andEvents

Activitiesin Nature

Special SpringHolidays Supplement

and

3 |

A Message from KKL-JNF World Chairman

May Events at KKL-JNF Sites

Golda Meir Park Turns Blue

Camping in KKL-JNF Parks and Forests

Water - The Source of Life

Jordan Park - Outdoor Fun for Everyone

The Arava on Wheels

Cycling Singles of Ruhama and Shikma

Accessible Nature for All at the Disabled Veterans' Park

Tropical Fish and Crocodiles in the Desert

Spring at the Hula Lake

In the Footsteps of Heroes

Zionist Ecology - From Palermo, Italy to the Jerusalem Hills

Contents:2

4

12

14

18

20

22

24

26

28

30

32

34

Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund1 KKL Street, Jerusalem 91072 Israelwww.kkl.org.il www.kkl.org.il/eng

Kav Laya'ar, KKL-JNF Forest Hotline: 1-800-350-550

For Donations: 02-6707402, 03-5261120. Toll-free: 1-800-91-91-60

KKL-JNF Deputy Spokesperson: Sagit Rahamim

Editor: Ahuva Bar-Lev, Director of Liaison,Information and Publications Department

Photos: KKL-JNF Photography Archives; Pnina Livni, manager

Cover photo by: KKL-JNF photo archive

Special thanks to the Jerusalem Post graphics and production department

For details and information about events, and to receive e-yarok, a weekly touring magazine in Hebrew, sent to your e-mail address, please contact Kav Layaar, the forest hotline, at 1-800-350-550, or visit the KKL-JNF website at www.kkl.org.il.

For additional articles and information on visits to KKL-JNF sites throughout Israel, special events, video clips and more, visit KKL-JNF's website: www.kkl.org.il/eng

All the beautiful sites described in this magazine were developed by KKL-JNF, thanks to the support of its friends in Israel and worldwide.

Dear Readers,This Israel Independence Day we will be celebrating 64 years since the establishment of the State of Israel. We will again see the blue and white flags all over Israel, and it will again fill our hearts with pride.The Jewish State was born 64 years ago, but its foundations were laid many years earlier. KKL-JNF is now celebrating 110 years since its establishment, and it was KKL-JNF that inspired the Jewish people with the faith that we could attain independent statehood in the land of Israel, and then purchased lands in Israel in the name of the Jewish nation. The hundreds of communities established on the lands acquired by KKL-JNF later determined, to a great extent, the borders of the State of Israel.Since then, the landscapes of the homeland and the people have been the cornerstones of the work done by KKL-JNF, and we will continue taking care of the national lands and maintaining the forests and woodlands. We will build more reservoirs for agriculture, combat desertification and develop more urban parks all over Israel for the benefit of the public. We will continue promoting environmental education and reinforcing our connection with the Jewish communities in the Diaspora.In the next few years we will be focusing our efforts on developing the Negev and the Galilee. Promoting these regions is one of the most important national challenges facing Israel today.Celebrating Israel Independence Day in natural surroundings has become an Israeli tradition. We invite everyone to spend time in KKL-JNF's forests and recreation areas as we do before every holiday, to take part in the many events that we have prepared especially for the holiday and to take pride in our beautiful land, the good land of Israel.Wishing you a very happy Israel Independence Day,

Efi Stenzler KKL-JNF World Chairman

| 4

Day

On Ben Shemen Forest in Central Israel, and in Tzipori Forest in the NorthIsrael Independence Day, 25 April, 3 Iyar, from 23:30 until dawnIn honor of KKL-JNF's 110th birthday, and the 64th birthday of the State of Israel, KKL JNF invites you to a special celebration on the eve of Israel's Independence Day. At midnight, after an entertaining stage performance, we will sing songs about Israel as well as modern and old-time favorites. The sing-along in Ben Shemen Forest will take place in Mitzpe Modiin with popular singer Einat Saruf. The sing-along in Tzippori Forest will take place at the Tzippori Field Center with the Village Elders (Ziknei Hakfar).Fee: 30 NIS per participant, 40 NIS for e-yarok members. Number of participants is limited. Advance registration is required at Kav Laya'ar, 1-800-350-550.

KKL JNF 110 NIGHTSSINGING ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY IN KKL-JNF FORESTS Photos by Encho Gosh, KKL-JNF

Inde

pend

ence

AT KKL-JNF SITESMAY EVENTS

Celebrating Lag Baomer, Jerusalem Day and Shavuot

| 6

Even

tsM

ay

FREE ON FRIDAY

Every Friday – Free!Fridays in May at 10:00Guided tours with KKL‑JNF on Friday mornings at ten, every week, in charming spots all over Israel. Suitable for all ages, duration 2 to 3 hours, includes driving in private cars and walking short distances on forest trails. May Tours:4.5.12 – Tour the Carmel Forest as the summer approaches, guided tour is in Hebrew and English.11.5.12 – Lag Baomer in caves and towns from the days of the Bar Kochba revolt in Adulam‑France Park.18.5.12 – The Nahal Shikma Scenic Road25.5.12 – The Wheat Road in Halohem Park in British Park in honor of Shavuot. Free, with advance registration at Kav Layaar, the KKL‑JNF Information Hotline, 1‑800‑350‑550. Number of participants is limited.

ORIENTEERING IN THE FOREST FOR ALLCommemorating Ohad Zach in Alonim ForestFriday, 4 May, 12 Iyar, at 07:30The Zevulun Regional Council and the Israel Sport Orienteering Association (ISOA) invite you to participate in a special forest sport, orienteering, in memory of Ohad Zach. Starting times are from 07:30 to 10:00. There are options for popular as well as competitive routes on varied levels of difficulty. At the conclusion of the orienteering there will be activities and an award ceremony.Free of charge

THE MULBERRY TREEBerry Picking in Nahal KishonFriday, 4 May, 12 Iyar, at 13:30A tour of Nahal Kishon, which was recently rehabilitated by KKL‑JNF, from the Elroi Spring to the British Bridge. Along the way we will hear about the Emek Railroad, and at the end of the tour we will pick mulberries, if there are berries on the trees in the grove planted by KKL‑JNF foresters a few years ago. Number of participants is limited.Fee: IS30 per participant, IS20 for e‑yarok members, advance registration required at Kav Layaar, 1‑800‑350‑550.

For reservations and further information, contact Kav Laya'ar – KKL-JNF Forest Hotline:

moked1@kkl.org.ilor call 1-800-350-500 (toll free).

SCENIC LOOKOUTS IN THE FORESTGuided Excursions in the Menashe ForestFriday, 4 May, 12 Iyar, at 14:00, 15:00 and 17:00Saturday, 5 May, 13 Iyar, at 09:00, 10:00 and 13:00Come to the fourth annual Menashe Forest Festival and join an easy tour in the forest to the scenic lookouts. The first tour will be a short one on foot to the observation point at the memorial for the fallen soldiers who were kibbutz members. The longer tours will include exploring the renewal of the oak forests in Ramat Menashe Park and hearing about the biosphere park that was recently recognized by UNESCO. Festival participants will meet at the festival grounds. Other participants will be assigned a meeting point upon registration at Kav Layaar.Free, with advance registration at Kav Layaar, 1‑800‑350‑550.

JERUSALEM PARK WITH KKL-JNF AND YAD BEN ZVIMarathon Tour in Jerusalem for Hiking EnthusiastsThursday, 10 May, 18 Iyar, at 16:00 In honor of the 110th year of KKL‑JNF, the public is invited to join a tour of the Yad Ben Zvi Jerusalem Tour Marathon. Jerusalem Park was recently inaugurated in the western outskirts of the city. The tour will explore Emek Haarazim, Lifta and Ein Lifta, the new bicycle route, the Twin Tower Trail, Givat Alona, the Twin Tower Memorial and Einot Telem. Duration 3 hours. Distance 6 kilometers. Suitable for experienced hikers. Guided by Eitan Katchke, Jerusalem Park Community Coordinator.Fee: Register for this tour (No.20) and other tours in the Tour Marathon at Yad Ben Zvi on their website www.ybz.org.il or by phone at 02‑5398855.

| 8

Even

tsM

ay

Photo by Dror Artzi, KKL-JNF

NAHAL KEZIV4X4 Jeep Trip in the Western GalileeFriday, 11 May, 19 Iyar, at 08:00The Matte Asher and Maale Yosef regional councils invite the public to the Western Galilee for a jeep trip from Lake Monfort to the Tzuriel Crater, Alkosh Forest and Goren Park. Includes a short walk to the statue of the Roman soldier. Duration 5 hours. Medium level of difficulty.Fee: IS160 per ATV, IS120 for e-yarok members. Ride with the guide for a fee. For more information and registration call Kav Layaar at 1-800-2350-550.

LAG BAOMER OUTINGS

A REAL HEROA Hike on the Uri Trail in the KKL-JNF Park in NesherFriday, 11 May, 19 Iyar, at 14:00A special outing in a special park developed in Nahal Ketia, on a trail commemorating the late IDF officer Uri Binamo, who intercepted a suicide bomber, who was about to perpetrate a terror attack in Israel. Along the way we will define heroism and discuss ethical dilemmas, accounts of heroism, self-sacrifice and loyalty. The hike will be guided by KKL-JNF National Service volunteers.Nominal Fee: IS20 per participant, IS10 for e-yarok members, with advance registration at Kav Layaar, 1-800-350-550.

