The United Synagogue

Tribe Takes To The Skies And Breaks New Ground

PRESS RELEASE

London,
2nd August 2011

TRIBE TAKES TO THE SKIES AND BREAKS NEW GROUND

Tribe’s first ever Israel Tour literally broke new ground this week. The 19 participants were given a unique perspective on the Land of Israel when, on the last day of tour, they were surprised with a helicopter ride over Jerusalem and the surrounding area.

Once back on the ground, they immediately went to leave their mark on the Land of Israel by planting their own trees in the JNF Lord Sacks Forest. Located near Yad Kennedy in the Jerusalem mountains, the participants had only moments before they had a bird’s eye view of where they were working.

Visiting the JNF Lord Sacks forest was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the participants connection to the land of Israel by planting roots in the soil and contributing to JNF’s aim of making Israel green. A tree – the very symbol of life – brought home to Tribe Israel Tour participants the importance of Israel to the Jewish people.

Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks commented: “I am deeply touched that Tribe Israel Tour participants are planting trees in the Lord Sacks forest. I believe there is no greater honour than to have a forest dedicated in the place that the Jewish nation calls home. I wish the Tribe tour group b'hatzlacha for the rest of their trip and hope this will be the first of many for the United Synagogue.”

Tribe Israel Tour participant Adam Schapira said: “It’s exciting to know that I planted a tree here in Israel and I can’t wait to come back and see how much it has grown. This has been just one of the many inspiring moments we’ve had on Tour so far.”

David Goodman, Chief Executive of JNF, remarked: ‘Planting a tree in the Jewish homeland is a unique experience for anyone, especially young adults. It creates a special bond between the individual and the land of Israel and this is a connection that is retained throughout their life. We were delighted that Tribe chose to plant trees in the Lord Sacks Forest.”

-End-


EDITORS’ NOTES: -

The JNF Lord Sacks Forest is part of the larger Aminadav Forest, near Yad Kennedy in Jerusalem. It will contain up to 25,000 trees. It was dedicated by Lord and Lady Sacks on
16 June 2010.

JNF has always had environmental connections with the land of Israel; since 1901, JNF has planted more than 240 million trees, transforming more than 250,000 acres of arid land into lush green forests.


For further information, please contact:

Leonie Furman
The PR Office
Work: 020 7284 6969
Email: us@theproffice.com

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May. 25th - 26th
5th Sivan
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Ends: 22:03
Sedra: Bamidbar

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