Foto Friday – New Year for Acasias
Filed under: Environment, Foto Friday, General, History and Culture, Holidays
The tree known as Acacia tortilis or Umbrella Thorn is a medium to large canopied tree native primarily to Northeast Africa. It also grows in the Middle East, where it is known to botanists as the Israeli Babool or to the rest of us by its Hebrew name “shitta” (pronounced “shee-ta”). Hmmm… it sounds better in Hebrew.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Although it’s the flowering almond tree that generally gets the glory on Tu b’ Shvat, the Jewish New Year for the trees, this year two others take central stage: planting conifers in the Galilee (though not at the Carmel Forest, which is being allowed to lie fallow and recover from December’s fire). And there is acacia tree planting in the Central Arava as the Adopt an Acacia project enters its second year.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Over the decades, the Central Arava has embodied the vision of making the desert bloom. But human habitation and agricultural progress have their price. Although the hardy acacia can withstand drought and the desert climate, it has faltered in the face of human progress. The water that was once available to the trees was now diverted before reaching the aquifer. The result: dead and dying trees.
The project — led by the KKL-JNF — has its volunteers plant acacia trees near villages and in other easily accessible areas, so that the caretakers can ensure their seedlings are properly cared for as they begin to strike root.
Photo: KKL-JNF
After all, there is a long-standing relationship between children of Israel and the acacia tree, which was used in the construction of the Tabernacle that served as a portable house of worship in the wilderness, as well as its furnishings — including the Ark of the Covenant.
Since those biblical times, the acacia has continued as an important part of the desert economy. Just like that animal whose every part is used “except for the squeal,” so the acasia has served as a multi-purpose resource. Its pods, leaves and flowers are eaten by desert animals fodder, the bark is a source of tannin, the sap can be used as glue and all of the above-mentioned can be found in items as diverse as decoration, weaponry and folk medicine.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
There are species of acacia all over the world, from Australia and Argentina. to the Americas and Africa. In our region — the Negev, Sinai and Jordan — there are three species: Acacia tortilis, Acacia albida and Acacia iraqensis.
For more amazing photos in the spirit of Tu b’ Shvat, visit Free Israel Photos, Flowers in Israel and the JNF-KKL, which has two lovely screensaversfor download, free of charge. And tree-planting activities will continue throughout the month – check the JNF-KKL website for details.
Foto Friday – 9/11 Living Memorial
Filed under: Art, design, Foto Friday, General, History and Culture, Picture of the Week, Politics, War
With the somber anniversary of 9/11 approaching, it is fitting to call attention to Jerusalem memorial erected to mark the event and its fallen.
The memorial is literally off the beaten path, situated outside Jerusalem on a road that isn’t yet completed or well-marked. You basically get off Highway 1 at Motza, start heading towards Mevasseret Zion and then veer off on an unpaved road towards Emek HaArazim. A short drive brings visitors to the JNF-KKL Arazim Park and the Bronka Stavsky Rabin Weintraub Living Memorial Plaza.
© Pes & Lev, JerusalemShots
The 30-foot bronze sculpture by artist Eliezer Weisshoff represents an American flag that gradually turns into a memorial flame. It rests on a base of granite brought over from the Twin Towers and is the only memorial site outside New York on which are engraved the names of all those killed. The sculpture was created with the purpose of expressing the event simply and symbolically without the use of elements of destruction, loss and ruin.
Some more excellent images of the 9/11 Memorial by photographer Hanan Isachar are available on his website. And a video of last year’s dedication ceremony has been posted on the US Embassy Tel Aviv YouTube channel. Take a moment to watch and reflect.
Foto Friday – Parks, Recreation and Firefighting
Filed under: Environment, Foto Friday, General, History and Culture, Israeliness, Life, Picture of the Week, Travel
It’s only Friday and already Sunday’s massive forest fire has all but disappeared from the headlines. To recap: about 450 acres of forest (this figure according to the Keren Kayemet Leyisrael -Jewish National Fund) in the Ora-Aminadav area went up in flames.