Photo by KKL-JNF A

rchive

WHAT A HERO!Lag Baomer Stories in Adulam-France ParkThursday, 10 May, 18 Iyar, at 17:00Suitable for adults as well as children. Meet an archeologist who will explain about the findings at the excavations of the Etri ruins, where there was once a town that surrendered to the Romans and was destroyed during the Bar Kochba revolt. Simultaneously, there will be KKL-JNF National Service volunteers leading the children around the site and telling them stories about rebels and rulers.Nominal Fee: IS20 per participant, IS10 for e-yarok members, with advance registration at Kav Layaar, 1-800-350-550.

LAG BAOMER STORIESFamily Fun at the Kabri Archeology and Forestry CenterThursday, 10 May, 18 Iyar, at 18:00The regional councils of Matte Asher and Maale Yosef invite the public to the Western Galilee to take part in a Lag Baomer family outing at the Archeology and Forestry Center of KKL-JNF and the Israel Antiquities Authority at the KKL-JNF Center in Kibbutz Kabri. We will hear stories about life in the days of the Second Temple and sit around a campfire in honor of the holiday.Nominal Fee: IS20 per participant, IS10 for e-yarok members, with advance registration at Kav Layaar, 1-800-350-550.

| 10

Even

tsM

ay

Photo by Natal

y Coh

en K

ados

h

Photo by Nataly Cohen Kadosh

JERUSALEM DAY WITH KKL-JNFCELEBRATING JERUSALEMPeople and Stories of JerusalemFriday, 18 May, 26 Iyar, at 14:00Saturday, 19 May, 27 Iyar, at 10:00In honor of Jerusalem Day, walk the streets of the city and meet KKL‑JNF volunteers at the information booths. Find out about people and places in the city through riddles and assignments that weave a tapestry from the stories of special buildings and personalities of Jerusalem. Conclusion at the National Institutes Plaza, where we will learn about the KKL‑JNF Golden Books of Honor. Bring a camera for photographing the answers to the riddles and include them in the family photo album you will receive.Fee: IS40 per family, IS20 per family with e‑yarok membership, advance registration required at Kav Layaar, 1‑800‑350‑550.

Photo by Yossi Zamir, KKL-JNF

AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY MINUTESTrees from all over the World in the Ilanot Forest ArboretumSaturday, 12 May, 20 Iyar, at 10:00Trees from all over the world were collected in order to research the possibility of their acclimatization in Israel. A tour of the arboretum will be guided by KKL‑JNF National Service volunteers, who will acquaint us with the trees and their immigration to Israel, telling us about the trees that were more successful and those that were less successful. Suitable for families with children from age 5 to 10. Duration 3 hours.Nominal Fee: IS20 per participant, IS10 for e‑yarok members, with advance registration at Kav Layaar, 1‑800‑350‑550.

CYCLING IN JERUSALEM PARKGuided Tour of the Jerusalem Ring Route for Advanced CyclersFriday, 18 May, 26 Iyar, at 06:00A special ride for experienced cyclers on the long bike route developed by KKL‑JNF in the metropolitan park that encompasses Jerusalem. The route is over 40 kilometers long, and the ride is suitable only for cyclers who have had experience with similar routes.Free, with advance registration at Kav Layaar, 1-800-350-550.

MYSTERIOUS RUINSExcursion in the Hills of the Western GalileeFriday, 18 May, 26 Iyar, at 08:00The Matte Asher and Maale Yosef regional councils invite the public to the Western Galilee for a trip to the Gaaton ruin, also known as the Sursuk ruin, a mysterious and enchanting ruin that predates the Crusaders. To the east there is an almond grove, a sheik tomb and antiquities from a Jewish town in the Iron Age. Duration 3 hours. Driving in private cars.Fee: IS30 per participant, IS20 for e‑yarok members, with advance registration at Kav Layaar, 1‑800‑350‑550.

11 |

Shav

uot

Cel

ebra

ting

CELEBRATING SHAVUOT WITH KKL-JNFEVENTS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

PRE-SHAVUOT TIKKUNStudy-Hike in Ayalon-Canada ParkThursday, 24 May, 3 Sivan, at 17:00This pre-Shavuot tikkun will explore ecological topics as presented in the scriptures and in literature. The excursion will begin by foot on paths in Ayalon-Canada Park, where we will hear stories about trees and nature, a stop at the spring for a discussion about people and nature in our sources, and it will conclude with a musical performance. Duration 4 hours. Number of participants is limited.Fee: IS30 per participant, IS20 for e-yarok members, advance registration required at Kav Layaar, 1-800-350-550.

ANTIQUITIES AND HISTORY4X4 Jeep Trip in the Hills of the Western GalileeFriday, 25 May, 4 Sivan, at 08:00The trip will begin with the story of the Yehiam Convoy and will continue via Kabri Forest to the wastewater treatment reservoir in Gaaton, a view of the rock formations and the Sursuk ruin. The route will proceed in Nahal Shaal to the Hashak ruin, where we will explore the ruins of the crusader estate, continue through the ancient olive groves of Mailiya and conclude at the scenic lookout on Har Agar, where the first British reservoir in Israel is located. Duration 5 hours. Easy to medium level of difficulty. Tour will be guided by David Malka.Fee: IS160 per ATV, IS120 for e-yarok members. Ride with the guide for a fee. For more information and registration call Kav Layaar at 1-800-2350-550.

Photo by Natal

y Coh

en K

ados

h

Photo by Nataly Cohen Kadosh

FROM THE TOP OF THE TEL TO THE WELLSPRINGAn Excursion for Experienced Hikers to Tel Jezreel and Ein JezreelFriday, 25 May, 4 Sivan, at 10:00 and 16:00A trip with bible stories in the Jezreel Valley. At Tel Jezreel we will view the panoramic valley and hear about Navot the Jezreelite, King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. The route will continue on a trail down to the spring, where we will hear stories about the Zionist pioneers that settled in the valley. We will conclude with a short walk through the beautiful grove planted in Nahal Harod by KKL-JNF foresters. Fee: IS30 per participant, IS20 for e-yarok members, advance registration required at Kav Layaar, 1-800-350-550.

BreadDairyBake

Cook

REAL BREAD IS BREAD YOU BAKE YOURSELFBread Festival at the Ein Dor Museum

Saturday, 26 May, 5 Sivan, at 10:00KKL-JNF and the Ein Dor Museum invite you to a Shavuot activity—to toil, taste and enjoy a family experience of wheat and bread, with all the stages of preparing bread in the old fashioned way, a guided tour including reaping wheat in the field, threshing, grinding with millstones, and baking pita bread. There will also be a variety of activities at the archeological museum including arts and crafts and games.

Fee: Registration at Kav Layaar, 1-800-350-550, will entitle you to a reduced entrance fee at the museum.

DAIRY DELIGHTSCooking in Tzippori Forest for Children

Monday, 28 May, 7 Sivan, at 16:00Join KKL-JNF National Service volunteers at the Jezreel Valley Milk and Honey Festival for a cooking outing in Tzippori Forest. We will be cooking traditional holiday dishes and looking for some of the ingredients as we walk on the forest trails. The trip will conclude with a wonderful holiday meal we prepared all by ourselves.Nominal Fee: IS20 per participant, IS10 for e-yarok members, with advance registration at Kav Layaar, 1-800-350-550.

| 12

Mak

uya

Mihoko Yugeta and daughter Naomi

O plant this tree, we pray that the legacy of Professor Teshima will be remembered and upheld, even though we are a small group. This tree is a beacon for future generations, just like the other trees planted here.” Mr. Ajyki's remarks had special meaning for the younger pilgrims, who belong to the Makuya Youth Organization, which was founded by Mr. Yugeta and for which he established a new educational center in Japan.

KKL-JNF's Efrat Benvenisti opened the ceremony and lauded the Makuya movement's support: “Your imprint and influence are visible everywhere throughout the Negev, the region of Israel to which you have chosen to contribute and the wellbeing of whose population you have promoted,” she said, emphasizing the long-standing relationship between the Makuya movement, KKL-JNF and the State of Israel.

In his remarks, Ami Uliel, the director of KKL-JNF’s Southern Region, spoke of the high esteem in which the Makuya members are held and of the great appreciation the people of Israel feel for their love, generosity and support of the Negev: “Golda Meir Park, which was established and is maintained by KKL-JNF, is a small oasis in the desert that is kept green with only a small amount of water, but with a lot of soul,” he told those present.

Rioichi Yugeta’s wife Mihoko and her daughter Naomi were the honored guests at the ceremony. After they planted the olive tree, they were presented with a certificate, which they accepted with a gracious curtsy. The formal part of the event concluded with the singing of ‘Oseh shalom bimromav (“He who makes peace on high…”) in Hebrew to the accompaniment of an accordion, a song that is an inseparable part of every Makuya pilgrimage to Israel.

ver two hundred of the six hundred members of the Japanese Makuya movement attended a ceremony to celebrate sixty years of diplomatic relations between

Japan and Israel, which was held in Ramat HaNegev’s Golda Meir Park on March 2012. This event was an expression of the friendship and great affection felt for Israel on the part of the Makuya members, who follow the example of the movement’s founder, Professor Abraham Ikoro Teshima.

Notable participants at the ceremony included the current Chairman of the Makuya, Shin Nagahara, and the director of KKL-JNF’s Southern Region, Ami Uliel. This year's pilgrimage to Israel included many young people, all of whom assembled for a moving ceremony with a dual purpose: to celebrate sixty years of diplomatic relations between Israel and Japan, and to plant a tree in memory of the late Rioichi Yugeta, the former Makuya Chairman who followed in the footsteps of the founder, Professor Teshima.

