The Greening of Israel N THE HO F I LY N L -J A L N K D K KKL Resource & Development Division Projects & Marketing Department, Jerusalem, January 2009 January, 2009 Nurturing the Holy Land Since ancient times the landscapes of the Holy Land have captured the hearts and minds of believers, strengthening their faith. The holy sites commemorate the events described in the Bible and breathe a new, positive spirit into the human soul – the spirit of fellowship, hope, and peace. Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael – Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) has been working for over a century to nurture and preserve the landscapes of the Promised Land so that they may continue to inspire humans of all faiths and backgrounds. This modest booklet presents a brief taste of some of our work to preserve the spirit of the Land. Partners and donors of all faiths play a part in these activities. Their prayers, and the actions of those who love humanity and love the Holy Land, are our hope for peace and calm in the Holy Land and throughout the world. Efi Stenzler KKL/JNF World Chairman KKL-JNF in the Holy Land KKL-JNF has been active in the Holy KKL-JNF is also responsible for caring for KKL-JNF's Past and Future connection with the Vatican Land over the past century in many some 40,000 hectares of natural woodland spheres, including planting new forests; and has opened roads through the forests so As in the past, KKL-JNF continues to initiate restoring and caring for existing forests that they can become accessible recreation projects to ensure the conservation of Biblical and woods; reclaiming land for human areas for both tourists and local residents. Israel. The meeting with His Holiness, Pope settlement, agriculture, and tourism; Benedict XVI, in January 2009 is another step and constructing reservoirs to provide All this has not been solely a Jewish effort. in the process of Catholic-Jewish dialogue first desperately-needed water. Today we are Thousands of Christians have planted trees consecrated in living form by the Catholic- one of the major environmental in t Jewish Reconciliation Forest. organizations in Israel. he Land of the Bible in honor and in memory of their loved ones, friends, and On Friday, March 24th, 2000, immediately Since its founding, KKL-JNF has planted leaders. following Mass at Korazim on the Mount of more than 220 million trees in Israel Beatitudes, Pope John Paul II blessed an olive covering an area of some one hundred tree sapling that was presented to him by representatives of the KKL-JNF. The sapling was later planted at Amnun Beach on the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee by Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, a senior representative of the papal entourage from the Vatican and President of the Vatican's 2000 Grand Jubilee Committee, together with Piero Abbina, President of KKL-JNF Italy. In 1997, formal papal secretary Monsignor Lorie Copavilla planted a tree at a new forest in Nazareth honoring Pope John XXIII. Some forty Italian pilgrims from Pope John XXIII's KKL-JNF IN THE LAND OF THE BIBLE The Sea of Galilee Nurturing the holy places and natural beauty of the Sea of Galilee. KKL is continually working to restore and protect beaches around the Sea of Galilee. There are many holy sites along the shores of the lake, and thousands of Christian pilgrims and other tourists visit the area every year. The Jordan Park KKL-JNF PROJECTS AT HOLY SITES Coming over Jordan - then and now. FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE The Jordan Park covers an area of approximately one hundred hectares along the banks of this holy river. KKL-JNF The Millennium Forest Once again, as has developed the park and Christian many times in the past, pilgrims will sacred places for the benefit of pilgrims have the opportunity of planting a tree and visitors of all faiths. where their ancestors walked, covering the hills in green. The Route of the Annunciation The Millennium Forest, many parts of which Through the Galilee in Jesus' footsteps. have already been planted, lies on the The Central Galilee is home to many slopes surrounding Nazareth in the Lower Christian holy places and sites of interest. Galilee and covers an area of about 200 KKL-JNF plans to develop the Route of the square kilometers. The forest is an Annunciation - a network of tour routes outstanding combination of planted conifer and promenades connecting Capernaum forests, natural woodland and olive groves. with the Precipice Mount. Tourism and pilgrimage centers will be built along the Nazareth - the Precipice Mount Complex way marking places where Jesus worked, Nazareth - where it all began. One of the as well as places of scenic and landscape holiest sites in Christianity. interest. KKL has begun developing one of the most beautiful sites in the Reconciliation Forest - River Jordan Baptism Site the Precipice Mount Complex. Development Baptism in the Land of Holy Water. in this project includes a three Panoramic The Pilgrims' Baptism Site is situated at The Olive Heritage Trail Korazim – The Mount of the Beatitudes The Holy Land as part of a Mediterranean basin of hope. “Now when he saw the crowds, he went up The Olive Heritage Trail is a project on a mountainside and sat down. His sponsored by UNESCO and the Council of disciples came to him, and began to teach Europe that seeks to celebrate the diverse them saying: Blesses are the poor in spirit.” and shared cultures of the lands around the (Matthew 5: 1-3) Mediterranean Sea. The olive is a treasured It was on the Mount of Beatitudes that Jesus symbol of all the peoples in the Holy Land, preached his famous sermon and gave eight and as such is a fitting emblem for the blessings to a crowd of thousands. diverse intercultural and coexistence KKL-JNF is developing a unique tourist activities promoted by the project. complex (accessible to people with “‘Can you see anything? …I can see disabilities) in an area replete with people,Bethsaida but they look like trees walking.’ significant Christian sites. Visitors will be Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes able to relax under shady trees and pergolas again;…and his sight was restored and he overlooking the Sea of Galilee and Korazim, where the late Pope John Paul II celebrated mass in the year 2000. The tel (a mound composed of layers of ruins from ancient settlement) of Bethsaida in the Beit Zayda Valley is on the east shore of the Sea of Galilee. KKL-JNF is developing the site to create a convenient and pleasant center for visitors, especially along the River "The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a Tabgha - The traditional site of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes. city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin It is situated 2.5 kilometers from …her name as Mary …He came to her and Capernaum. said: 'Hail, O favored one, the lord is with "Taking the five loaves and the two fish you… and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks And behold, you will conceive in your womb and broke the loaves, then he gave them to and bear a son, and you shall call his name his disciples to set before the people. He Jesus.'" (Luke 1). Har Tabor - Overlooking the Sea of Galilee Kfar Nachum - Capernaum - The site of the ancient fishing village of Capernaum is located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. "When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to the Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, Bethsaida - Bethsaida is important as the which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun home of the Disciples, the site of feeding the and Napthali." (Matthew 4:12-13) multitudes, the healing of the blind man, and where the witness reported seeing Jesus walk On the waters. "As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers casting a net into the sea.” (Matthew 4:18) "Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid". Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded." .