A delegation from Germany came to Israel to tour the country and to learn about KKL-JNF’s many activities in the Arava and Negev for community development, environmental conservation, education and support for disadvantaged populations. The mission was initiated by JNF KKL Germany.
Among those participating in the mission were representatives of the Breuninger Foundation, which undertakes social and educational projects in collaboration with governmental bodies and NGOs.
"Our mission is to create places where people can collaborate and create together,” said Dr. Helga Breuninger, Chairperson of the foundation. "When I see the enthusiasm and the initiative of the young generation in Israel, I have no doubt that we can find fertile ground for collaboration".
The delegation participants, who were visiting Israel for the first time, toured the country for two weeks, enjoyed its views and got to know the country. Two days of that tour were dedicated to learning about KKL-JNF projects in southern Israel.
"Our goal is for the participants to get to know Israel as it truly is, not just as tourists", emphasized Sarah Singer, President of JNF KKL Germany. "The members of the delegation got a different perspective on Israel and found that it is very different than how it is presented in the media".
The delegation was accompanied by Yehudit Perl-Strasser of KKL-JNF’s German Desk.
Aleh Negev: Reaching out to people with special needs
The rehabilitation center Aleh Negev – Nahalat Eran, established with the support of KKL-JNF’s friends from around the world, is home to 150 young people with disabilities. The village is also used as a treatment center for children and adults with special needs from around the Negev.
Na'ama Maimon, director of foreign relations at Aleh Negev, led the group around the village, where they met the residents and staff and enjoyed the well maintained gardens, established with donations from KKL-JNF friends around the world. A therapeutic garden is under construction thanks to JNF KKL Germany.
"We're trying to give our residents everything they need, because most of them can't even ask for it", Maimon explained.
The delegation members watched a movie about the rehabilitation village, in which Major General (res.) Doron Almog explained that the idea for the village was born when he looking for solutions for his son. "Eran couldn't speak a single word, not even 'dad', but he taught me about life more than anyone", said Almog in the movie.
"People with disabilities set up a mirror in front of us, presenting who we are as a society".
Eran passed away at the age of 23, after living at Aleh Negev for one year, and the village was called Nahalat Eran, in his name.
During the tour they met Suha El-Karnawi, a nurse from the Bedouin city of Rahat, who told them about the medical treatment given to the children of the village. At the school they met 5 year old Kondos, a child of refugee parents from Eritrea. The smiling and friendly boy frolicked with the visitors.
The delegation also visited the treatment pool, the petting zoo, the therapeutic riding stable, and the greenhouse where the children plant and raise ornamental plants, fruits and vegetables.
Gilat Tree Nursery: From seeds to trees
Johannes Guagnin of the Afforestation Division at the JNF led the group on their visit to the the KKL-JNF tree nursery in Gilat. The visitors were impressed with the variety of forest trees and ornamental plants being cultivated there, designated for planting in forests, parks and public gardens. Every year the nursery grows about 800,000 seedlings from 300 species of plants.
The computerized watering system for irrigating the plants was established with the support of friends of JNF KKL Germany. It is controlled by a computer that determines the exact amount of water and fertilizer needed for each plant. The water recycling system collects the leftover water. This water is streamed to the "mother" plots, where mature trees, which are used for seeds and cuttings, grow. This saves about 30,000 cubic meters of water a year, which in the past, would simply drain into the valley and get wasted.
The forest plants are usually generated through seed sprouting, and the ornamental plants are produced from planted cuttings. The seeds are gathered from handpicked trees from the forests and the nursery. Some of the seeds are cooled, soaked and are preserved by different mechanical means, to increase sprouting percentage. The sprouting is done in a container placed in humid conditions and under computer controlled temperatures. The seeds go through disinfection and are planted in trays. Afterwards, they grow in the greenhouse with a watering system. The cuttings are implanted on heated tables, moved to growing containers under a shade net and are watered by drizzle or sprinklers. When the plants are big enough, they are transferred to planting.
Karin Bolton-Laor, director of international relations and conferences at KKL-JNF, joined the group and spoke with the people about KKL-JNF's projects in developing countries, including training farmers in Ethiopia and Kenya to grow crops in arid conditions. The ‘Furrows in the Desert’ project in the Turkana region of Kenya is supported by friends of JNF KKL Germany, and volunteers from Germany are now in Kenya.
