The National Tu Bishvat,Event is synonymous with KKL-JNF and for the past 20+ years has been a major activity of the CAARI (Canadian & American Active Retirees in Israel) group. It is one of our major volunteer experiences.
Here, in Israel it is a festival of renewal, a celebration of nature and a holiday of the environment. It is an event for all ages.
Thousands of Israelis from all over the country visit KKL-JNF forests to plant trees over the next few days. It is lovely to see families young and old, with saplings in hand, walking to the planting sites to plant the green pine sapling, gather the earth around it and say the planter’s prayer. Many of the children make their own signs and proudly tag their sapling! With time these saplings will grow and develop into trees that will provide fresh green areas for Israel’s residents and help to combat global warming and preserve the environment.
CAARI boarded the buses around 7:30 driving toward Jerusalem to Mishmar Mishmar Ayalon, located near the area of Latrun. It was quite a site to see the hillside dotted with the KKL-JNF flags, which located the dug holes to plant the saplings. Buses brought the people to the site and over the day. CAARI handed out over 4000 saplings to the happy planters, young and old. It also gave us a chance to meet and speak with Israelis, help them plants, take pictures of the families and enjoy the festive day!
Shabbat Shalom,
CAARI 2019