For the ceremonial tree planting, the KKL-JNF staff selected an adult olive tree that was moved to the edge of the lake in Golda Meir Park, where it was re-planted adjacent to the large rock that bears a dedication to the memory of Professor Teshima and honors the Makuya’s enduring contribution to the development of water sources in the Negev.

“The olive tree symbolizes eternal life, and we are grateful to KKL-JNF for allowing us to plant this tree in memory of Rioichi Yugeta,” said Ephraim Ajyki, one of the leaders of the Makuya movement, whose speech was translated into Hebrew by one of the pilgrims. “We welcome this opportunity to plant a tree next to the tamarisk planted by Mr. Yugeta himself some two years ago, in memory of the widow of the Makuya's founder. As we

By Gabi Bron, Ahuva Bar-Lev | Photos by Gabi Bron

Golda Meir ParkTurns Blue

Members of the Japanese Makuya Movement Celebrate 60 Years of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Israel

| 14

M

in KKL‑JNF Parks and Forests

onto Highway 383 (Gefen – Tirosh) about 2 kilometers before Ella Junction, and drive another 5 kilometers. A little before Kfar Menahem there is a turn into the forest. Halohem Park includes a recreation area with lavatories and water fountains.

Ben Shemen Forest: Ben Shemen Forest is full of picnic and recreation areas, playground facilities, landscaped leisure areas, environmental sculptures, burial caves from the time of the Maccabees, hiking trails, bike paths and ATV trails. It is a wonderful place to get some relief from the urban buzz. To get there turn from Highway 443 to Mitzpe Modi'in.

Campsites in Northern Israel:Lavi Forest: Lavi Forest is near Golani Junction. It is a great place for picnic enthusiasts and offers everything you need – picnic tables, great playground equipment (even swings and carousels that are suitable for the physically impaired), bio lavatories and running water. In the forest there are remains of the Jewish town of Lavi from the era of the rebellion against the Romans. Access is on the road to Tiberias from Golani Junction. Follow the signs.

Adamit Park Recreation Areas: Adamit Park, which is next to the town of Shelomi in the Western Galilee (on Highway 899),

ore and more families have been going on camping trips in forests all over Israel. Camping equipment is easily available and for the cost of one night in a lodge you can

organize a whole camping kit and enjoy unforgettable, relaxing weekends under the stars, on a stream bank or in a forest grove.

In recent years, KKL‑JNF has opened forests to the public at night, too. Assisted by its friends all over the world KKL‑JNF has developed convenient, accessible campsites all over Israel. They are open to the public every day of the year and require no entrance fee. In some of the campsites there are bathrooms, barbecue facilities and running water. Campfires in the forest are forbidden except in especially designated areas.

For details about each campsite, its services and how to get there, call Kav Layaar, the KKL‑JNF Information Hot Line: 1‑800‑350‑550

KKL‑JNF Campsites in Central, Northern and Southern IsraelCampsites in Central Israel:Begin Park – Bar Giora Campsite: Majestic hills covered with Mediterranean woodland and pines towering above channels that wend their way through the wild landscape. Next to the entrance to the forest, near the community of Bar Giora (on Highway 386 at the 15 km marker), is a campsite with picnic tables, barbecue facilities and water fountains.

British Park – Tel Azeka Campsite: British Park is a model for sustainable development with a great diversity of birds and wildlife, natural woodland, groves, picnic areas and recreation and sports facilities. The campsite is accessible from the north entrance to the park near Azeka Junction on Highway 383 and has bio lavatories.

Haruvit Forest – Halohem Park: In Haruvit Forest in the Judean lowland there is an accessible route for the physically challenged, with hiking paths that are suitable for all. To get there, drive on Highway 38 from Bet Shemesh toward Ella Junction, turn left

By KKL‑JNF staff

Camping

Phot

o by

Pni

na L

ivni

, KK

L-JN

F

15 |

PicnicFamilyPhoto by KKL-JNF Archive Photo

has fruit trees and a panoramic view from Rosh Hanikra to the Carmel mountain range, indigenous herbs, shady trees and a sea breeze. The park has picnic areas, barbecue facilities, running water, green lavatories, benches, scenic roads accessible for cars and footpaths for easy hiking with accessibility for the physically challenged. There is an access footpath from the park to the Keshet Cave.

Ein Zeitim Recreation Area in Biriya Forest: Biriya Forest is full of natural springs and historical sites, tombs of the righteous, towering cedars, orchard groves, picnic areas and the Biriya Fortress, a symbol of the Jewish people’s determination to repatriate their land. The Ein Zeitim Recreation Area is on the edge of the forest and has playground equipment, picnic tables and running water. You can get there from Highway 85 (Akko – Tzefat).

Jordan Park: The largest and most beautiful camping site in northern Israel. Jordan Park (entrance fee) covers a thousand dunams near the main channel of the Jordan River north of Lake Kinneret. The park has many charming landscaped areas with green lawns that are suitable for family camping and overnights,

with running water, hot showers, bathrooms, illumination at night, playground equipment for children and more. There is a special camping area in the park in a shady, pleasant grove of eucalyptus trees, olive trees and jujubes, near the flour mills and wading pools.

Campsites in Southern Israel:Malachim Forest – Shahariya: Hiking trails and bike paths for all ages, bio lavatories and regular bathrooms, water fountains and playground equipment for children.

Beerotayim Recreation Area: From Nitzana turn toward Azuz Beerotayim. There you will find water fountains and picnic tables in an enchanting location with trees over fifty years old.

Sapir Park: The park has a lake with grass around it, reeds, palm trees, baobab trees, a sculpture garden, ducks floating on the water, picnic tables and bio bathrooms. Access is from the road to Eilat through the Arava, Highway 90, between Ein Yahav and Tzofar.

| 16

Photo by Malka Barkay, KKL-JNF

Phot

o by

KKL

-JNF A

rchive

Haroeh Recreation Area: This campsite has picnic tables and water fountains and is situated in a shady grove of tamarisk trees near the main road (Highway 40) across from the entrance to Kibbutz Sede Boker. The recreation area was named to commorate Barbara Propper, a pioneer at Sede Boker who was killed by Bedouins in 1952 near the grove. There is a bike path that starts there.

Lahav Forest: Lahav Forest covers an area of more than 30,000 dunams in the southern foothills of the Judean lowland. The forest has a few recreation areas suitable for camping – the Campbell campsite, the Discharged Soldiers Recreation Area, and the Oranim Recreation Area – with picnic tables, playground equipment, water fountains and access roads. The Campbell Recreation Area is wheelchair accessible.

Golda Park: In a vale in the heart of the Negev highland KKL‑JNF developed a large recreation site with a lake, picnic areas, expansive lawns and an observation point. The park is located near Mashabim Junction and covers an area of 540 dunams. In addition to the lake, there are water fountains, bathrooms, picnic tables and barbecue facilities.

Rules of Conduct in Recreation AreasDo not litter: Bring big trash bags from home. At the end of the day, take the trash with you so that wild animals do not scatter it in the forest. If this is not possible, dispose of the trash in designated areas only. If there is no room left in the trash bins, tie

the trash bags well, and place them near the bins. Do not hang the trash bags on the trees.

Overnight camping: In most of the forests there is no night illumination, and there are no guards or security services. Not all the campsites are equipped with lavatories and running water. For information about camp grounds for groups, and for more details, call the KKL‑JNF Information Hot Line, Kav Layaar: 1‑800‑350‑550.

Making campfires: For the prevention of wildfires, making a fire is not permitted in the forests except in designated places. KKL‑JNF recreation areas are equipped with barbecue facilities in especially designated locations.

| 18

I

The ofSourceAhuva Bar-Lev, Avraham Leader | Photos by KKL-JNF Photo Archive

Water -

who lives in Israel. The choice of this year’s torchbearers reflects the centrality of water for life in our country.”

Hannah Hacohen, Director of the National Ceremony Center at Israel’s Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs, said: “This is a wonderful list of people who were chosen after a complex process. Each torchbearer represents initiative and a field of activity related to the central theme. Coping with the fact that Israel is a country dependent on life-bestowing water is part of our renaissance in our homeland and a sign of our ability to face the challenges that confront us by means of determination, initiative, creativity and a strong belief in the path we have chosen.”

Moshe Cohen – Thirty years in the service of mankind and the environment Moshe Cohen, KKL-JNF’s Director of Development Projects, was born in 1945 in Kibbutz Ashdot Yaakov, and graduated from the Technion’s Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, where he specialized in soil, water and plant technology. Today he is considered a world-renowned expert on soil preservation, water reclamation for agricultural purposes and the diversion of runoff water for collection in reservoirs.Moshe Cohen's biography reflects the best in Israeli society. When he was in Kibbutz Ashdot Yaakov, he worked as a youth group educator. He served in the Israeli army as an infantry officer and an armored patrol officer, and when he returned to the kibbutz, he combined his educational duties with a variety of farm responsibilities. He has been working since 1982 for KKL-JNF, an organization that focuses on the practical realization of Zionist ideals, a vision that corresponds to Cohen’s own. Under his management, KKL-JNF has so far constructed some 240 water reservoirs throughout Israel, desert regions included. Almost single-handedly, Moshe Cohen has turned KKL-JNF's reservoirs into Israel’s fourth aquifer.

Moshe developed KKL-JNF’s tricolor symbol, which uses brown, blue and green to symbolize the organization’s development, conservation and restoration projects according to the natural

n anticipation of Israel’s 64th Independence Day, the Chairman of the Knesset’s Ministerial Committee on Ceremonies and Symbols announced the names of

the thirteen people who were chosen to light torches at the ceremony on the eve of Independence Day, the 3rd of Iyyar 5772 (April 25th, 2012), on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. This year’s theme is "Water, the Source of Life", and Moshe Cohen, who is responsible for KKL-JNF's water reservoir project, is one of the people who was chosen to light a torch.

