The carob tree—one of the most familiar and beloved trees with which the land of Israel has been blessed—deserves its own festival, too, and indeed, on September 28, in Tel Hadid in Ben Shemen Forest, KKL-JNF organized a special event in honor of the sweet fruit, attended by hundreds of people from nearby communities and v
isitors from around the country. The festival was organized by KKL-JNF Coastal Region Community and Forest personnel and the KKL-JNF Events Department.
That afternoon, the carob tree area in the forest was filled with the sounds of laughter and happy children of all ages. They came to hear legends and stories about the carob tree, to pick the fruit, to watch performances, to do arts and crafts with pine cones,
and to taste foods made with carob. It was not by chance that the festival was named 'Falling in Love with Carobs'.
Participants learned about the forest and the region, heard about the contribution of trees to humankind and the environment, learned about forest fire prevention and the uses of the carob fruit, and met with costumed characters from the past.
The experience of learning through games, quizzes and activities under the shade of the carob trees was nothing like classes at school. As Eyal Zehavi, a six-year-old from Raanana, described it, “The different stations were interesting and fun, and we learned a lot of new things. I like going to school, but this is a more special way to learn things.”
For further information, comments or permission please contact
Ahuva Bar-Lev
KKL-JNF – Information and Publications
Phone: 972-2-6583354 Fax:972-2-6583493