The Jewish National Fund is known for planting trees. Even though the scope of the environmental work the organization does is so broad, Tu Bi'Shevat is a time where the JNF returns to its roots and focuses on planting trees in Israel. Not only do trees provide excellent benefits to the environment, but they help keep borders safe and help to prevent soil erosion.

In order to raise money for this project, the JNF will be holding a telethon on January 26^th, 2014 from 1pm to 7pm. Volunteers will gather in the Multipurpose Room at the Rady JCC and make phone calls to past donors asking if they'd like to plant a tree in Adamit Park in honour of Tu Bi'Shevat. There are still some volunteers spots available and the JNF is asking that you call or email the office if you are interested. Otherwise, please answer their call on January 26^th!

This Tu Bi’Shevat, JNF Canada will plant trees at Adamit Park and in addition, replant magnificent, mature trees that will be uprooted and relocated.

Adamit Park has significant meaning to JNF Canada.  In 2008, a monument was erected by JNF Canada to honour the memory of Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser and all those who were killed during the war.  This area is within close proximity to the location where Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser were abducted which initiated the 2nd Lebanese War.

In addition to the telethon, the JNF is involved in a few other Tu Bi'Shevat events happening within the community. The first one is called “An Evening Among the Trees” and is held at the Assiniboine Park Conservatory on Saturday, January 18^th at 8pm. The event is 18+ and will include, appetizers, dancing, wine, a Tu Bi'Shevat seder and live music by Shayla Fink and Kinzey Posen. This event is brought to you by the Jewish National Fund, Congregation Etz Chayim, Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, and Congregation Shaarey Zedek.

The next day, JNF will help deliver Tu Bi'Shevat at the Manitoba Children's Museum. On Sunday, January 19 at 2pm, Jewish National Fund, Congregation Etz Chayim, Congration Shaarey Zedek, PJ Library and Rady JCC will host an afternoon of family fun. Families in attendance will enjoy an afternoon of family fun with Tu Bi'Shevat themed crafts and games, learn about trees and Israel, glitter tattoos, planting, snacks, HUGE scavenger hunt, raffle prize, special birthday cake for the trees and free play in the museum.

Involving the Jewish community of Winnipeg as much as possible is of course a top priority for the JNF, especially during Tu Bi'Shevat. JNF is bringing in Aviram Zuck from Israel to speak at Shaarey Zedek synagogue during the Shabbat service on Saturday, January 18^th. Aviram is the forest supervisor for KKL-JNF in Israel and is responsible for all the forest management plans, implementation and research. He leads special projects for the benefit of the unique and diverse communities of the region and for visitors and tourists. At Etz Chayim the following week on January 25^th, Rob Berkowits, Executive Director of the Manitoba/Saskatchewan branch will speak about Tu Bi'Shevat, the project the JNF is supporting this year and the importance of planting trees in Israel.

For more information on JNF's Tu Bi'Shevat projects and events, visit jnfmanitoba.ca.

Pamela Wankling – Program & Communications Coordinator

Phone: 204-947-0207

E-Mail: [email protected]

jnf.ca