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Green Journey – Cycling on the Trails of the Living

Green Journey – Cycling on the Trails of the Living

Teens on the March of the Living participated in Masa Yarok (Green Journey), an initiative of the KKL-JNF Education Division that had 800 teens cycling around Israel

Green Journey (Masa Yarok) 2016, a project initiated and led by the International Department of the KKL-JNF Education and Youth Division, concluded on May 13.

About 800 Jewish teens from all over the world, who were in Israel from Holocaust Remembrance Day until Israel Independence Day following their participation in The March of the Living in Poland, took part in the project -a bike-riding trip on KKL-JNF cycling trails.

Participation in The March of the Living and visiting Israel were made possible partly thanks to KKL-JNF and its strategic support for this important global project. The teens visiting Israel got to know the forests and historical sites of KKL-JNF and to personally experience the sharp transition from the Holocaust of the Jewish people to its revival in its historical homeland. The project emphasized the common destiny of the Jewish people – the past with its collective memories and experiences on the one hand, and on the other hand, the common future, including the continuous widening of the circle of Jewish life, while ensuring the autonomous and meaningful survival of the Jewish nation in the land of Israel.

The project was initiated and led by Ms. Hani Desa, the Director of the International Department of the KKL-JNF Education and Youth Division, who said, “This is the second year that we are successfully establishing the tradition of Green Journey, and I am pleased to be actualizing the great wish of the younger generation to connect to Israel through their feet. Green Journey provides moments of meaningful education, and everyone who is exposed to the project comes out excited and with a sense of pride: Am Yisrael Hai, the nation of Israel lives.”

The teens rode their bikes through Adulam France Park, Ben Shemen Forest, Yarkon Park and the Hula Lake Park. The trails were selected for especially exemplifying the repatriation and development of the land and the important contribution of Jewish communities throughout the world in the development of the State of Israel, its landscapes and its society, through KKL-JNF. Touring these sites by cycling also effected an informal and enjoyable educational experience that totally connected the participants to their Jewish identity, reinforced their connection to the State of Israel and inspired them to become more actively involved in their Jewish communities in their countries of origin.

The teens, some of whom were in Israel for the first time, found out about the role of KKL-JNF in building the Land of Israel and the State of Israel and enjoyed the landscapes and, of course, also the cycling itself. On the evening following Israel Independence Day, all the participants attended a gala performance in Latrun and a summarizing event of The March of the Living.

As described by Tali Merber from Los Angeles, who participated in Green Journey 2016, “When we were in Auschwitz, they also told us about the continuity of the Jewish people after the Holocaust, but with all the talk, coming here and seeing Israel and the parks full of people made it clear in the best way.”

View fabulous photos of Masa Yarok-Green Journey 2016!
green journey

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

The teens rode their bikes through Adulam France Park, Ben Shemen Forest, Yarkon Park and the Hula Lake Park. The trails were selected for especially exemplifying the repatriation and development of the land and the important contribution of Jewish communities throughout the world in the development of the State of Israel, its landscapes and its society, throu

Originally published HERE