Digging in for a greener future

TALIA JACOBS

SYDNEY’S Jewish youth rolled up their sleeves to participate in Planet Ark’s National Tree Day earlier this month.

Organised by the Jewish National Fund (JNF) and Planet Ark, 30 members of JNFuture, the Australasian Union of Jewish Students and Hineni took time out of their weekend to plant native trees and shrubs at Dover Heights’ Rodney Reserve.

“Caring for the environment all over the planet is important, especially when we remind ourselves that we don’t own it, and so planting trees is an important part of that care,” said JNF federal education director Benjy Maor.

“From JNF’s perspective, it’s important that we make a difference in Israel but we are also making a difference in terms of the global environment in general,” he said.
The Jewish environmentalists were among the mass of volunteers around Australia who took part in the planting process.

“Focusing on young adults like members of JNFuture, AUJS and Hineni, is a great way to get young people out doing things for the community and the environment,” Maor said.

“It’s making a difference because its hands on, it’s getting out there to get our hands dirty and really do something.”

Maor told The AJN that the day was hugely successful, with the Jewish presence not going unnoticed by the Waverley Council coordinators.

“We made up about half the people that were there, so much so that the guy who organised it came up to me and said that if they had known how many of us were going to turn up, they would have organised a kosher barbecue.”

JNF’s next event, Walk the Land, a solidarity walk for Israel, will take place in Centennial Park on Sunday, August 30.