The thirteen representatives were chosen by a public committee headed by National Ceremony Center Director Hannah Hacohen. Avi Dickstein, Director of KKL-JNF’s Resources and Development Division, who was also a member of the committee, explained: “The fact that a KKL-JNF staff member is lighting one of the torches is a sign of the esteem in which the State of Israel holds our organization and an expression of appreciation for KKL-JNF’s unique contribution to the country’s water economy. The 240 reservoirs established by KKL-JNF help Israel’s water economy by collecting floodwater and purified sewage water. These reservoirs are designed to refill twice a year, which means that they contribute about half a billion cubic meters to the water economy and supply approximately half the quantity of water required for Israel’s agriculture.

“The reservoirs established by KKL-JNF with the assistance of its friends worldwide help irrigate half a million dunam of agricultural land (one dunam = approximately a quarter of an acre), which produce tens of thousands of tons of fruit, vegetables and flowers. Most of this produce is exported, providing a livelihood for thousands of families in Israel’s Negev and Galilee regions,” Dickstein concluded.

Mr. Stas Misezhnikov, the Minister of Tourism, who is the chairman of the Ministerial Committee on Ceremonies and Symbols, said: “At this particular juncture in time, the issue of water, which is the central theme of this year’s Independence Day, has assumed increased national importance. It is both a local and a global issue that impacts each and every individual

KKL-JNF Water Reservoir Expert Moshe Cohen chosen to light torch on Independence Day

Life

Moshe Cohen

19 |

Life

Sour

ce o

f

resources that they represent: soil (brown), water (blue) and landscape (green).

Moshe Cohen is considered an oracle on a wide range of issues relating to soil and water, and he is also involved with the development of innovative water-purification techniques, such as KKL-JNF’s bio-filter project, which biologically purifies urban runoff. The water thus “saved” is used for recreation, tourism, fish-farming and to augment ground water.

Cohen represents KKL-JNF at international conferences and hosts experts visiting from abroad. Under his tutelage, KKL-JNF plays a leading role in river drainage and flood prevention in Israel. He has also planned land management projects that have solved the problem of salinity in the fields of communities in the Dead Sea region.In addition, Cohen has done much work in KKL-JNF's Hula Valley and the Hula Lake restoration project. This KKL-JNF restoration project has transformed the area from an ecological disaster into an area flourishing with a great diversity of vegetation and wildlife.

Moshe Cohen is the driving force behind KKL-JNF’s river restoration project. He is a member of the administration of many of Israel’s watercourses, including the Jordan, Lachish, Soreq, Besor, Beersheba, Harod and Taninim streams. Many of these waterways were formerly sewage canals, but now, thanks to KKL-JNF, they have become beautiful public parks and preferred recreation sites for the Israeli public.

Another unique field to which Moshe Cohen devotes his expertise is soil conservation and the prevention of erosion at KKL-JNF sites. One such project is soil conservation in Switzerland Forest, on the slopes above Tiberias, the goal of which is to

prevent the steep hillside from eroding and endangering the lives of the people living below. Increased soil erosion also makes it difficult for farmers to continue working their fields.

Cohen also works together with Mr. Itzik Moshe, the Deputy Director of KKL-JNF's Southern Region, who leads KKL-JNF efforts to combat desertification, which threatens vast areas throughout the world. Among the techniques used by KKL-JNF to combat this troublesome phenomenon is runoff-water harvesting, in which rainwater flowing downhill is collected and diverted to areas earmarked for planting. These areas are planted with bushes and trees, which, with the passage of time, enrich the soil with organic materials, thereby increasing the ground’s fertility potential and encouraging the growth of vegetation that provides grazing for flocks and wild animals.

Along with all his other occupations, Moshe Cohen continues to devote time to education, which has remained close to his heart. He prepares professional explanatory materials for KKL-JNF and lectures teachers, guides and youth workers on KKL-JNF’s activities, in addition to sharing his knowledge with other professionals. He initiated and developed GIS - KKL-JNF’s Geographical Information System, a sophisticated mapping system that is a vital tool for the management of Israel’s forests and open spaces, which is also used by the fire service when necessary.

The many and diverse KKL-JNF activities and projects that Moshe Cohen has furthered and developed have made an enormous contribution to the state, its people and its environment. He serves as an example of a person whose vital work for Israel is done quietly and with modesty.

The Besor reservoir

Moshe Cohen

The Nirim reservoir

| 20

H

Outdoor Fun for Everyone

Jordan Park is situated next to the eastern channel of the Jordan River. The channel banks and the islands between them are covered with dense vegetation, mostly reeds and willows, which create a riverbank “forest” and, in addition to the willow, there are typical riverbank plants. Not far from the water there are trees, mainly jujubes. There are birds hiding in the flora, and swimming in the water are swamp tortoises and various kinds of fish.

Sites in the ParkThe Flour Mills SiteThere were at least twelve flour mills in Jordan Park in the past, which utilized the abundant water flowing in the Jordan channel. The water was conducted to the mills in four lined trenches. One of them has been restored and conducts water to two flour mills situated next to the park's main recreation area.

Beit Saida (Tel Mishpa)Tel Mishpa rises 25 meters above its surroundings in the southeastern section of Jordan Park. It seems that in the days of the First Temple there was a town here called Tzar, the capital of the kingdom of Geshur. From this era there are remnants of

ow do you get there?Drive north from Tiberias on the highway west of the

Sea of Galilee, Highway 87. Cross the Jordan River on Arik Bridge and continue about 3 kilometers until Beit Saida

Junction. Turn left (north) onto Highway 808, and after about 2 kilometers you will be at the entrance to the park, which is on the left side of the road. You can also get to Beit Saida Junction from Highway 92, the highway east of Lake Kinneret.

Three rivers, the Dan, the Hermon (Banias) and the Snir (Hatzbani), converge to create the Jordan River, the largest river in Israel. After the Jordan River passes the Hula Valley, it enters a narrow basalt channel and flows out of it into the Beit Saida Valley and on to the Sea of Galilee.

Jordan Park is located in the Beit Saida Valley, just before the Jordan flows into the Kinneret. The valley is a basin filled with eroded soil brought down from the Golan Heights by the Jordan River and its tributaries. Due to the plain and the great quantity of erosion, there are secondary channels in the valley that bypass the barriers and find their way to the Kinneret.

By Yaacov Shkolnik | Photos by Ilan Lorntzy

Jordan Park - Jordan Park—with the largest river in Israel, great lawns, ancient mills, hiking trails, Tel Beit Saida and overnight campsites—is waiting for you. Jordan Park has been developed and is maintained by contributions from friends of KKL‑JNF all over the world

Park

Jord

an

a palace, a great city gate, a strong wall and striking structures. The kingdom of Geshur maintained close contact with King David, who married Maacha the daughter of Talmai, the King of Geshur. There was a fishing village in Beit Saida in the days of the Second Temple, which explains its name, which means the fishing house. In the year 30 BCE, Herod’s son Philip developed the town and changed its name to Lulias in honor of the wife of the Roman Emperor Augustus. Philip was partial to the town and chose to be buried there (34 CE).

Three important emissaries of the Christian church were born in Beit Saida: Peter, his brother Andrew, and Philip, and many Christian pilgrims visit this site. Jesus visited the town and performed miracles there, such as restoring the vision of a blind man, and the miracle of the loaves and fishes.

Excavations were undertaken at the site in 1987 by the University of Nebraska, Omaha, USA, led by Prof. Rami Arav. The dig revealed remains of the biblical city and of the fishing village in the Second Temple period. KKL‑JNF developed a marked hiking trail at the site with suggested restorations of the remnants of the important buildings and with quotes from ancient scriptures that describe Beit Saida.

At the foot of the hill there is a spring called Ein Mishpa, which creates a small, pretty stream that flows to the Jordan River. You can get to the spring by a new footpath that descends from the mound. You can also get to it by car, from the park, on a road that is accessible for the handicapped. Near the stream are picnic tables.

Hiking RoutesAll the routes are marked and have signposts with arrows. They are suitable for hiking all year round, except for the Aqueduct Route, which is not recommended in the summer.

1. The Short Water Route. The Purple Routen Starting point and endpoint: the flour mills (circular route)n Distance: 400 metersn Duration: 15 minutesThis is a very short and easy hike around the flour mills and is suitable for families with babies. The path starts at the flour mills, passes the water trenches for 150 meters and ascends (together with the Yellow Route) alongside another channel and through a “tunnel” made of reeds.

2. The Flour Mills Route. The Red Route.n Starting point and endpoint: the flour mills (circular route)n Distance: 1,100 metersn Duration: 30 minutesFrom the flour mills site the path goes west and climbs along a flowing channel of the Jordan River. There are willow trees, reed “tunnels” and oleander bushes along the way, as well as remnants of abandoned flour mills. Swamp tortoises and brush fowl are permanent residents all along the route.

3. The Eden Route. The Yellow Route.n Starting point and endpoint: the flour mills (circular route)n Distance: 2,200 metersn Duration: 75 minutesThe path starts at the flour mills and descends along a channel. Then it crosses the channel westward and reaches a grand sycamore tree. The route continues along the main eastern tributary of the Jordan, returns to the channel that was crossed earlier and descends back to the flour mills alongside an ancient aqueduct.

