If it is Tuesday, it must be Forest Day.
It is a sunny and warm day with temperatures in the high 70’s, but very windy. We aren’t used to a weather pattern with desert winds!
Off we go to meet very special people in Horhsim Forest, about a half hour outside of Tel Aviv. This JNF Forest was established in the 40’s. We met 91 year old “Yashke” Staretch and his daughter Miri. They have dedicated this recreation area, with picnic tables, walking paths through Byzantine ruins and lovely vistas, in memory of Hezi (son and brother) who was killed by a suicide bomber on a bicycle on 11.11.94 at Netzerim Junction in Gaza just south of the City of Gaza.
CAARI works here every year, as Hezi was Neil’s IDF commander. We are always greeted us with a warm reception, including food and drink. After all, we need our nourishment to work! And, work we did!
This forest was badly burned, in a deliberately set fire, in 2016. So we did a mitzvah. Yashke’s plan was for us to clean an area that was burned by the fire. With pick, hoe and rake in hand, we cleared the area, dug the holes and planted rosemary saplings. 
Couldn’t believe that 4 hours passed so quickly. Love being outside in February! CAARI works! We did have our picnic lunch indoors, due to wind conditions.
