contributing to community empowerment and to the renewal and intensification of the tradition.  Yeruham is a multicultural Negev settlement with a developing regional center of renewed Jewish creation.  Conducting the Festival in Yeruham not only empowers the town and its cultural achievements, but also contributes to Negev development through strong collaborative efforts with various factors in the region.

The Festival is a highlight of Piyut learning and creation within the educational and community system, serving as a catalyst for its further enhancement through choirs, Piyut classes, Baqashot Sabbaths and more, conducted year-round.

The Piyut Festival is a town project led by the local authority, Yeruham community center, Atid BaMidbar (The Future is in the Desert) and many other organizations within and outside of Yeruham.

The Paamei Midbar Festival takes places annually during Hol HaMoed Succoth.