At a colorful and festive event, residents of the town of Omer in the Negev celebrated Tu Bishvat, the holiday of the trees. Surrounded by desert sand dunes, with tender young saplings in their hands, hundreds of children went out with their parents to plant trees and to dot the yellow scenery with green..
“Planting trees connects us to the land,” said Pini Badash, Mayor of the Omer Local Council. “All the trees around here were planted together with KKL-JNF on Tu Bishvat over dozens of years. This tradition must continue. Generations change, but the rural atmosphere and the sense of community always remain and unite us all. We will continue to be rooted in the land and to develop Israel.”
Eli Cohen, Minister of Economy and Industry, honored the event with his presence. “Omer is a model of Zionism, settlement and excellence,” he said to those present. “It is very moving to see so many children come to plant trees in this beautiful region.”
Minister Cohen mentioned that besides being the New Year for Trees, Tu Bishvat is also the birthday of the Knesset. The opening ceremony of the Israeli parliament was held on Tu Bishvat 1949.
“Besides being a celebration for the trees, today we are also celebrating our democracy,” he said.
“Trees help us and give shade and fruits, so we also have to help them grow,” KKL-JNF Negev Mountain and Arava Director Amir Mazor said to the children.
A children’s choir entertained everyone with song, and children from younger grades delighted everyone with a dance in honor of Tu Bishvat. The Voices of Omer song troupe provided the icing on the cake with a medley of holiday songs.
Amira Haim, Ministry of Education's Southern Region Director, took part in the tree planting; first of all as a grandmother whose granddaughter was taking part in the ceremony. She compared the children to the tender saplings being planted on Tu Bishvat.
“At the same time that the saplings are growing, the children continue learning, dreaming and growing,” she said.
When the greetings were over, participants formed a long column on their way to plant the trees. Every family received a eucalyptus tree and planted it in the desert land.
“I plant every year on Tu Bishvat,” seven year-old Noam Even Haim said proudly. “It’s a great feeling to know that thanks to me, it will be greener here. I will try to remember where my tree is and come back to take care of it and to see how it develops. It’s a shame that I already forgot where the tree I planted last year is.”
Ten year-old Na’ama Lavi was also very happy for the opportunity to participate in planting. “It’s fun to plant a tree and help make our country greener,” she said.