Pupils and staff at the five youth villages celebrated Tu B’Shvat with a well-rounded series of activities:

Hadassah Neurim - “Green Week” was celelebrated with special ecological studies, gardening, planting saplings and general village cleanup.

Kiryat Ye’arim - Pupils planted saplings in the area around the village and the Bar/Bat Mitzvah program commenced.

Ramat Hadassah Szold - Pupils took part in a Tu B’Shvat Seder and planted saplings near the villages Zoological Center established by a donation from the “Spirit of Israel” Campaign. They began their special Bat/Bar Mitzvah program.

Nitzana - About 100 Jewish Agency SELAH and KEDMA students planted saplings and a Tu B’Shvat Seder was held. Ben Yakir - A festive Tu B’Shvat Seder was held which included quizzes and games, songs and religious readings.

Rabbi Eliezer Simcha Weisz, Chief Rabbi of the Emek Hefer Region in which Ben Yakir is located stressed that trees, like good people, are drawn to the light and do not prosper in darkness. “You have immigrated to Israel from all around the world,” he said. “And at Tu B’Shvat you are able to see that Israel has the best fruits anywhere in the world.”

“This is only my second Tu B’Shvat in Israel,” said 13 year-old Vladimir, who immigrated to Israel from Ukraine 20 months ago. “Before I came here I always thought that Israel was completely desert. I have been surprised to see so many forests. It has been a pleasant surprise.”

Adar Aleph 5763 - February 2003