"The knowledge that KKL-JNF has accumulated can help a lot of countries around the world", said Bolton-Laor. "The climate might be different, but the challenges stay the same. We've managed to create a working model, where the local people continue the work after we leave".
"It was an innovative idea, and I'm glad the program is working", Sarah Singer remarked. "This is the proof that Israel can aid other countries, and I hope we can continue and develop the program and expand it".
Lahav Forest: Green in the desert
At Lahav Forest, the group met with KKL-JNF forester Moshe Mordechai, who led the group on a trip in the forest, presented the historical sites scattered throughout and explained the unique methods that KKL-JNF foresters have developed to plant trees in the dry desert area.
Limans (shallow depressions of earth around planted trees) and shikhim (raised embankments) collect the flood waters, prevent soil erosion, allow the forest to survive and aid in the war against desertification.
Lahav Forest covers an area of over 30,000 dunams. KKL-JNF began planting the forest in the 1950's. The visitors can enjoy active campsites, hiking and cycling trails, desert blossoms and archeological sites.
"Israel is much greener than I expected, and it's fascinating to hear how you created forests in the desert", said Önder Cavusoglu, a Turkish archeologist who studied in Germany. "There is no other country in which so many people from all corners of the planet come together. I see Israel a source for hope for the Middle East and the world".
"I believe the knowledge developed by KKL-JNF can be used by different countries in the world", said Dr. Breuninger. "Nobody can develop sustainable solutions for the future on their own. To do this, it is going to take collaborations, and I find in Israel openness and willingness for cooperation".
At the end of the forest trip, the group members sat down for a little rest at the donor appreciation center in the forest, and were impressed by the extent of contributions from Friends of JNF KKL Germany for Lahav Forest’s development.
Atachlit Farm: Heritage of Ethiopian Jews
The conservation of the heritage of Ethiopian Jews, exposing their rich culture to the rest of Israeli society and creating employment for the community's seniors – those are some of the important missions of the Atachlit Farm, established in Kiryat Gat, with the help of KKL-JNF friends from around the world, including Canada and Australia.
"The farm is actually a heritage center that deals in traditional farming, that the seniors are its primary axis", remarked Rabbi Moshe Solomon, Director General of the Hineni association, that founded the farm. "The farm was born out of the community's desire to present its rich culture to the Israeli society", he added.
The farm's design was inspired by an Ethiopian village, and a number of Gojo huts are scattered around. The activity centers preserve the traditional crafts – agriculture, building with mud, cooking and baking on campfires and creations in clay. Around 70 of the community's seniors, men and women, grow a variety of vegetables and spices on the farm. Among the farm's produce you can find crops unique to the Ethiopian cuisine, like spicy Sudanese pepper and Gomen, also known as "Ethiopian lettuce". The aspiration is to start growing Tef, a grain known for its healthy properties and is traditionally used to make injera, the Ethiopian bread staple.
"The seniors working at the place get a renewed sense of purpose in their lives, the Ethiopian youth learn about their past and connect to their roots and the general public get to know the wonderful heritage of the Ethiopian Jews", explained Rabbi Solomon.
Shalev Maharat, a young guide of Ethiopian origins, told the group that in her early years she was ashamed by the Ethiopian Jewish culture – the different food, the ‘odd’ outfits and even the color of her skin. "Only after I started working on this farm did I realize that I can be proud of my culture, and I'm glad for the opportunity to pass it on to others".
Different projects were put into place on the farm with the help of JNF friends in Canada and Australia, including a social club for seniors and the spice factory "The Chao House", which is under construction. The Chao House is a project of a group of Ethiopian-Israeli origin, who decided to open a workshop to make Chao, a significant spice in traditional Ethiopian cuisine. At the social club, which was once a run-down and neglected hut, social activities are being held to strengthen the connections in the community. At the end of the visit the delegation members were invited to sit in the club, and were treated to the Buna coffee making ceremony traditionally extended to guests. They also tasted Dabo, a festive Ethiopian bread.
On the last day of the trip the delegation members planted trees at the Tzora-President Forest. "This was my first visit to Israel, and it was important for me to meet the faces of the country, and not just see the sights", said Volker Hann, Director of International Programs at the Breuninger Foundation. "It's interesting to see what motivates Israelis and how they became such a unique nation. The roots of all of us are planted here".
Read this article in German