Not the Israel of their youth: Baby Boomers see country anew on JNF tours

Over the course of nearly 20 years, over 500,000 young Jews have traveled to Israel with Taglit-Birthright for an unforgettable opportunity to connect with the country. Alleviating the fear that the next generation of Jews will drift further from their Jewish traditions, Birthright has become an institution for Israel education and learning. Parents and grandparents "kvell" when their children return from such a transformative experience, living their Israel experiences vicariously through Facebook and Instagram photos, and also feeling newfound appreciation for Judaism and Zionism and pride in their heritage.

But loving all Israel has to offer isn't just for the younger generation, as a recent Jewish National Fund (JNF-USA) Sunshine Tour for travelers 55 and over proves. "This is not the same Israel I grew up with," one participant said. "This is an adventure in context with the land. It is living history and it's really spectacular."

Catch and release: Bird-banding in Yerucham brings unexpected joy

A recently banded bird at the Hoopoe Center of Ornithology and Ecology, just moments before its release. 

By Bob Weiss 

During last month's $1 Billion Roadmap mission to Israel, JNF's Yerucham Task Force got to sample how much fun it can be to actually play around town. First, we had rental bikes delivered to the new Desert Iris Hotel in the southern desert town. Then, our special guest partner, Ido Eisikovits from Green Horizons, tried to keep up as the task force, properly helmeted of course, rode downhill through town and into Yerucham Lake Park.

At the bottom of the hill, we were greeted by Yoram Zvik, manager of the Hoopoe, the Yerucham Center of Ornithology and Ecology, who runs a bird-banding and education program in the park. The Yerucham Lake, located in the middle of the park, is formed by a dam to capture seasonal runoff. Although its level fluctuates quite a bit during the year, there is always open water, making it easy to spot in the Negev as tens of thousands of birds pass over on their way between Africa and Europe. Yerucham is one of the best places in Israel to easily watch the parade.

U.S. ambassador to Israel swings by shiny new tourist center in Akko

As Alon Badihi of JNF's Israel office looks on, U.S. Ambassador Daniel Shapiro signs the registry at JNF's new
Western Galilee Tourist Information Center. 

By Jennifer Tzivia MacLeod

U.S. Ambassador Daniel Shapiro was met with treats, lots of treats. 

Daniel Shapiro, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, paid a recent visit to the Jewish National Fund's new Western Galilee Tourist Information Center in Akko to show support for the organization’s efforts to increase tourism and employment growth in northern Israel. While in Akko, Shapiro praised the region’s multiculturalism and ongoing commitment to coexistence and "shared citizenship."

Ambassador Shapiro spent a day visiting with local authorities and others to discuss development in the region. His stop at the tourist center included tastes of local delicacies presented by representatives of Western Galilee Now (WGN), a grassroots consortium of more than 30 tourism-related businesses in the area, which is known for attractions like its picturesque wineries and sweeping views. 

Festival connects Israelis of all backgrounds with a traditional Christmas

By Jennifer Tzivia MacLeod

Hundreds of Israelis headed north this week for a taste of something they don't usually get to experience -- a traditional Christmas in the Western Galilee. Despite chilly temperatures and drizzling rain, nearly 700 people flocked from all over the country for the fourth Western Galilee Now Winter Festival to see how their Christian neighbors celebrate.

Tour guide Amnon Gofer, who led a geopolitical tour through the Arab city of Tarshiha, said Israelis are driven by a deep innate curiosity. "It doesn’t say in the Torah 'sit and learn,'" he said. "It says 'go and learn.'"