4. The Aqueduct Route. The Blue Route.n Starting point and endpoint: the flour mills (circular route)n Distance: 1,800 metersn Duration: 1 hourGoing north from the flour mills site, the path crosses a dirt road and climbs to where the path turns left. There, at the top of the hill, the beautiful landscape of the Jordan River comes into view, as it emerges from the basalt rocks and flows into the valley of Beit Saida. The path descends to a metal dam and the trench that diverts water from the Jordan to the park's flour mills. The path follows the aqueduct for 600 meters and returns to the flour mills site.

KayakingThe Abu Kayak site operates a route for kayaking and canoeing from Jordan Park to the estuary into the Kinneret. There are reduced rates for friends of KKL‑JNF. Tel: 04‑6921078

Rules of ConductNo bathing is permitted in the Jordan River. (Bathing is allowed in the pool near the flour mills.)Making a fire is allowed in designated locations.Fishing is allowed with fishing rods only.Entrance ticket is valid for 24 hours. Please keep your ticket for verification upon leaving the park.

21 |

| 22

I

The

onArava

WheelsText and photos by Ronit Svirsky

below the site. The cycling route proceeds from there to an observation point with a view of the new Timna quarries and the embankment. The circular route concludes by returning to the lake.

Kibbutz Lotan Ecological RouteThe Ecological Route is 2.5 kilometers long and is part of the Lotan Ring Route, which is 11.4 kilometers long. The difficulty level is easy, and the route starts from the entrance to the kibbutz along the dirt road towards EcoKef. It turns south towards the cowshed and proceeds along the fence of the kibbutz until it gets back to the entrance gate. This short route cycles through the ecological EcoKef site, where you can play with games made of recycled materials, participate in workshops where you can build with mud and do arts and crafts and other activities related to organic farming. The site includes a teahouse that offers organic meals and goat milk products made in the kibbutz dairy. The numerous projects undertaken in Kibbutz Lotan were created and developed with the assistance of friends of KKL‑JNF all over the world, including the USA, Canada and Australia.

The Yahel Cycling Route for FamiliesThis route is 12 kilometers long and is described as easy to medium level difficulty. It starts at Kibbutz Yahel and then crosses the Arava Highway by an underground pass and continues northward. The route goes until the Arandel Farm, which is involved in tourism and farming. The Roman milestones and the antiquities show that the road was once part of the Incense Road. Some people say it was one of the places where the Israelites camped on the way from Egypt to Israel. Near the hill there are remains of a Roman fortress. The view to west includes

n their wildest dreams, cyclers fantasize about bike trails in nature, free of urban drone and environmental interference. They dream of fresh air, expansive

landscapes and panoramic views. The good news is that there are one hundred kilometers of new bike trails in the Arava, and many of them are suitable for family cycling.

Partners to this project included the Eilot Regional Council, KKL‑JNF and its friends all over the world, including the USA and Germany, the Israel Government Tourism Corporation, the ICA Foundation and the Israel Ministry of Agriculture. The trails were marked, completed, signposted and adapted to cycling at different levels of difficulty. The new cycling routes include a 4 kilometer family circular route in Timna Park, a 14.2 kilometer single in Timna for skilled cyclers, the 12 kilometer Yahel route for families, an 8.5 kilometer single in Nahal Yahel, 7.5 kilometers on the Great Dune of Yahel, an 11.4 kilometer circular route around Lotan, the Enchanted Garden 8.1 kilometer route in Lotan, 6.1 kilometers in Samar‑Elifaz and the 8.3 kilometer route in Sassgon Valley.

One of the most fascinating sites to see on a cycling route is Timna Park. The 4 kilometer family route through the park goes to and from Nehushtan Lake and back to it. The route passes through the natural and scenic sites of the park, the Pillars of Solomon, the Mushroom and the Arches.

The Timna Single RouteThe new Timna Single was completed by KKL‑JNF with the assistance of cycling experts including Yoav Bahat and Rami Gold. The trail was planned in accordance with the terrain and the environment, and it runs through geological and archeological sites without harming them. Wooden footbridges were constructed in the sand without digging, and the trails are marked with indigenous stone.

The route is 14.2 kilometers long, on a medium level of difficulty, and is suitable for experienced bike riders only. The route begins next to Solomon’s Columns ‑ magnificent, huge, natural stone columns that are an integral part of the side of the cliff. At the western end of the columns the trail merges with the Ram Al segment. After about 1 and a half kilometers the trail reaches a road and then continues to the Mushroom Junction, turns left and reaches the Mushroom Visitors Center. This is an unusual, natural rock formation that resulted from erosion of the red sandstone. Next to it is a Visitors Center where visitors can see how copper was processed, and learn about the Egyptian village

23 |

Whe

els

Ara

va o

n

white stone symbols on the slopes. On the left is the Golani insignia, in the middle the IDF

symbol and on the right the Palmach insignia. The route ends by turning east to the open expanses that

view the mountains of Edom. The trail continues through the cultivated fields of Kibbutz Yahel and then goes west back to the kibbutz.

The Sassgon Valley Route and Rambo’s DuneThe Sassgon Valley Route is 8.3 kilometers long and is described as easy to medium level difficulty. It requires technical skill and involves segments that are challenging. You reach it from the road that goes from Elifaz Junction toward Timna Park. It starts at the Petrol Road station and from there it goes west toward the open mine where copper was mined in 1984. The route continues toward Nahal Menagen, which is north of the Great Dune. Local residents call it Rambo’s Dune because some of Rambo III was filmed there. The route continues south and meets the Israel National Trail. It continues through Sassgon Valley, crosses Nahal Timna and returns to the entrance of Timna Park.

The Samar-Elifaz Route and the Desert KiteThe route starts at the entrance to Kibbutz Samar and is described as easy cycling. It is 6 kilometers long, and it ends at the access road to Timna Park. The trail turns west to the Kite Road and continues along the fence of Kibbutz Samar until the turn south to the Petrol Road and from there to the endpoint. The trail passes through the hills of Timna Valley and the Mountains of Edom. The Desert Kite site is an ancient hunting trap. There are remains in the area of two low stone walls that lead to a closed, low spot. The Desert Kite method, which served deer hunters, was identified in the nineteenth century and recognized by a pilot in the British

RAF. The facility is based on the tendency of deer to proceed in a regular fashion so that they could be led to enter a trap without noticing it. Later on the route is a solar energy facility that produces electricity from sunlight. The facility includes a tower and concave mirrors that revolve facing the sun and concentrate the rays into a cell on the tower. The rays heat the air in the cell, and the pressure causes the electrical turbines to move. The facility is hybrid, and may be powered by other energy sources after sunset.

The cycling routes in the Arava offer a diversity of terrain conditions and different levels of cycling difficulty that can suit every cycler, from beginners to experts. Visitors of all ages may now combine a hike or a vacation in the Arava with a tour to sites that until now were hard to reach in cars or even in ATVs.

| 24

Rules of conduct:n Use only the path marked by KKL‑JNF or the Israel Trails

Committee.n Adapt cycling and walking to terrain and weather

conditions.n In places where it is hard to cycle, cross on foot.n Be equipped with First Aid equipment for cycling and

walking.n Be considerate of other people using the trail.n Your safety on the outing is your responsibility. Do not

endanger yourself or others.n Do not litter. Take your trash with you.n There are open pits and caves in the area. Do not

enter them except at marked sites. Same goes for the archeological excavations in the area.

R

Cycling Singlesof andRuhama

Text and phoros by Eyal Inbar

ShikmaRuhama BadlandsThe Ruhama Badlands west of the Kibbutz Ruhama are famous, and they attract many visitors. KKL‑JNF has recently begun to develop the area east of the kibbutz for hikes and bikes, in conjunction with the Shikma Region Authority. The network of trails in the Shikma basin is part of a national program to encourage cycling and develop infrastructure for cycling. The plans include 110 to 120 km of paths, mainly singles, and about 44 km of these have been completed so far.

In this relatively limited area, there is a diversity of scenery, including streambeds, pine forest, eucalyptus trees and open spaces with wheat fields typical to the region. The vicinity is easy to navigate and offers many routes. In addition to the bicycle paths, KKL‑JNF has also paved the Nahal Shikma Scenic Road, so one may also enjoy the scenery from a car window. The cycling

egion: Southern IsraelDifficulty level: EasyDistance: The path described below is a combination

of the Ruhama Dorot Ring and the Tzefoni Ring, with an optional extension to and from Hirbet Marshan. Total distance is 26 kilometers.

KKL‑JNF has developed many projects in the area with the help of its friends worldwide and for the benefit of local residents and visitors, including the Ruhama Dorot Ring, 17 km; the Tzefoni Ring in the Shikma area, 12 km; and the Bror Hayil Ring, 15 km.

Accumulated Altitude: 200 meters

Cycling time: 3 to 5 hours, depending on cycling level

Recommended season: Spring (not on rainy days, it is too muddy)

Circular: Yes, with some optional extensions that are not circular

Starting point: Kibbutz Dorot

End point: Kibbutz Dorot (circular route)

How to get there: Exit from Highway 4 at Berachia Junction to Highway 35. Turn right at Givati Junction to Highway 232. A little before Sederot turn left to Highway 334 and, after several kilometers, you will see the entrance to Kibbutz Dorot, and the recreation area will be on your left. (A few kilometers farther, on the right, is the entrance to Kibbutz Ruhama.)

Signs: The signposts and the five access points are in the process of being completed, and they should be finished on all 44 kilometers of the singles by May. They will be marked in green, for the basic cycling level, and in the vicinity of Nir Moshe they will be marked in blue, for the medium difficulty cycling level.

