The international youth movements and the leadership of KKL-JNF inaugurated a year of shared activity by planting a tree and conducting a festive Tu BiShvat seder at KKL-JNF’s Nes Harim Field and Forest Center. The convention was held on the initiative of the KKL-JNF Education and Youth Division’s Overseas Department.
Among those attending the convention were KKL-JNF World Chairman Danny Atar, Vice Chairman Nisan Cialic, CEO Alex Hefetz, Education Division Deputy Director Simon Elbaz and Overseas Department Head Hani Dasa, together with International Youth Movements Director Sergio Edelstein, secretaries-general of the international Zionist movements and members of staff.
KKL-JNF is a staunch advocate of informal educational activities and it regards the international Zionist youth movements as a major partner in the connection between land and nation, the fostering of a new generation of leaders and the initiation of shared processes to strengthen and stabilize the Jewish People’s national and social status in Israel and abroad.
Over the course of the day, a professional panel discussion was held, at which Hani Dasa presented a one-year work plan of activities and challenges designed to foster closer collaboration on activities with both the tens of thousands of youth in communities and youth movement kinim worldwide and with the hundreds of young people who come to Israel as part of short or long-term programs through the international youth movements.
Teaching materials related to educational activities designed to inculcate eco-Zionist values, as well as to the Haruzim program and to excursions specially tailored for specific groups were also presented.
The work program likewise includes special events and meetings between youngsters from Israel’s peripheral towns and young visitors from abroad; a march to Jerusalem to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of its reunification; and Rafsodia Kinneret-crossing events to mark the 115th anniversary of the launch of KKL-JNF’s green activities for the benefit of the State of Israel.
Every youth movement participant who comes to visit Israel will plant a tree, thereby leaving his/her ecological stamp upon the countryside and an ideological stamp of connection with his/her roots in Israel.