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January 10, 2003/Shevat 7 5763, Vol. 55, No. 20
JNF, Forest Service team up for festival
LEISAH NAMM
Managing Editor
The similar climates of the American Southwest and Israel have led to a 15-year partnership between the Jewish National Fund and the U.S. Forest Service.
"It is a unique relationship," said Stanton Florea, spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. "To some people, it may seem like an odd marriage on the outside, but when you look at the similarities geographically between Israel and Arizona, there's some striking similarities."
Locally, the U.S. Forest Service is a co-sponsor of the Jan. 19 Jewish National Fund communitywide Tu B'Shevat Festival - the third consecutive year the two groups have worked together.
"They could not be better partners and more enthusiastic and helpful," said Ted Kort, JNF regional director, about the U.S. Forest Service's involvement in the festival.
Because the climate is cold this time of year in most other U.S. communities, the scale of the Valley's joint Tu B'Shevat celebration - which last year attracted nearly 4,000 participants - is unique to Arizona, said Sarina Roffie, spokeswoman for JNF's national office. "In Arizona, it's warm enough (to) have a really good festival."
In addition to selling trees for both Arizona and Israeli reforestation efforts, the festival is designed to educate the public about water and land issues.
Tonto National Forest representatives will have a festival booth and a fire prevention trailer, Florea said. The booth will offer a conservation activity for children as well as volunteer information.
Since JNF's mission is caretaker of the land of Israel, and the Forest Service's mission is caring for the land and serving the people, the missions of the two groups are similar, Roffie said.
Besides comparing information on issues such as forestry, soil erosion, watershed assessment and water conservation, the groups share educational training - U.S. foresters go to Israel for training, and Israeli foresters receive training in the United States.
The U.S. Forest Service shares key information on forest fire-fighting measures, communication systems and awareness campaigns, and JNF shares information on water and soil conservation technology to deserts in Arizona, California and Texas, according to a JNF press release. Recently, JNF shared information on restoring semi-arid watersheds in the Southwest and techniques for reestablishing vegetation on overgrazed lands in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
The Jan. 19 festival will include Tu B'Shevat seders, entertainment, folk dancing, food, Israeli wine tasting, rides, games, crafts, a visit from Smokey Bear and booths by various community organizations. There will also be a ceremonial tree-planting featuring Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross; Karl Siderits, forest supervisor for the Tonto National Forest; and Burt Kruglick, president of the Arizona region of JNF. Jewish News is the media sponsor.
Contact the writer at leisah_namm@jewishaz.com.
Details
- What: Tu B'Shevat festival
- Who: Jewish National Fund, U.S. Forest Service
- When: noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19
- Where: Scottsdale Civic Center Mall amphitheater, 75th and Main streets.
- Call: 602-277-4800
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