25 |

Sing

les

Ruh

ama

is not especially challenging, technically, and is more suitable for family outings than for thrill seekers. There are three ring routes, the Ruhama Dorot Ring, the Tzefoni Shikma Ring and the Bror Hayil Ring, which may be combined creatively.

The next stage of the project includes developing routes connecting Ruhama, Beit Kama and the Pura Reserve.

The Nir Moshe single, which is a more challenging cycling path, was completed in the southern part of the project. It is an exciting ring route that is 10 kilometers long.

Ruhama Dorot Ring and Tzefoni Shikma Ring Combined RouteThe following route is a combination of most of the Ruhama Dorot Ring Route and the Tzefoni Shikma Ring Route. Each of them is an independent route but are described here as one longer, continuous ring.

Park the car at the entrance to Kibbutz Dorot. Warm up by cycling the mostly level single along Nahal Dorot towards Kibbutz Ruhama. (The single merges with the Nahal Shikma Scenic Road from time to time, but only for very few meters.) Cross Highway 334, carefully, and continue on the twists and turns to Kibbutz Ruhama. (You could also have parked your car there.) Proceed from there and gather some elevation on a relatively wide trail. You can stop for a break to see the antiquities and the mosaics around Hirbet Jamama and to admire the expansive landscape of hills covered with wheat fields.

Towards the end of the climb, you reach a fire watchtower, which was constructed by KKL‑JNF with the assistance of friends of KKL‑JNF in Ireland. Here you can also see remnants of the first Negev water pipeline and also replenish your water supply. Then, after an easy climb the path enters a wadi covered with eucalyptus trees. This segment is like a single again and, although it has no leaps or other technical challenges, it is possible to accelerate here and enjoy the many curves.

After about 4 km from the beginning of the single, we recommend doing a 3 km climb to Hirbet Marshan. At the end of

Additional InformationRecreation and rest areas:Ibim Recreation Area, slightly north of the Ibim Dorot Junction on Highway 232, has picnic tables, playground equipment, water fountains and bio lavatories, and is accessible for the handicapped. The Ibim Recreation Area was developed with contributions from friends of KKL‑JNF worldwide including the USA, Canada and Switzerland.

Kibbutz Ruhama Recreation Area has picnic tables and water fountains.

Accessibility for the Physically Challenged: There is a wide road that traverses the area, the Nahal Shikma Scenic Road, which is suitable for family cars.

Hiking Map: No.13 (Negev Coastal Plain)

this trail, which is partly a single and partly merges with the Nahal Shikma Scenic Road, there is a panorama of the farmed fields of Kibbutz Ruhama in all their splendor. (This observation point is also on the Bror Hayil Ring Route.)

Backtrack to the fork in the road and proceed another 3 km on the winding, forested path to the juncture with Nahal Dov. Then cycle in the open landscapes for 2 km, where there is a wide road alongside the path, but you can stay on the single until the entrance to Nahal Ruhama and proceed from there along the streambed for the final 2 km of the route. When you leave Nahal Ruhama you will get to the road, on the other side of which you will find your car at the entrance to Kibbutz Dorot.

Cycling tips:The climate is arid. It is therefore recommended to start out early and enjoy the chill of the night as exuded by the fields. On sunny days in the winter it is also very hot for cycling in the afternoon.Water is available at Kibbutz Ruhama.On rainy days the route is muddy and impassable. After rainfall one should give the area at least two sunny days before cycling, although one may ride the gravel paths, which are less affected by rain.

| 26

T

Accessible Nature for Allat the

By Yoav Devir, Ahuva Bar-Lev | Photos by Yoav Devir

Disabled Veterans' ParkTzvika Gur, a disabled IDF veteran who was wounded during active service in the First Lebanese War, is a professional accessibility consultant, and he helped KKL-JNF plan the path and adapt it to the needs of people with disabilities. “When we started the project over a decade ago, hardly any natural areas were open to people with disabilities,” Gur recalls. “This innovative project has become a model that has since been copied in many other parts of the country. KKL-JNF is a pioneer in this field and has initiated significant social change.”

The fundamental aim of the project is to allow people with disabilities to go out with their families and enjoy a tranquil picnic and excursion in natural surroundings. The picnic tables have been modified to accommodate wheelchair-users, and disabled drivers can park their cars close by and sit comfortably at the table with other family members. The broad paths are suitable for wheelchairs and are edged with sloping curbstones to reduce slipping and prevent visually impaired hikers from straying from the trail.

he Disabled Veterans’ Park (Park HaLohem in Hebrew) in Haruvit Forest enables people with disabilities to enjoy nature just like anyone else. The entire site has been

made accessible, and convenient paths have been provided to allow access – including wheelchair access – to the picnic tables and to all the other areas of the park.

The park, which covers an area of 300 dunam (approx 75 acres) in the Judean lowlands, was established by KKL-JNF in conjunction with the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization, with the help of donations from friends of KKL-JNF in Canada and communities elsewhere.

About a decade ago, KKL-JNF Canada contributed funds for the construction of the two-kilometer Trail between the Rocks, which leads to a scenic lookout with a magnificent view of Israel’s coastal plain. The funds were raised at the 2002 Negev Dinner in honor of Saul and Toby Feldberg. Apart from the Feldberg family, numerous other donors from Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa also contributed.

The trail is flanked by forest, woodland and unusual rock formations. Along the way the visitor can pause to rest in tranquil corners and picnic areas where caves, cisterns and the remains of ancient agricultural activity such as wine presses, terraces, and so on can be observed.

27 |

Acc

essi

ble

“All these modifications allow people with disabilities to go out with their families and experience nature firsthand,” said Gur. He himself has guided a variety of disabled groups at the site, and has taken part in walks held there by the IDF Disabled Veterans’ Association.

Visitors to the site at this time of the year can enjoy the green surroundings and the winter flowers that are now blooming in a riot of color. Eighty-two-year-old Natan Idlin (“Eighty-two and a half, actually, as the kids would say,” he adds), was out for an afternoon excursion with his son. The conveniently paved trail allowed him to progress at his own speed with the help of his walker, while enjoying the pastoral scenes around him.

“It’s very important to have places like this, where those of us who have trouble walking can get out and enjoy nature,” said Idlin. “I really enjoy getting out into the fresh air. Sometimes my young grandchildren come along, and we all enjoy the family outing very much.”

Yehiel Cohen, Deputy Director of KKL-JNF’s Central Region, was one of the park’s initiators. He recalled arriving at the overgrown site and literally having to crawl on all fours as he fought his way through the dense undergrowth to determine the route of the path. Intensive forestry activity at the site included thinning the trees and pruning low branches in order to make it possible to work on the path.

The park is now open to the general public, and large numbers of families come to spend time there and enjoy a walk, a picnic or activities with their children. On weekends and holidays, the

place simply buzzes with people. Flocks of cyclists speed down the cycle path that passes through the park, and on weekdays, schools and various other institutions visit in organized groups.

When we visited the park on a Friday, we met a group of forty children from a kindergarten in Gedera,

accompanied by their parents and teachers. They finished walking the entire route,

proving that a trail originally intended for people with physical disabilities

is also perfectly suited to the needs of young children and toddlers in strollers, who require a safe and easy path. “We chose this route specifically because it’s very easy and suits the whole family,” explained

kindergarten teacher Amalia Cohen. “It offers an amazing view

along with beautiful flowers and facilities for the children.”

Apart from the beauties of nature, the park also boasts a playground, fitness equipment for outdoor

workouts, a sports ground, a small amphitheater for events and get-togethers, and an underground refuse recycling facility. KKL-JNF has also provided scenic lookouts, a nature-inspired sculpture trail and a scenic motor-vehicle road through the forest – all funded by KKL-JNF’s friends worldwide.

Moran Antar, one of the mothers accompanying the kindergarten outing, said that the experience had been great fun for the parents, too. The enjoyment of the children and their families, the sound of laughter and the palpable joy in the air were proof that Disabled Veterans Park is the perfect choice for a family outing.

Disabled Veterans' Park

Nat

ure

| 28

By Avraham Leader, Ahuva Bar-Lev | Photos by Tania Susskind and CrocodilesTropical Fish

"KKL-JNF was the first organization to understand the importance of research and development stations for the future of Israel's agriculture," Stenzler continued, "which is why we finance fifty percent of the budget of all the country's R&D stations. KKL-JNF personnel are world famous experts in combating desertification. Due to the salinity of the soil in this region, we must often cover it with many tons of fertile land to make it arable. Tourism is also an important source of income for the Arava, and with the help of JNF USA, we are building a major Arava tourist center near the entrance to Kibbutz Yahel.

"KKL-JNF makes certain that its development projects are sustainable. If, for example, the expansion of a village is at the expense of the surrounding savannah, we think about how to ensure that the natural ecosystem is maintained. When we discovered that the number of acacia trees in the Arava was decreasing, we launched the 'Adopt an Acacia' project with the help of JNF Australia."

Ezra Rabins, head of the Arava Regional Council, said that this was the twenty-first open day hosted at the Arava R&D station. "Over 30,000 people have come to see the state-of-

Dov Litvinoff, head of the Tamar Regional Council: "The past year has been a very eventful one for our regional council. New people are moving in for the first time in years to places like Ein Gedi, and we will be building a special neighborhood for researchers working at the R&D station. KKL-JNF is helping us with a very unique project – the building of the Cultural Center of Nature in Masada, where three operas have been performed over the last three years before audiences of 85,000 people."

