Augurio di Rosh Hashanà 5768 della Presidenza Mondiale del KKL

Jerusalem, Elul, 5767 - September 2007 To all our Friends, Worldwide, Shana Tova! Last year, we experienced the Lebanon War II and its results. After the war ended KKL-JNF mobilized its forces to rehabilitate damaged forests, investing much effort, resources and public support to cope with the new reality. These efforts have borne fruit. The people have proved that KKL-JNF forests are dear to their hearts and have demonstrated this by their actions. Thousands of volunteers of all ages from all sectors throughout the country and abroad have helped rehabilitate the forests of northern Israel with their own hands. In the south, the KKL-JNF invested particular effort in developing new settlements in the Negev and in literally making the desert bloom. We have invested numerous resources in preparing land for new settlements to absorb new residents in the Negev and the Arava, including evacuees from Gush Katif. We have prepared the groundwork for new communities, areas for hothouses, agriculture and paved roads. At the same time, we are also working on 250 different projects throughout the country. These include constructing water reservoirs, planting trees, agricultural groundwork, roads, ecological projects, and research & development. With regards the ecology, we have taken upon ourselves to become the leading Green organization in the country and to initiate new ecological programs to fulfill the Green vision of KKL-JNF. We have recently expanded our activities in our fight against global warming. In our new project "A Tree for each Citizen", we hope to plant 7,200,000 trees in the next decade – one tree for each citizen in Israel. Following the strategic decisions made by the heads of KKL-JNF, the Jewish Agency and the World Zionist Organization, representatives of the J.A. and the WZO will cooperate with local representatives of KKL-JNF in promoting Zionist education, and will operate a KKL-JNF educational program in schools, youth movements and Jewish communities worldwide. We are about to reinstate the KKL-JNF blue-box in kindergartens and schools during the academic year, with the cooperation of the Ministry of Education, the Teachers’ Union, parents' organization and regional councils. The Blue Box message will be an ecological message. Each class will decide in which ecological venture in Israel to invest the money collected. We are convinced that the Blue Box will be seen not only as a symbol and identification with KKL-JNF activities, but also as an updated educational tool in the ecology and a symbol of our hopes for a better future. The extensive activities of KKL-JNF are for the public in the name of the Jewish People, with the purpose of strengthening settlements in the peripheries and for preserving our National Homeland, beautifying the country, and improving ecology and ecological awareness for future generations. Wishing you a Happy and Blessed New Year! Efi Stenzler Avraham Duvdevani World Chairman Co-Chairman