Planting Hope Amid Tragedy

Stand for Israel  |  January 25, 2024

As the Jewish people honor Tu B’Shvat, or the New Year of the Trees, many are gathering in Israel at the site of the Nova massacre for a tree planting event with all the loved ones of those who were lost there on October 7, reports The Times of Israel:

It’s been over 100 days since the tragedy. We at KKL-JNF held an extensive tree-planting Tu B’shvat event at the site of the Nova festival in the Reim Picnic Area of Beeri Forest. We invited the families of the 364 partygoers who perished in the massacre, as well as the Nova survivors and their families.

Prior to the tragedy, this site, which is part of the Beeri forest, was a haven of inclusivity, a place free and open to those from all over Israel, brimming with life through its bike trails and protected natural spaces for leisure and enjoyment. This soulful event not only recognized lost lives; it positioned all of us, as Israelis, to reclaim this site of profound sorrow as one of hope and renewal. Yifat Ovadia-Losky, KKL-JNF’s Chairwoman, poignantly stated, “In the place where they were slaughtered, new life will be planted. Planting trees symbolizes resilience and a steadfast commitment to life, even in the darkest of times. It is an embodiment of the community’s determination to remember, heal, and rebuild, transforming a space marked by tragedy into one of growth and renewal.”