Mr. Silvan Shalom, Vice Prime Minister and Minister for the Development of the Galilee and the Negev, announced that "the government of Israel has decided to lay train tracks from Beersheva to Eilat, which will lessen the distance between the Arava and Israel's central region. I hope that we will also be successful in convincing the government to build Israel's second international airport in the Negev. I am delighted and astounded to see the spirit of ingenuity and innovativeness at the R&D station. Thanks to KKL-JNF and various government ministries, a real revolution is taking place here."

Ms. Orit Noked, the Minister of Agriculture, said that her

" the-art agriculture that the Arava is famous for. The exhibition has become an annual meeting place for all of Israel's farmers, and we plan to host an international agricultural exhibition here in 2015. This year, we are proud to inaugurate the First Arava Conference on Agriculture and Settlement, which affords local farmers an opportunity to meet Israel's policy makers and discuss their needs and plans with them. There are now 3,220 dedicated people living in the Arava, and new people are moving in every day. I would like to thank KKL-JNF, which has been involved with everything here – infrastructure for villages, settlement, research and development, and ecology."

This year, we are celebrating KKL-JNF's 110th anniversary. KKL-JNF's original purpose was to purchase land in Israel on behalf of the Jewish people, but purchasing land

is not enough. The land must be utilized in a manner that makes it possible for people to make a livelihood, and that is what the Arava Research and Development Station is all about." KKL-JNF World Chairman Efi Stenzler was speaking at the First Arava Conference on Agriculture and Settlement, which was part of the 2012 Open Day agriculture exhibition at the Central and Northern Arava R&D station that took place on Thursday, February 2.

Trop

ical

Cro

codi

les

Fish

ministry is partner to a common vision: "This impressive R&D station, whose agricultural achievements have received international acclaim, is the ideal choice for the location of the Arava Conference. In order to stay competitive, Arava farmers have to meet a very high standard and constantly come up with new ideas, and the R&D station is the means of implementing this vision. There are also special projects that are undertaken here, such as the removal of mines from an 8,000 dunam area near the Jordanian border and transforming it into agricultural fields. I would like to thank KKL-JNF for playing a central role in this project.

Arava farmers are always one step ahead of the market. In the Arava, everything is backwards –planting is in late summer while harvesting is during the winter. While the usual goal of agriculture is to provide the produce with optimal conditions, in the Arava the vegetables are adapted to the desert climate. Pests are kept out by using netting of various colors and densities. By next year, all of the Arava's peppers will be protected from pests by means of biological pest control.

Tropical Fish and Crocodiles in the Desert?Although the desert is usually associated with a dearth of water,

29 |

in the Desert

"Agriculture and settlement go hand in hand, and villages symbolize the connection between people and their land. I am very happy to see that more and more children of farmers are deciding to stay on the land and become farmers themselves. There is a potential and a charm to this area that the general Israeli public is not yet sufficiently aware of. The accomplishments of the Arava farmers and the R&D station give modern meaning to the prophecy that Israel will be a light unto the nations."

Agricultural AchievementsGershon Avni, KKL-JNF Lands Development Director, noted that "the importance of this R&D station is its location, in the center of the Arava, where it can provide answers and solutions for Arava farmers. In this difficult climate, Arava farmers are now producing close to 70% of the vegetables that Israel exports. Peppers are the main crop, but the Arava also grows tomatoes, eggplants, flowers and other produce."

Peppers GaloreRed, yellow, brown and green peppers account for about 65% of the Arava's agricultural exports, so the R&D station conducts a number of experiments whose aim is to ensure that

creative R&D scientists have learned how to raise tropical fish and even crocodiles in the Arava. Besides the popular aquarium fish, Arava farmers also raise ornamental sea fish such as sea horses. They focus on the colorful types of fish that are in demand in the market of “gourmet” fish lovers, who are willing to pay high prices for various species of exotic fish. In addition to providing another source of livelihood for Arava farmers, this also makes a significant contribution to the environment by preventing the damage caused to nature by fishing in the sea.

Organic Arava AgricultureIn order to reduce the usage of pesticides, experiments in biological pest control are being carried out, which include the use of the natural enemies of pests that damage vegetables, for example, certain types of bugs that contribute towards destroying the pests. As part of the efforts to find alternatives to vegetable growing, a vineyard and a fruit tree plantation were planted at the station. In addition, various species of flowers are being acclimated at the station, in order to make them suitable for growing in the Arava.

and

| 30

S

At The

Hula LakeBy Inbar Rubin

Spring

rate. But don’t worry, they will meet again in the distant north. With the cranes, the storks begin to arrive from faraway Africa. After the storks reach their destination, they return to the same nest year after year.

The storks are the harbingers of spring in cold Europe, where they are a symbol of renewal and new life. Over 500 million storks pass this way when they migrate, and the silence of their flight and their impressive glide are indeed wondrous. The pelicans are not far behind, and, flying in their extraordinary flight formations, they land for the night on the waters of the Hula Lake. The pelicans spend the winter on the White Nile and the Blue Nile, in East Africa, and nest mainly in Romania, in the Danube delta. The pelican is a very sociable bird, and a pair of pelicans will never nest alone. It is also the largest of the

pringtime brings magic to the Hula Lake Park, where many special projects were carried out thanks to contributions of friends of KKL‑JNF the world over. Spring

migration has begun, and the migrating flocks are in a hurry to get back to their nesting sites in the northern hemisphere and to bring a new generation of birds into the world.

The extreme temperature fluctuations of spring create unforgettable sights ‑ rays of sun shining through the clouds fill the valley with magnificent rainbows, and flocks of birds manifest from between the colors. The entire region is painted with soft light and resounds with the clamor of the birds that have just come from Africa. Rainfall creates puddles that are quickly filled with life‑ducks and plovers looking for grub, songbirds that use the puddles as a bird bath to clean their feathers, and frogs croaking their mating calls.

The Hula Lake, which is situated in the heart of the Syrian Africa rift, is located on one of the most important migrating routes in the world. Every migrating season, more than a billion birds pass this way. The location – bridging the continents of Africa, Asia and Europe ‑ the wealth of breeding grounds, and the water and food, have made the Hula Lake one of the birds' most important stops on the long route north. After a long, exhausting trip over the arid deserts of Africa, the birds stop at Hula Lake to get refreshed and to recharge their batteries for the next part of the journey. Over 300 species of migratory birds stop at Hula Lake for a moment of reprieve and refueling.

Among the larger birds, the first to migrate are the cranes. Giant flocks, sometimes numbering thousands, take off with great fanfare, as if to bid farewell without forgetting to say thank you for the hospitality. It is a time of parting for parent birds and their young, who until now have been together for a long period of time. The parents are in a hurry to get back to their nesting sites, while the younger generation gets together in singles groups and migrates at a slower

Photo by Yossi

Eshbol

Photo b

y Hul

a la

ke

Photo by Ronen

Gol

an

Photo

by R

onen

Gol

an

31 |

Lake

Hul

a

migrating birds that stop here, and it has a wingspan of up to 3 meters.

Spring migration brings with it a one-time opportunity to learn about, and track, the migrating birds. The Hula Lake fills up with birdwatchers looking for birds - cranes that were ringed in Finland and in Russia, storks from the Balkans and from Eastern Europe, and pelicans that had transmitters attached to them. Birds from Namibia, Ethiopia, and other countries reach the ringing station, and all of them transmit valuable information about their migration routes and their hibernation location preferences.

Spring is full of surprises, bringing uninvited guests and even some rare ones—the demoiselle crane on its way to the plains of Mongolia, the short-eared owl flying low and quietly at dusk, the pink flamingo, and more.

Not only are there big birds migrating. Purple herons have been spotted at the Hula Lake, short-toed eagles scouting for snakes, martins filling the sky flying swiftly and hunting mosquitoes, colorful bee eaters, recognized by their amusing shrieks, colorful ducks, plovers and songbirds singing wondrously, all of them nearly frenetic in their activity, in order to get back to their destinations in time. Fortunately for us, some of the birds choose the Hula as their nesting place, and they stay all summer, until their next migration south in the autumn.

Spring is not just about migration. It is also the beginning of the nesting and mating season. Many species are already adorned with their mating colors and feathers, are busy singing, and are designating their nesting territory. Hula Lake is getting ready for new life. Nesting boxes for barn owls and falcons are bustling with activity, and on the waysides the lapwings are zealously guarding their nests. On the banks of the canals, kingfishers and bee eaters are digging their nesting holes, and in the underbrush the songbirds rustle as they build their nests. The abundance

of food and water at Hula Lake promises to make their nesting successful.

This is a great time for all of nature, not just the birds. The aquatic flora coming back to life after the winter color the Hula with special colors—the yellow pond-lily, the white nymphaea, the purple loosestrife - all of them are welcoming the animals that enjoy their nectar. The atmosphere is full of the sounds of fauna enjoying the new flora.

Not only do the migrating birds visit us in the spring from faraway Africa. Butterflies do, too. The African Monarch, a large, orange butterfly, is a migrating butterfly. Its lifespan reaches up to eleven months! The African Monarch uses the stranglevine as a host to lay its eggs, and is especially fond of the purple loosestrife and the lippia as sources of nectar and food. The botanical garden is adorned with carpets of butterflies. More butterflies manifest in the spring and dot the greenery with colors - the Painted Lady, white butterflies, and more.

