Foto Friday – A Zalul Look at Water

February 6, 2009 - 1:09 PM by · 1 Comment
Filed under: Art, Environment, Foto Friday, General, Life 

Israeli NGO Zalul Environmental Association is a nonprofit committed to protecting and maintaining clean, clear water along Israel’s rivers and shorelines.

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Shay Tal – “Goin’ in” – Dolphinarium Beach, Tel Aviv

In time for Tu b’Shvat, the Jewish holiday that celebrates the coming of spring, Zalul has launched a photo competition. The results are nothing short of impressive:

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Orit Zisman – “Jellyfish” – Tel Aviv

The theme of the contest is “Mayim Chaim” (”Water of Life”), celebrating that most precious natural resource, water, which Zalul points out is the source of life not just for trees, but for all living things.

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Ben Hadar – “Holy Water” – Greek Orthodox Church, Nazareth

As Zalul sees it, “Tu B’Shvat is the “New Year of the Trees” in the Jewish tradition. However, in modern times it has been reinterpreted as the Jewish Earth Day. Each year, Jews around the world come together to celebrate the holiday by planting trees, cleaning beaches, and participating in other acts of “Tikkun Olam” (repairing the world).”

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Asaf Shal – “Water love”

And there are prizes for the top three photos! The first place winner will receive a jacket from Columbia Sportswear; a Billabong beach kit including a backpack, inflatable pillow, beach mat, and a drink cozy as well as a hat and t-shirt from Zalul. What are you waiting for, shutterbugs? Take a look at their Flickr page, go out this weekend and start snapping!

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Amir Levon – “Raft” – Green Beach, Eilat

The competition closes on on February 8, 2009 (until 23:00) and full details are available at the Zalul website.

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First rains

September 28, 2008 - 1:39 PM by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: General, Life 

It was the first rain yesterday. In Israel we take our rain seriously. My children were out there quick as a flash, dancing around the garden as if…, well as if they hadn’t seen rain for six months.

Their education in water conservation was immediately apparent. Every container they could find was pressed into use catching raindrops and run off water from the roof. When the rain stopped they began diligently watering all the pots.

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It may have been short, and it was definitely filthy (the first rain always leaves you wiping down your windows, car, garden furniture, and the floor, if you unluckily left your window open), but yesterday’s rain was a welcome sight for everyone.

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Last year’s dry, warm winter compounded three previous years of drought, leaving Israel facing its worst water crisis in years.
With the red line of the Galilee – Israel’s main reservoir of natural water – already breached, pumping looks as if its set to reach the black line, beyond which point many believe the damage to the lake is irreversible.

With the government seemingly doing little to reverse the crisis – even water rates haven’t gone up in price – we desperately need rain this year, and many will be hoping that Saturday’s early shower will be an indication of a rainy winter to come. Around Jerusalem at least, up to half an inch fell yesterday, while in Tel Aviv and other areas of the country, the rain was fairly light and drizzly, allowing the parched earth to absorb some of the run off.

No forecasters are willing to give any predictions of rainfall this winter, but the rain did set in motion one important yearly tradition, known and dreaded by parents – mostly mothers – everywhere: the autumn switch to winter clothes, an exhausting job that involves trailing through the dark recesses of children’s wardrobes, and boxes stashed under the bed.

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