KKL-JNF World Chairman Avraham Duvdevani (center) participates in the planting ceremony to rehabilitate Mevo Modi'im forest. (Photo: Haim Versano, KKL-JNF Photo Archive)
On Thursday, February 11, 2021, a tree planting ceremony marking KKL-JNF's 120th anniversary took place at Mevo Modi'im Forest, which had been almost entirely consumed by wildfire two years ago. At the ceremony, trees were planted with the goal of rehabilitating the forest, bringing it back to life and making it green again.
The planting ceremony took place in the presence of KKL-JNF World Chairman Avraham Duvdevani, Modi'im Regional Council Head Shimon Susan, and Chairman of the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel and Modi'in-Macabim-Reut Mayor, Haim Bibas. Throughout the day, IDF soldiers, youth group members, children with special needs and the Beilinson Hospital Corona Department medical team also took part in planting trees here.
Avraham Duvdevani, KKL-JNF World Chairman: "Today we are at a site where we are renewing what was destroyed by the fire. We can learn things from this fire that are relevant for our daily lives. We are amazed by the forest's ability to persevere and renew - nature and trees regenerate themselves and begin to grow again thanks to their own inner resources. We should learn from nature and remember that "a person is like a tree of the field", because this is exactly the case with our redemption and the story of how our nation was replanted in our ancient homeland – trees teach us not to despair from the crises and storms of life."
Shimon Susan, Head of the Modi'im Regional Council: "Along with rehabilitating Moshav Mevo Modi'im, which was burnt down about a year and a half ago, rehabilitating the forest is also very important, as it provides a place to relax for many local residents. I greatly appreciate the work of KKL-JNF, which for 120 years has been afforesting Israel and creating green vistas throughout our country."
Haim Bibas, Chairman of the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel and the Mayor of Modi'in-Macabim-Reut: "This period has taught us about the power of nature and how important it is to protect it. During the long days of the lockdown we greatly appreciated getting out and going to the green and great outdoors. We will continue to help our beautiful country grow and flourish, and enjoy its open spaces and diverse nature. I would like to thank the people of KKL-JNF for their partnership, their readiness to respond to local authorities' needs, and for their involvement in so many different kinds of projects."