The fire started at two separate points. 100 KKL-JNR staff, nine fire trucks and five firefighting aircraft participated in the extensive operation. The fire spread towards nearby Hadassah Hospital where 23 vehicles in the hospital parking area were burned.
Roads were blocked for hours and some Ora and Aminadav residents were evacuated but returned during the night after the fire was successfully controlled and put out. All in all, it could have been much worse. One month earlier on June 29, the country experienced its most severe wave of fires since 2008. Which was the worst since 2006. And so on.
Like many arid regions, Israel’s hot, dry summer weather is an easy target for wildfires set both by accident and on purpose. KKL-JNF has become increasingly vigilant about protecting Israel’s forests, stating that it invests more than $5 million annually in fighting forest and field fires. This includes maintenance and operation of 22 firefighting vehicles with off-road capabilities, dozens of fire fighters on duty 24/7, communications systems and 30 fire watchtowers — also manned ’round the clock.
KKL-JNF also operates a forest fire risk forecast service, co-manages an aerial firefighting fund, conducts forest fire investigations and implements their conclusions. Because afforestation is what they do. Over the past 100-plus years, KKL-JNF has planted more than 200 million trees covering over 225,000 acres of land. So there is every hope that the Aminadav trail – seen here in its pre-fire state – will be that way again one day.
In addition to planting trees and protecting them from fire, KKL-JNF also develops regional parks and recreation areas, restores historical sites, rehabilitates springs and rivers, and builds roads and trails for hiking and biking. If you can’t get to Israel right away, there’s plenty to see on their YouTube channel, like this movie about the Ilanot Forest, a wheelchair accessible park and “Tree Museum”.
Foto Friday – Painting Feb Red
Filed under: Art, Environment, Foto Friday, General, History and Culture
It’s February which means only six more weeks of winter, or maybe just six minutes more, given the freakish weekend hot spell. The JNF-KKL has declared February a month-long Festival Darom Adom, or Scarlet South Festival, in honor of the wild red anemones now dotting the fields all over the country, but particularly the northern Negev region where the local residents have organized walking tours and entertainment.
Photo by Hirshfield, courtesy JNF-KKL
The red anemone or calanit, is a favorite of Israelis and one of the success stories of Israel’s campaign to save its wildflowers.
Photo courtesy of Free Israel Photos
According to website Wild Flowers in Israel, an excellent resource, “the Hebrew name ‘kalanit’ is related to the Hebrew word for a bride ‘kala’, referring to its beauty,” and is mentioned the Talmud.
Photo courtesy of Flowers in Israel
Hebrew University’s Flora of Israel Online has plenty of scientific articles and lots more photos of this beloved flower.
Photo courtesy of Wildflowers in Israel
For those who can’t be here right now to see these red beauties at their peak, we present a few images to enjoy. And please visit the JNF-KKL website to download their amazing screensaver of Israel’s wildflowers.
Photo by Gil Soffer
Foto Friday – Tu b’Shvat is here!
Filed under: Foto Friday, General, Holidays, Israeliness, Picture of the Week, Travel
Tu B’Shvat, the New Year for Trees is upon us! The almond trees are in full bloom.
© Barak Sekeles
For those who live in cold climates and can’t get here in time…
© SOBO Dan
…here are some amazing images of pinky-white blossoms against brilliant blue skies.
Photo by Ester Inbar, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Last week was cold and rainy…
Photo by Eli Zahavi, courtesy of Piki Wiki Israel via Wikimedia Commons
…and given this winter’s wacky weather, who knows what next week could bring…
Photo by Ester Inbar, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
…but this weekend we will enjoy ourselves the warm holiday sunshine.
Photo by Dror K, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
I’m a Groundhog’s Day baby, so believe me when I say: only 6 more weeks till spring!
© SOBO Dan
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