The newest KKL-JNF Green Leadership classroom was installed at the Hadarim School in Rehovot on Monday, January 26. The outdoor structure, which forms an integral part of KKL-JNF's Young Leadership Empowerment Program at the school, is a gift from the Jewish community of Winnipeg, marking the 2015 Winnipeg Negev Gala of JNF Canada, which honoured outgoing director Robert “Bob” Freedman, who recently retired after 28 years service. Robert and family flew to Israel for the inauguration ceremony.
Hadarim principal Orit Sharabi thanked the Freedman family and the Jewish community of Winnipeg for enabling the establishment the open classroom at her school. She said that she believes that all outdoor class activity is of the utmost importance, especially if it is “in nature and about nature”. Sharabi was confident that the new structure would become the center for such activities and encourage even more children to take part.
Robert Freedman conveyed greetings from the Winnipeg Jewish community, of which he said has strong pro Israel schools and institutions. He also said that Winnipeg has become a destination for Jews from countries of distress who are looking for a safe, stable Jewish environment.
KKL-JNF Open Classroom Coordinator for the Southern District, Asael Lavi, responded by saying “Winnipeg has a frozen climate with the warmest Jewish community imaginable”.
Yaakov Nazri, who is the KKL-JNF guide at the school, said that he could not emphasize the significance of the Green Leadership Classroom project enough. He said that while the subjects that they are dealing with, such as Zionism, the Land of Israel, ecology, water conservation and other environmental issues, are important, there are other benefits too. Nazri explained that many of the young participants come from disadvantaged backgrounds and as a result of the program, they mature into responsible young leaders who later impact their community at large.
Before the ribbon cutting ceremony, the Freedman family members, which included children and grandchildren, were invited to a musical Tu Bishvat Seder that was taking place in one of the school classrooms, to mark the Jewish new year for trees, that has now become synonymous with tree planting and environmental conservation, thanks to KKL-JNF.
The Freedman grandchildren recited the Planter's Prayer before planting Bay Laurel saplings in the school grounds adjacent to the new KKL-JNF open classroom.
Robert's wife Shirley Freedman said that she was immensely happy to be part of the Green Leadership Classroom project. “My heart is so full when I see what Israel is. I am so proud to be a Jew and it is because of you who live here. You are an example to the world”.