Tree Planting and Water Reservoirs in Northern Israel

“If you are holding a tree sapling, and they tell you that the Messiah has arrived,
first plant your sapling and only then go to greet the Messiah”

(Avot d'Rabbi Natan, 2:31)

One such spot was Elifelet, north of Lake Kinneret , from where there is a magnificent view of the lake, which, thanks to plentiful winter rains, is full this year.

The children participating in the tree planting were especially excited, either running around or standing in line, waiting their turn to plant.

Babayit Uve'Yahad , a group composed of Spanish-speaking new immigrants and veteran Israelis, came to plant trees in honor of Tu Bishvat.

These people recently arrived from Argentina, Chile, Colombia , and Cuba , and were very excited to be planting trees in Israel for the first time.

For those who were not in such a rush, KKL-JNF offered a tour to Jib Yousef – a local well that, according to Muslim tradition, is the spot where Joseph's brothers threw him into the pit.

From there the group climbed a green mountain, from which there was a breathtaking view of the entire surroundings – particularly, the new Amiad water reservoir currently being built by KKL-JNF.

Yoram, the KKL-JNF guide, explained that Israel 's water crisis is at the top of KKL-JNF priority list, and reservoirs had been built or were under construction throughout Israel .

The Amiad Reservoir, which should be completed in about a year, will have a storage capacity of 150,000 cubic meters of water.

It will store recycled effluents from Rosh Pina and local kibbutzim and villages. From an ecological standpoint, the Amiad reservoir is critical for the region, since at the present time, the sewage finds its way into the Kinneret, polluting Israel 's main water source.