Celebrating Tu Bishvat: children of the Embrace Project plant trees
Posted February 13th, 2012
On the 6th February 2012, a Tu Bishvat activity for the Embrace Program for children at risk took place at the ITC – Kiryat Shmona. Counselors from the Limudei Sade Center (Center for the studies of fields and agriculture) attended, taught the children about the significance of the festival and all together they planted fruit trees in the Center’s gardens. The weather was amazing – when the children were planting the trees there was glorious sunshine and when they were finished it started to rain.
Manager of the ITC – Kiryat Shmona, Shaul Zohar: “For us it is very important that the Embrace Program is able to create a strong connection between the country and the children, so that they will become responsible citizens later on and even make a significant contribution in the Army. We used the occasion of Tu Bishvat to connect the children with nature, the earth and the importance of planting trees in Israel. The tree symbolizes growth, flowering and reaping the fruits, which is exactly what will happen to these children if the conditions are right. Planting a tree in Israel is part of Zionism and it was important to us to allow them to fulfill that mitzvah. I am not sure they would have done so had they not been in this program”.
The children listen to a lecture
The children plant trees for Tu Bishvat
About The Israel Tennis Centers Foundation (“ITC”):
The ITC is a non-profit organization (formerly known as The Israel Children’s Centers is a 501 (c)) that works to enhance the social, psychological and physical development of Israeli children through the medium of sport. We provide a healthy and structured environment for children from all walks of life, teaching values of cooperation, persistence and tolerance. Thirty-five years after the inauguration of the first Israel Tennis Center in Ramat Hasharon, the ITC has expanded throughout Israel and has nurtured and empowered more children and adults than the original founders could have ever dreamed. Currently one of the largest social-service agencies for children in Israel, the ITC operates 14 Centers throughout Israel’s periphery within socio-economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. The Centers are complete with cutting edge facilities and tennis courts that serve over 20,000 children. For additional background please visit: http://www.israeltenniscenters.org
