This past week officially marked the start of the Jewish National Fund?s centenary celebrations. President Moshe Katsav attended the opening ceremonies, along with JNF delegations from around the world, Israeli government ministers, members of Knesset, JNF leaders and many others.
The President said, ?Throughout the 100 years of its existence, the JNF has been a full partner in Zionist activity in the State of Israel, and we expect it to continue to be loyal to serve the Jewish people loyally.? JNF Co-Chairman Shlomo Gravetz said that the JNF would rise to the President?s expectations, even as doubt was cast, in Durban, ?over the question of the right of the Jewish people to live in Eretz Israel.? Indeed, JNF Chairman Yehiel Leket emphasized, there is a very important ideological aspect of JNF activity in that it is based on the concept of Jewish attachment to and ownership of the Land of Israel.
100 years of JNF activity for the sake of Israel?s earth, forest and open areas (symbolized by brown, green and blue) will be commemorated by a special stamp to be issued by the Israeli Postal Authority. Other events during the year will include the ?Festival of the Century?, which will take place during the intermediary days of the holiday of Sukkot, at the Ben-Shemen forest near Modi?in. There will be dozens of attractions available free to the general public, including a concert by Israel?s top musicians. Throughout the year, the JNF will work towards keeping the parks and forests open to the general public. Over the past year, 30,000 people have joined a new JNF friends club that holds regular events in JNF forests and elsewhere. Overseas, the JNF will embark on a major fundraising campaign for the construction of 100 new water storage tanks in Israel.
The President said, ?Throughout the 100 years of its existence, the JNF has been a full partner in Zionist activity in the State of Israel, and we expect it to continue to be loyal to serve the Jewish people loyally.? JNF Co-Chairman Shlomo Gravetz said that the JNF would rise to the President?s expectations, even as doubt was cast, in Durban, ?over the question of the right of the Jewish people to live in Eretz Israel.? Indeed, JNF Chairman Yehiel Leket emphasized, there is a very important ideological aspect of JNF activity in that it is based on the concept of Jewish attachment to and ownership of the Land of Israel.
100 years of JNF activity for the sake of Israel?s earth, forest and open areas (symbolized by brown, green and blue) will be commemorated by a special stamp to be issued by the Israeli Postal Authority. Other events during the year will include the ?Festival of the Century?, which will take place during the intermediary days of the holiday of Sukkot, at the Ben-Shemen forest near Modi?in. There will be dozens of attractions available free to the general public, including a concert by Israel?s top musicians. Throughout the year, the JNF will work towards keeping the parks and forests open to the general public. Over the past year, 30,000 people have joined a new JNF friends club that holds regular events in JNF forests and elsewhere. Overseas, the JNF will embark on a major fundraising campaign for the construction of 100 new water storage tanks in Israel.