Plant a tree, and win a trip to Israel

Photo: Eric Elkins

Plant a tree in Israel and win a chance to go there -- for free. 

Fancy a free to trip to Israel? 

In celebration of Tu BiShvat -- the Jewish New Year for trees, which will be celebrated on February 4 -- the Jewish National Fund is offering a chance to win a trip to Israel by planting a tree.

    
JNF has partnered with EL AL Airlines and the Carlton Hotel Tel Aviv for an exciting online raffle. When you plant a tree through jnf.org between January 26, 2015 at 12 a.m. ET and February 4, 2015 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET, you will be entered to win two free round-trip tickets to Israel, courtesy of EL AL Airlines, and a free two-night stay at the luxury Carlton Tel Aviv, breakfast included. Ten runners-up will win a free JNF E-Z Tree account, which allows you to purchase trees at a discount. 

    
"I was so grateful for this wonderful experience," said last year's winner, Susan Mair of Sarasota, Fla. "Israel always brings out deep feelings in my heart, and I am amazed at the ingenuity of the Israelis to overcome all obstacles." 

JNF CEO Russell Robinson picks last year's 

winner.

Mair was also moved by JNF's imprint on the land. "On a trip to the Golan Heights, our guide pointed out the reservoirs, irrigation lines, kibbutzim, towns, orchards, farm land, and forests that existed because of JNF, and how their work in water was saving crops in the midst of the long drought," she said. "None of this would have existed if it weren't for JNF's foresight and hard work for over a century."

    
While in Israel, you'll have the opportunity to plant a tree with your own two hands at Harvey Hertz-JNFCeremonial Tree Planting Center at Neot Kedumim, the world's only biblical landscape reserve.

     
Tu BiShvat embodies the abiding dedication to ecology, environmentalism, and conservation that JNF has always championed. Over the years, Tu BiShvat has taken on the theme of planting trees in Israel, creating a special connection to JNF.

    
There is no purchase necessary to take part in the JNF Tu BiShvat Sweepstakes. You may enter by filling out a downloadable PDF at jnf.org/tbsraffle and mailing your entry in a hand-addressed stamped envelope to: JNF Tu Bishvat Sweepstakes, c/o Jewish National Fund, Attn: Isaac Heger, 42 E. 69th St., New York, NY 10021. Mail-in entries must be postmarked by February 4, 2015 and received by February 10, 2015. Limit one entry per mailing envelope. Drawing will take place on or about February 12.