For many Israelis, summertime means hiking, picnics in the forest and visiting nature reserves. It is usually the busiest time in the year for many KKL-JNF staff, especially those who are responsible for maintaining and developing the country’s natural environments and green spaces. However, this summer is different from all others: quarantines, Ministry of Health regulations, fear of contagion and economic hardship brought about by COVID-19 are all deterring Israelis from leaving their homes.
Instead of sitting around idly and waiting for things to get better, the KKL-JNF’s Worker’s Union decided to turn some of this year’s lemons into lemonade. Their new and heartwarming initiative is entitled Teva Enoshi (Human Nature). With the help of one of the KKL-JNF mobile information booths on wheels - which normally would be making the rounds of forests and parks at this time of year - KKL-JNF workers are traveling around the country, bringing gifts, warm smiles and joy to disadvantaged populations.
‘’In recent years,’’ says Israel Goldstein, chairperson of the union, ‘’we have increased our outreach to the wider community. We promote not only worker’s rights and environmental protection; we care about the well-being of all of Israel’s citizens.’’
The entire initiative is organized and managed by the union. Workers volunteer their time to source donations, handle the coordination and logistics, and then travel once to twice a week to the chosen destinations. Along the way, many fruitful partnerships have been forged, and an impressive number of companies have agreed to donate food baskets, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, toys, furniture, snacks, cold drinks, sweets, and other gifts. The goal is not to raise money but to find companies who can donate products that will help these challenged populations. Requests for donations are published on Facebook, and once offers come in, workers then go and pick up the items.
The converted trailer, sporting a colorful banner with the slogan ‘’KKL-JNF Workers Union –Working for the Community’’, has brought smiles to the faces of residents in assisted living facilities all around the country. From Nahariya, the Krayot (four small townships north of Haifa) and Carmiel in the north; to Dimona and Yerucham in the south; from Givataim in the Tel Aviv region, to Ganei Ora and Talpiot in the Jerusalem area. The volunteers also visited a mental health facility in Beer Yaakov; the children’s ward at Geha Mental Health Center in Petah Tikva; the Shalva Rehabilitation Center in Jerusalem; the Beit Eden home for adolescents with disabilities in Ramla; the Shoham Center for Treatment of Addictions, and the Dolphin Inpatient Rehabilitation Center in Ashdod, to name just a few.
This inspiring project is the perfect antidote to the forced social isolation that is especially difficult for weaker populations. ‘’Each visit means so much to those we visit as well as to us,’’ says Miri, one of the volunteers, ‘’I see how eyes light up the moment we walk through the door.’’
Recently, KKL-JNF workers were able to renovate and fully equip an entire home that serves 35 lone soldiers in Jerusalem, including beds and mattresses, a new TV, a microwave oven, a washing machine and food supplies, thanks to this project. KKL-JNF volunteers will continue to monitor the needs of the center and stay in contact with the soldiers.
In addition, the union organized food baskets for needy families. The volunteers delivered them personally to the recipients, along with words of support and encouragement. “We are thankful for this opportunity to do good deeds, to show those who are less fortunate that they are not alone”, says Israel Goldstein. ‘’Times are difficult enough as it is, and we do not want anyone to feel lonely or suffer from a lack of basic supplies.’’
During this flurry of activity, Israel also experienced a rise in security tensions in the north. KKL-JNF workers immediately rose to the challenge and travelled along Israel’s northern border, delivering food packages, cold drinks, sun hats and backgammon sets to IDF soldiers stationed at sentry posts near Shlomi, Rosh Hanikrah, Dalton, Sassa,
Gush Halav, and the IDF bases of Goren and Amiad.
Hundreds of Israelis are reacting on
Facebook, expressing their admiration for this project and for the work of KKL-JNF in general. As one person wrote, ‘’Ever since the little Blue Box, we have seen KKL-JNF do many wonderful things. Now we have the chance to see them do one more.’’