The JNF Australia Delegation is in Israel for a week of tours and meetings. They are checking the progress of the projects in which they are key partners, examining proposals for new ventures and getting to know, up close, the various KKL-JNF projects. On the second day of the tour, the JNF Australia delegation visited the Ilanot Forest and the Lavi Field and Forest Education Center.
The second day of the JNF Australia delegation’s visit began in
Ilanot Forest, where they met Tovit Shapira, the Director of the Ilanot Forest Visitors Center. She explained that the forest was planted in the early years of the state with the goal of testing the feasibility of acclimatizing different tree species from around the world. In later years, the forest was neglected and abandoned, until KKL-JNF began to cultivate it anew. A few years ago, the site won recognition as a botanical garden.
The Australian delegation was impressed by the activities offered at the visitors’ center, in which interactive technological displays are used to create a forest experience. Among other things, they particularly enjoyed riding the virtual reality bikes, spinning a globe displaying forest types around the world, matching tree species on an interactive map, learning about tree parts on tablets, the films in the small movie theatre and the interactive trivia quiz. The visitors’ center was established with the support of Friends of
KKL Denmark.
With all due respect to technology, however, nothing can compare to walking among actual trees, which the delegation proceeded to do. Of special interest to the delegation were the many trees originating in Australia that were brought to Israel, including many species of eucalyptus trees.
"It was lovely to spend time in nature and enjoy the forest," said
Ilana Maizels, JNF Victoria Executive Director. "It is so very important to encourage the younger generation to go out into the forest and connect with nature."
Many visitors enjoy the forest, which is situated next to a central road. Making the forest
accessible to people with special needs – including paths adapted to wheelchairs and stations with recorded explanations adapted for the blind and hard of hearing - was made possible through the support of friends of KKL-JNF in the United States.
"This visit to Israel reinforces our connection to Israeli society and enables us to pass on the experience to the Australian community," said Yossi Eshed, the KKL-JNF emissary to Sydney.
The next stop was the
Lavi Field and Forest Education Center, which offers a variety of educational activities focusing on nature, the environment, Zionism and ecology.
Moshe Kahalani, a guide from KKL-JNF’s Education Division, led the group on a tour of the forest, among the tents, huts and various playground facilities.
The guests were impressed by the Learning Center for Zionism and Ecology, which includes games, activities and exhibits. Using advanced technological means, visitors to the center learn about the various fields in which the KKL-JNF is engaged.
“JNF is tachles (real) Zionism," said
Dan Springer, CEO of
JNF Australia, "There is no substitute for a visit to Israel, where we can actually see the substantial actions taken on the ground."
The visitors took part in the instructional activities of the Education Division’s Overseas Department: locating places on a large map of Israel, a game to learn about Israeli inventions, and formulation of the educational vision. "It is important for us to present the means we are developing that are designed to become practical tools for use in schools," said
Hani Desa, Director of the Overseas Department of
KKL-JNF's Education Division.
"It's great to visit and to meet the dedicated people who do exciting work," said
Ronit Fraid, President of JNF Victoria.
JNF Australia Delegation in Israel, October 2018