What it’s about
Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) is passionately committed to the restoration and renewal of Israel’s precious forest ecosystems. This action is vital, following significant wartime damages, and it serves as a crucial touchstone for both environmental and emotional recovery among Israelis.
Why it matters
For Israelis, the forests are an important cultural and social resource, offering an essential space for community resilience and healing. In uncertain times, they are sanctuaries that promote emotional and physical well-being—lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, and enhancing life’s quality. Through ambitious projects aimed at rehabilitation, KKL-JNF acknowledges the strength derived from these forested spaces, highlighting the integral connection between land and people.
Inspiring Recovery Initiatives
Among its forward-thinking efforts, KKL-JNF supports a program designed for at-risk youth, employing natural surroundings for education and emotional healing. By fostering an environment for growth and recovery, young lives can be positively redirected, proving that within nature lies the potential for profound personal transformation. The forests are a shared, “apolitical” environment, open and free, facilitating social bonds and personal rejuvenation.
The Challenge
Rehabilitating the forests comes with challenges, particularly due to wartime impacts like fires and destruction. While KKL-JNF moves swiftly towards restoration, it also aims to preserve forest areas from being diverted to non-forest uses. Such actions require diligent effort and extensive resources.
The Vision of Healing and Rebuilding
Against the backdrop of these restoration initiatives, Director Noah Tal shares a testimony of personal resilience. For her family, the forests became a literal lifeline during recovery from wartime injury, demonstrating their vital role in rehabilitation over more conventional medical approaches. Her husband’s recovery within the peaceful environment of the forest culminates in a return to active life.
The Global Importance
Israel’s forests play a non-negligible role globally in promoting peace and health. Tal recognizes the exceptional contribution of KKL-JNF’s supporters worldwide in preserving these sanctuaries for everyone to benefit from. The possibility of enjoying Israel’s forests, thus ensuring the continuation of healing spaces and natural beauty, is a testament to shared global stewardship and mutual growth.
Call to Action
Every contribution aids in ensuring these natural sanctuaries endure as spaces of healing and importance for Israeli and global communities alike. Supporting the rejuvenation of these forests is not only an investment in Israeli environmental health but also a strengthening cord that ties us all to a shared vision of sustainability and peace.
This story was first published on jpost.com.