Standing Firm and Digging Deeper in Netzer

Four times Arabs have uprooted olive trees in Netzer planted by Efrat schoolchildren to mark a classmate’s bat mitzvah. For this girl and her family, the most meaningful way to celebrate the joyous occasion was to plant trees in the Land of Israel.

To make it clear to the vandals that their hooliganism wouldn’t discourage us – and in fact would encourage us — we planted mature trees to replace the uprooted saplings. The new trees suggest a stronger and more enduring presence . . . and are also much harder to uproot.

Last week, we brought in the new trees from the Galilee by truck and planted them with the help of two tractors in the middle of the night. (See the beautiful addition to the landscape in the accompanying photos.)

We want to continue making this strong statement of discouragement to the Arabs by continuing to plant mature trees in various parts of Netzer. However, the cost of older trees is high. Transportation, planting, watering, and care cost 950 NIS or $250 per year.

We wish to encourage anyone interested in planting trees in the Land of Israel in memory of loved ones, in honor of a new birth, as a bar or bat mitzvah present, or to mark any other occasion, to plant in Netzer. We will post your dedication on your tree and then tenderly care for it – it will await your visit while it guards the land of Judea for the Jewish People for posterity.

Every Jewish tree adds to the beauty of our country and redeems the Jewish heartland for the Jewish People. Please become a personal actor in our national redemption!

Checks should be made out to “Women in Green ” along with your desired dedication and sent to: P.O. Box 7352, Jerusalem 91072 Israel.

Our spades are ready and awaiting your response,

Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar

Women For Israel’s Tomorrow (Women in Green) www.womeningreen.org