As synagogues and temples remain closed due to health prevention measures, Jewish congregations throughout New England are finding new ways to deepen their connection to the land and people of Israel.
Over the past month, Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA) has partnered with hundreds of rabbis to support their tree-planting efforts in Israel. Rabbis from Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist movements have participated in the tree-planting initiative to honor their congregants during this difficult time.
Rabbi Rachel Silverman of Temple Israel of Sharon feels it’s important that we show gratitude toward our local community: “It has been a lovely gift to be able to use these [tree] certificates to celebrate worthy people in our community. I always love saying thank you, recognizing deserving people and making them feel special, but in these times of social distancing, that is harder to do. The gift of trees for us to give to other people was a great success and I know it was appreciated by the people who received them.”
“We feel privileged to partner with rabbis and congregations across the denominational spectrum who share our love for the land and people of Israel, and Jewish people everywhere,” said Dana Gerbie Klein, JNF-USA Israel programs admissions director. “In Boston, we are blessed to have such an active and supportive Jewish community, and when it comes to environmental conservation and caring for our Jewish homeland, Boston’s synagogues and temples lead the way.”
Jewish National Fund-USA is the leading philanthropic organization for Israel that supports critical environmental and nation-building activities in Israel’s north and south. Through its One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade, Jewish National Fund-USA is developing new communities in the Galilee and Negev, connecting the next generation to Israel and creating infrastructure for ecology, special needs and heritage preservation.
For more information on how to plant trees in Israel with JNF-USA, visit jnf.org/trees. Congregational rabbis seeking to partner with JNF-USA should contact Dana Klein at dklein@jnf.org or 617-423-0999 ext. 484.
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