On Sunday, January 17, sixth graders from Givat Avni joined KKL-JNF officials and National Service volunteers in planting trees lining the road that leads to the Jordan River Village for children with serious illnesses.
“KKL-JNF’s mission is to create new realities, as we have done by planting trees in Israel even before the state was founded. By planting trees in the Jordan River Village, the young people volunteering here are partners to this vision.”
KKL-JNF World Chairman Danny Atar was speaking at a tree planting ceremony that took place at the Jordan River Village in Givat Avni, a year-round overnight camp and retreat center for children from ages 9-18 of all backgrounds who live with serious illnesses.
Yuval Halamish, the Jordan River Village CEO, described the village’s goals and noted that ties between the village and KKL-JNF “date back to our very inception, when we exchanged trees with KKL-JNF in order to beautify our surroundings. The connection was recently renewed, and we look forward to new and exciting projects together with KKL-JNF.”
Motti Dotan, mayor of the Lower Galilee Regional Council, added that the connection with KKL-JNF was not just about trees. “Danny Atar, the new KKL-JNF World Chairman, was actually the person who made the connection between the Jordan River Village and the Lower Galilee Regional Council when he was mayor of the Gilboa Regional Council.” Mr. Atar responded that in fact, he remembered the founders of the village, Murray and Marilyn Grant. “They were true Zionists who came to Israel looking for a project to support,” he said. “I introduced them to Motti Dotan, and the rest is history.”
The Jordan River Village invites children in Israel who suffer from chronic or life-threatening illness for free, fun-filled, medically sound and safe camping experiences.
The village’s 60-acre, wheelchair-accessible campus is the only camp of its kind in the Middle East. Open year-round, the Village can accommodate up to 64 campers during each session. The children participate in a broad range of camp activities that enable them to have fun, succeed, come together, and discover new things. In addition, campers meet other children who face challenges similar to their own and make life-long friendships. The Jordan River Village is a member of the Serious Fun Children’s Network, which was founded by Paul Newman.
Haim Topol, the famous Israeli actor who is also the chairman of the Jordan River Administrative Board, spoke to the children from the nearby Givat Avni elementary school before they planted the trees. “When you grow up, it would be wonderful if you would choose to volunteer here. There are few things that are as rewarding as making the children who come here happy. I remember the saplings that we planted here seven years ago, now they are proud trees. Take a look at them, this is how the trees you are planting today will look in seven years from now. Happy TuBishvat!”
According to KKL-JNF Northern Region landscape architect Mor Din, KKL-JNF is currently planning two additional projects at the Jordan River Village. One is an accessible fruit tree grove that the children will tend along with harvesting its fruit, which they will make into jam, juice and other products. The other project is a fully accessible herb garden, which will enable visually impaired children to experience nature through scent and touch.
Shiri, one of the National Service volunteers, said that the village is a very special place. “There’s nothing like it anywhere in Israel. I am grateful for the opportunity to volunteer here.”
Her friend Yam agreed. “When I first started working here, I was a bit apprehensive,” he said. “I was with a group of children who were seriously burned, and I didn’t know if I could touch them, I was embarrassed to look at their faces. But after a couple days, all you see is their beautiful eyes. You get to know the person behind the illness. I can’t imagine a more satisfying or inspiring feeling.