CAARI works! Digs the soil and meets an underwater archaeologist!

If it is Tuesday, it must be Forest Day. 

It is a sunny and warm day with temperatures in the high 70's, but very windy.  We aren't used to a weather pattern with desert winds!  

Off we go to meet very special people in Horhsim Forest, about a half hour outside of Tel Aviv.  This JNF Forest was established in the 40’s.   We met 91 year old “Yashke” Staretch and his daughter Miri. They have dedicated this recreation area, with picnic tables, walking paths through Byzantine ruins and lovely vistas,  in memory of Hezi (son and brother)  who was killed by a suicide bomber on a bicycle on 11.11.94 at Netzerim Junction in Gaza just south of the City of Gaza.

CAARI works here every year, as Hezi was Neil's IDF commander. We are always  greeted us with a warm reception, including food and drink.   After all, we need our nourishment to work!  And, work we did!  

This forest was badly burned, in a deliberately set fire, in 2016. So we did a mitzvah.  Yashke's  plan was for us to clean an area that was burned by the fire.  With pick, hoe and rake in hand, we cleared the area, dug the holes and planted rosemary saplings.  

 Couldn't believe that 4 hours passed so quickly.  Love being outside in February!  CAARI works!  We did have our picnic lunch indoors, due to wind conditions.  

CAARI meets Yaacov Agam

Today's afternoon adventure was to the newly opened Agam Museum, located in Rishon L'Zion.  Our own Arline gave an introduction to Agam and kinetic art as we drove to the museum.    

The Museum is very impressive with the colorful 29 columns at the entrance plaza.  Once inside, we had an amazing guide Avital, who explained about Agam, the man, his works and the reasoning behind this genius of an artist. 

As she was explaining one of Agam's works of art, she said, "Agam, how nice to see you"! 

We all turned around, with our mouths wide open,  and there he was in person!  What a thrill!  He spoke to the group, explaining some of his concepts.  Yaacov Agam is now 90 years old and still working - restoring one of his leading works in Israel - musical and fire fountain located in Dizengoff Circle. 

The one picture shows Agam intently listening to Susan, one of the CAARI Directors, as she explains our CAARI group.  He was also interested in what we liked.  Later as we were walking through the museum he came up to us and spoke to us and then he continued working on his project. 




Who is Yaacov Agam? 

Agam is known as the Father of the Kinetic Movement in Modern Art and one of the world's leading 20th century artists.  He was born in Israel, Rishon LeZion, and studied in Bezalel School of Art in Jerusalem and in Zurich and Paris with well known artists.  Agam's works have been displayed in important museums around the world, such as,  MoMA, Guggenheim in New York  and the Pompidou Center in Paris.   

CAARI is full of  surprises making this a wonderful way to see and be in Israel!  We REALLY see -  Israel's hidden gems! 

Friday in Tel Aviv - Feb. 1 - New Arrivals

CAARI - Back in Tel Aviv from our northern experience!  What a four days we had!  Now, we are energized  for our community service for the next 10 days!  Last evening 7 others joined the CAARI group.  

Friday they were introduced to spring-like weather as they came from the frigid Canada and east coast.  They began the day with a tour along Tel Aviv's new Independence Trail, from the 1900's to today,  and time to explore the city on the own - the shuk, crafts market and a stop at a local cafe for a coffee - just like the Tel Avivians!  

Wishing all a Shabbat Shalom

Visit to JNF-KKL Nursery and Tree Planting!

TREES!  Thursday was our closing day in the Galilee and we ended the day with a true connection with the land of Israel!  What could be better than getting you hands in the soil and planting a tree for a happy occasion or in memory of someone special?  All this is possible with the Jewish National Fund (JNF) and the JNF in Israel known as KKL (Keren Keyemth l'Yisrael).   

We see the trees, forests and other park and recreation projects, as we drive through the country.  But, where do they come from?  Who takes care of them? KKL-JNF cares for them!

We learned this as we toured one of the three nurseries spread throughout the country, the one in the  north. Kalil, one of the KKL foresters spoke to use about the trees and JNF.  This was followed by Halel, who walked us through the 'birthing' process from a seedling to a tree!  We were impressed with the knowledge and dedication to their love for the trees!  

 

 CAARI Plants Trees