Several hundred members of O.L.E.I., the Organization of Immigrants from Latin America, Spain and Portugal in Israel help restore the Neveh Shalom Forest to its former glory at a festive Tu Bishvat event.
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Neveh Shalom Forest, on the way to Jerusalem, was badly damaged in the outbreak of fires in November, and the signs are still plain to see: fallen trees, blackened trunks and brown patches of dead branches among the treetops.
Two major factors, however, are helping to bring life back to the forest. The first of these is nature’s ability to renew itself: green grasses have sprung up and covered the blackened ground, and the cyclamens and anemones that peep out among the trees broadcast a message of optimism. The second cause for hope is the thousands of people from all walks of Israeli life who have joined in the Tu BiShvat planting to help restore the forest to its former glory.
Among the planters was a group of several hundred members of O.L.E.I., the Organization of Immigrants from Latin America, Spain and Portugal in Israel (Organización Latinoamericana España y Portugal en Israel), who were joined by Argentinian Ambassador to Israel Carlos Faustino García and Republic of Honduras Ambassador José Isaías Barahona Herrera.
The delegation members were welcomed by KKL-JNF Vice Chairman Hernán Felman, who told them: “Today we are carrying out plantings in a forest that was damaged by fire. It’s hard to comprehend how anyone would want to set fire to a forest.” He told his listeners that during the 115 years since its foundation, KKL-JNF had planted over 240 million trees throughout Israel. “But the work of KKL-JNF does not end with Tu BiShvat: it continues all year round,” he said. “Place your finger anywhere on the map and KKL-JNF will be there planting trees, combating desertification, developing water resources, establishing recreation areas and laying out footpaths. The expertise that KKL-JNF has accumulated over the years now benefits many other countries, and we are under an obligation to work together to create a better world.”
In his speech, Argentina’s Ambassador to Israel Carlos Faustino García emphasized Man’s important role in the conservation of the environment. “Nature brings states and nations together. The trees we plant today represent the friendship between Israel and Argentina and other Latin American countries. It is the ambition of us all to live in harmony with nature and our fellow human beings.”
President of O.L.E.I. Mario Lev told those present that the organization had been active in Israel since 1955, and that it is designed to encourage Jewish immigration from Latin American countries, ease their absorption process in Israel, help them to integrate into the Israeli state and broaden cooperation with Jewish communities.
Around five thousand members are registered with the organization’s twenty-five branches throughout the length and breadth of Israel. Among other things, the organization provides advisory services, help in finding apartment rentals and work, cultural and social activities, classes for learning Hebrew and a financial assistance fund for those in need.
“KKL-JNF helps us a great deal in a whole variety of areas – it’s the cherry on the top of the cake of our activities,” said Mario Lev. “Without its help we would not be able to provide excursions and nature-related activities like today’s planting.” Clara Ben Aderet of KKL-JNF’s Latin America Department presided over the ceremony, and the Iche y Rachi duo sang most enjoyably in Spanish and Hebrew to a guitar accompaniment. At the conclusion of the ceremony Demian Krzymuski of KKL-JNF’s Latin American department explained the proper way to plant, and everyone set to work.
While Hernán Felman and the ambassadors from Argentina and Honduras formed a planting team together with KKL-JNF World Chairman Danny Atar and Israeli Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman, the other participants spread out through the forest and set to work with their own hands.
Among the fresh newly-planted saplings, the blackened trunks of trees burned in the fire can still be seen as a reminder of the forest that once stood here. However, these new trees will soon grow, their tops will soar skywards and green will return to the woodland to prove to everyone how supremely strong life and hope can be.
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