Activities
The Jewish National Fund sponsors Tu Bishvat Festival celebrating Israel’s 65th birthday! The Arizona Region of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) held its annual community Tu Bishvat celebration, with special emphasis on celebrating Israel’s 65th birthday. Tu Bishvat celebrates Arbor Day in Israel, and is acknowledged worldwide in recognition of the importance of trees and our environment. The Tu Bishvat Festival was held on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at the Scottsdale Civic Center Amphitheater and the event was free of charge. This year’s event was attended by nearly 2,000 people, despite the rainy weather. Retail vendors and Jewish agencies from throughout the Valley were represented. The event also featured live music by Limelight and the Chai Tones, kosher wine tasting, a beer garden, recreational and educational activities, kosher food vendors, a children’s play area including rides and slides, a rock climbing wall, arts and crafts, Israeli dancing and more. Tree purchasing opportunities were also available for planting in Israel at the JNF booth. A special ‘happening’ was an opportunity to participate in a day-long marathon yoga activity; “Be the tree. Take a stand for Israel”. As in previous years, the U.S. Forest Service was the title sponsor of the event and Smokey Bear was there to share his mission of preventing forest fires. Proceeds from the event will support JNF’s on-going work in Israel. These services benefit all of the people of Israel; including taking action to help more than one million Israelis in cities and towns recently under rocket attack, water conservation, reforestation, ecologic and environmental projects, education, support of Israel’s firefighters, community building and many other important activities that improve the lives of Israelis everyday.
"We were delighted with the success of the Tu Bishvat Festival. Despite the gloomy weather, nearly 2,000 people came out to celebrate, and learn about the many agencies and organizations that are involved with Israel and the local Jewish community. It was a great day for all and we are grateful for the support of the Ramat Gan SisterCity program for being involved." - Randee Pri-Tal, co-chair of the event
“Participating in community events such as the Tu B’Shevat festival of the trees sponsored by the Jewish National Fund is a great way for people to learn about the Phoenix Sister Cities Ramat Gan committee and the work we do to connect with Israel.” -Nedda Shafir, Chair of the Phoenix Sister Cities Ramat-Gan Committee
May 2012 Delegation Trip Vice Mayor Michael Johnson led a delegation of 25 representatives from Phoenix to Ramat-Gan Israel to commemorate the 90th birthday of the City of Ramat-Gan. The delegation included Phoenix Sister Cities President Gina DeGraw, Phoenix Sister Cities Ramat-Gan Chair Tina Robbins, Phoenix Zoo President Bert Castro, Athletes’ Performance Vice President Marty Weems and Jewish Family & Children’s Service President and CEO Michael Zent. In addition to the official events associated with the 90th birthday of Ramat-Gan, members of the delegation held key meetings to plan future areas of cooperation between both cities. The visit included other attractions in Israel, including Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Haifa, Sea of Galilee and Jerusalem.
|
Friday, May 24, 2013