Alongside the canals and the water are piles that sometimes seem like strange rocks, but when you get closer you can see that these are groups of swamp turtles. Archeological excavations in the area have uncovered petrified swamp turtle millions of years old. They are cold blooded, and in order to procreate they must raise their body temperature. They sunbathe, sometimes for hours, and one can already see tiny turtles taking their first steps in the water. Not far from them, the water is teeming with life and motion. The catfish have also begun their mating dance in the shallow waters along the banks. The St. Peter�s fish are digging holes for spawning, and the celebration of life goes on.

Springtime is a special and exiting time. New life is being created and born. Brilliant colors paint the Hula Lake with their splendor. A hike in the Hula Valley is inspiring experience that stimulates all the senses and makes one feel glad to be alive.

Photo b

y Hul

a la

ke

Photo by Ronen

Gol

an

| 32

S

In the

ofFootsteps

One of the great heroes of the Israel's War of Independence was Mickey Marcus. In 1947, Ben Gurion was looking for someone to serve as a military adviser to the burgeoning Jewish army. American Colonel Mickey Marcus volunteered, and after the US Army granted him leave, he arrived in Tel Aviv in January 1948. For his courage and the intelligence he provided in early 1948, Ben Gurion appointed him commander of the Jerusalem front and also made him a major-general. Marcus became the first Jewish soldier to hold this rank since Judah Maccabee more than 2,000 years ago.

By May 1948, when the Jewish part of Jerusalem was about to fall, Marcus had already commanded several successful operations. In order to counter the negative effects of the Arab siege of Jerusalem, he decided that it was necessary to construct a bypass road through the mountains around Jerusalem in order to bring ammunition, supplies, medicine and water to the city. Three Palmach soldiers were assigned to help him complete his mission. While hiding from the Arab Legion, they tried to find a way from the besieged city to Tel Aviv by following old goat paths, and they eventually reached Kibbutz Hulda. With a group of 150 soldiers they retraced the route they had discovered, with the goal of clearing a path and making it passable for jeeps.

On the night of May 29, 1948, soldiers of the Harel Brigade traversed the new route with a jeep, and after about three hours of maneuvering through the steep Jerusalem Hills, they met up at Beit Susin with another jeep that had arrived by way of the east road from Jerusalem. The newly discovered passage was named ‘The Burma Road’ after the road built by 200,000 Chinese laborers during World War II that allowed the Allies to transport goods from Burma to China.

For four weeks, soldiers and civilian volunteers labored to construct the 25-kilometer road under the cover of night and within range of Arab mortars. The work was considered so essential that the chief rabbi gave permission to work on it on the Sabbath. The Burma Road provided relief for Jerusalemites for nearly five months until December 1948, when the road connecting the Nahshon and Shimshon junctions was

By Ofer Zemach

HeroesBoasting a variety of historic sites and archaeological points of interest, KKL-JNF’s Yitzhak Rabin Park offers visitors a number of recreational and tourist attractions in natural settings. The park was established thanks to the support of friends of KKL-JNF throughout the world, including the USA, Canada, Germany, Denmark and Israel

tretching over some 15,000 dunams, Rabin Park is a patchwork of fascinating scenic and topographical diversity including terraces and other ancient agricultural

remains, providing evidence of the historic continuity of Jewish settlement here since biblical times. KKL-JNF has developed a number of scenic lookouts, recreation areas, and numerous dirt roads in the park that are suitable for private vehicles.

Our tour takes us on along a section of the Burma Road where the battle for the road to Jerusalem took place during the War of Independence. Yitzhak Rabin commanded the Harel Brigade, a division of the Palmach, which was primarily responsible for military activities in the Jerusalem area.

Photo by Ofer Zemach

33 |

Roa

dB

urm

a

completed. Had the convoys not gotten through, the Jews remaining in Jerusalem would have most likely starved or been forced to surrender. In a tragic accident, Marcus himself was killed by friendly fire mere hours before hostilities ended.

Today, Burma Road passes through the green forests of KKL-JNF’s Rabin Park. Visitors are now able to drive the road where armored conveys climbed and see the silhouettes and remains of the armored cars which were left as a memorial to the heroic deeds of the fighters who saved Jerusalem.

Enter the Burma Road from the Harel scenic lookout on Highway 44. Next to the stone house at this site is a picnic area, a children’s playground and wooden signs with maps that explain about the historical sites along the road. From here, follow the red-marked path heading east (right) to Ein Susin, the Arab village that was conquered in 1948. Here you can walk between the ancient eucalyptus trees and view the old pumping station which was part of the system that supplied water to Jerusalem from a pool at Hulda.

Continue straight for about 1 km. to Ma’aleh Te’enim, a steep climb where fig trees are planted on both sides of the road. This section was hard for the pre-state vehicles to negotiate, so supplies were carried by animals to the top of the hill and reloaded on trucks that came from Jerusalem. This section was asphalted just a couple years ago, and iron silhouettes of trucks and jeeps describing the battle were placed at the site.

The road continues east (follow the red-marked signs) to the Serpentine Descent, which is not a recommended drive unless you’re in a 4x4. You have the option here to walk down the hill and enjoy the view. When you’re ready to continue, get back into the car and continue 400 meters forward. At the crossroads, turn onto the road at the bottom of the Serpentine Descent, where you can view the water pipeline monument. This pipeline

Geographic Area: The Judean plain and Jerusalem foothills.

Suitability: Families with children (the tour is for motor vehicles and includes stops and short walks).

Estimated time: 3 to 4 hours.

How to get there: From Highway No. 1, take the Sha'ar Hagai exit and turn onto Highway 38 in the direction of Beit Shemesh. At the Shimshon Junction, turn right onto Highway 44, and then right again at Kibbutz Harel, following the signs to Burma Road.

replaced the main pipe after the Jordanians blew up the pumping station in Latrun.

Continue along the red-marked trail to Carob Recreation Area where there are picnic tables under the canopy of a huge carob tree. After resting here, walk to the Burma Road scenic lookout, where there is a panoramic view of the Masrek Nature Reserve, Beit Meir, the Mount Orna military posts and the Convoy Ridge. Continue to Ein Hila and Ein Mesila, two natural springs where KKL-JNF has built recreation areas for children to play while the adults rest and enjoy the sound of flowing water.

A few hundred meters further along the road is the Sha’ar Hagai scenic lookout. Standing there, above the highway to Jerusalem, one can see how easy it would have been for forces holding such a position to stop traffic along the main road.

For those of you with family cars, this is where the trail ends. If you have a 4x4, you can continue and climb up to Beit Meir and the Masrek Nature Reserve.

Whichever route you choose, you’ll take leave of the Burma Road trail with a sense of Israeli history and the feeling of having being privy to just a little of what the soldiers who fought in the War of Independence experienced during the battle for Jerusalem.

Photo by KKL-JNF Archive

| 34

Pale

rmo

O

By Avraham Leader | Photos by Tania Susskind

Zionist Ecology -

to the

FromPalermo, ItalyJerusalem Hills

children from Palermo for contributing towards planting trees in Israel. After one of the children read the Planter's Prayer, tree planting began in earnest.

"Besides drawing the pictures for the calendar," said Linoi, who planted her tree together with her friends Shani and Brenda. "one of the nicest things about this project was that we had a video conference call with the children in Palermo and felt like we really got to know them."

Before the children went back to their bus, Hadar gave each of them a tree-shaped refrigerator magnet on which they could write the day and place where the trees were planted, along with a map of KKL-JNF parks and forests.

Rafi Ovadia noted that the school in Palermo is mixed, with both Jewish and non-Jewish children. "Many Italians feel a connection to Israel because it's the holy land. Not very long ago, Prime Minister Netanyahu presented the Pope with a 400 year-old olive tree from Israel that was planted at the Vatican. KKL-JNF was in charge of all the technical aspects of moving and planting the tree, and when the tree was lifted off the truck, some pieces of earth fell to the ground. I saw people running to pick up the clods of soil, and understood just how precious Israel is to them. Today's tree planting ceremony is yet another link in the chain that connects Israel and Italy. It is a beginning, not an end, and I look forward to many more joint projects."

n Sunday, March 25, 53 fifth graders from the Arnon School of Ramat Gan arrived at the Aminadav Forest

near Jerusalem to plant trees that were donated by the children of an elementary school in Palermo, Italy. Rafi Ovadia, KKL-JNF emissary to Italy, explained how this joint project came about: "Every year, the school in Palermo publishes a calendar with pictures drawn by the schoolchildren. This year, they decided that the theme would be the environment, so they got in touch with the Israeli embassy in Italy and asked if they could recommend some project. The embassy referred them to KKL-JNF, and we had the idea of jointly creating a calendar with drawings of children from both schools that would be related to environmental protection. The kids in Italy were so moved by this project that they decided to donate money for planting trees in Israel. Since the schoolchildren from the Arnon School have been working together with the Italian children, it seemed only natural that they should plant the trees here on their behalf."

Hadar Epstein of KKL-JNF's Education Department spoke to the children before they began planting the trees and said that one of KKL-JNF's most important priorities is forging and maintaining ties with Jews and supporters of Israel who live abroad. "The Alexander River, which was restored with the help of friends of KKL-JNF from Italy, is a perfect example of how cooperation between KKL-JNF and its friends abroad works for the benefit of

the people and environment of Israel. The project you are participating in today also reflects this connection."

Rafi Ovadia told the schoolchildren about Italy's Jewish community: "There are only about 30,000 Jews in Italy, but they are very strong supporters of Israel and they express their love by contributing towards projects that KKL-JNF carries out in Israel. In addition, there are a lot of non-Jews who love Israel, support her and visit the country as

pilgrims."

Before the tree planting began, the children posed for a group picture holding a banner thanking the