The Atlantic pistacia is a major component of Israeli natural landscapes. It is one of the most drought-resistant of Israel’s native woodland trees. Atlantic pistacias grow in the eastern Upper Galilee, where many old, large trees can be found. They also grow in the desert, but mainly in soil pockets on large expanses of rock, where runoff accumulates, providing an excellent source of water for growth. Thanks to its status as a holy tree Atlantic pistacias have survived grazing and cutting for many years. They can attain great sizes, and some old trees have trunks with a diameter of 2 meters. Still the trees grow very slowly and it may take a tree 200 years to reach half this size.

The fruit of the Atlantic pistacia is used to produce oil for domestic use and for lighting. Its resin is used for producing turpentine and its wood for woodturning (giant wood screws of oil presses in the Golan are made from its wood). The tannins in its galls were used for tanning leather. The tree can serve as a rootstock for Pistacia vera (pistachio) which produces the familiar pistachio nuts.

The flowers of the Judas tree are rich in nectar that attracts many insects that serve as pollinators. The sweet flowers are used by the Arabs and Druze that live in northern Israel as a condiment. Additionally, many parts of the Judas tree are used in traditional medicine for treating various ailments such as eye inflammations, fungal infections and more.

On February 5th, a group of 15 people (representing 4 different Southern Ontario communities) boarded an El Al flight for precedent-setting mission to Israel. Not only were they treated to a totally awesome itinerary, they got to see and do things most visitors never do … like watching thousands of cranes at the Hula Nature Reserve, or picking carrots in the sand of the Western Negev, or meeting the Canadian Ambassador to Israel, Paul Hunt, or like being surrounded by about singing 75 Yeshiva students for Shabbat dinner or learning first-hand about what life is like on a kibbutz. But they also learned a great deal about Israel’s expertise in Forestry management from chief forester Kalil Adar and about Water management from one of KKL’s senior Water experts, Avri Kadmon and how fruit and vegetables are grown in the desert. The words of Cathy Basskin, a mission participant, summed up the 10 day visit this way, “It was a spectacular, insightful, educational adventure for all. Thank you for the many extras that you added.”

Almonds are high in fat, but in the form of monounsaturated fats, which have been associated with reduced risk of heart disease. They have been linked in scientific studies with reduction of cholesterol levels in humans.

The almond is mentioned in the Bible and Talmud. When Jacob sent a gift to Joseph in Egypt he told his sons: “If it be so now, do this: take of the choice fruits of the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spicery and ladanum, nuts, and almonds.” Genesis 43, 11. When G-d wanted to show that he had chosen Aaron and the tribe of Levi to fulfill the priestly duties in the Tabernacle, he had each of the tribes bring a staff to the Tabernacle: “And it shall come to pass, that the man whom I shall choose, his rod shall bud; and I will make to cease from Me the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against you.” Moses did as he was told and “… behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and put forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and bore ripe almonds” Numbers 17, 17-23.

Our connection to Tu Bi’Shevat will be through our “ADOPT AN ACACIA” program.  The Acacia Tree is indigenous to the Arava and while you will still find Acacia trees in the Arava and Negev, many more need to be present to restore the eco-system to its former glory.  This will allow many plant and animal species to survive and flourish in the harsh desert environment.

Tu Bi’Shevat for 2012 will feature a number of activities and we want to tell you all about them.

• If you’re a SNOWBIRD, hopefully you’ll have an opportunity to support this years’
  campaign.  We are sending out letters to all those who we know are going to be
  in warmer climates during February.  Please make every effort to support his really
  vital environment project.
• Once again, our callers will be on the phone starting in late January and through
  most of February calling people across the Province seeking support this exciting
  and vital tree planting program.  Whether the call comes from our offices in Israel
  or from a local volunteer, please make a generous contribution to our Adopt and
  Acacia initiative.
• See what we did for our fun family day . . . on January 22nd in the Windsor area click here
  on January 29th in the Hamilton area – click here and on February 12th in the London
  area click here.
• Our Day and Supplementary Schools will also be
  involved in our Adopt an Acacia.  As you can see,
  this program promises to be lots of fun for the
  schools.  The schools will all be given POSTERS
  of Acacia trees with branches only – they will
  collecting and paying $2 per leaf to put leaves
  on the trees.

Help us make this Tu Bi’Shevat really special – do your part and ‘ADOPT AN ACACIA’!

As we welcome 2012, Regional Ontario is going through a metamorphosis. Sonia Jacob, who has graced our offices for many years, has retired. She is leaving behind many friendships that she formed over the years and I will personally miss working with her. There is no question that Sonia could be relied on to make sure that things were not forgotten or missed. Her attention to detail was awesome! We wish her success and good fortune as she embarks on her next phase where we have it that she will be spending more time as a ‘safta’ in Ottawa. JNF Hamilton will continue to make use of her skills and talents periodically over the next while as she transitions into the next phase.

Lainie Tessier is taking over for Sonia. While she has ‘big shoes to fill’, she has taken to the job with a great deal of enthusiasm.  Lainie is very interested in the environment and was very excited about the prospect of working in an organization that focuses on the environment like the Jewish National Fund AND the fact that we are an Israel-based organization, made it even more attractive. Next time you call into the office, feel free to speak to Lainie and introduce yourself. lainie.tessier@jnf.ca

Suzy Polgar is beginning her role with JNF in charge of Programming and Outreach for Regional Ontario. She comes from the private sector where she was involved to a large extent in Customer Service.  That skill will serve her well in her new role. She also has taught at the supplementary school for a number of years, at Shaarei Beth El, Oakville’s congregation. Her new role will include working to complement the efforts of our National Education department and to develop programs and activities for our smaller communities. In addition, one of the most important aspects of her role will be to engage a whole generation of new supporters. So, if you have any ideas for programs or activities you would like to run in your community, please contact Suzy suzy.polgar@jnf.ca.

Our connection to Tu Bi’Shevat will be through our “ADOPT AN ACACIA” program. The Acacia Tree is indigenous to the Arava and while you will still find Acacia trees in the Arava and Negev, many more need to be present to restore the eco-system to its former glory. This will allow many plant and animal species to survive and flourish in the harsh desert environment.

Tu Bi’Shevat for 2012 will feature a number of activities and we want to tell you all about them.

Legend has it that three brothers from the Oak family fell in love with a beautiful girl called Ela (the Hebrew name for the terebinth). She invited the three brothers to a party where she would choose the brother to marry. Tabor Oak curled his hair and Boissier Oak shaved carefully. Only Palestine Oak stayed as he was, saying said that if Ela truly loved him she would love him as he was, and that is how he came to the party. Ela realized he was her true love and chose him, and they remain together to this day reigning over Israel’s native woodlands.

4.  For the Tu Bi’Shevat section, underneath the Remember to plant a tree!, when they click on the picture, it will link to a story which I will send you over the weekend.

He delivered his message with humour and very serious elements as well. He spoke to the imminent threat of Iran. He explained how Israelis felt about the return of Gilad Shalit and how it was one issue that united a large majority of Israelis – more than 70% supported his release. He talked of Netanyahu having the most difficult job in the world … trying to deal with the nuclear threat from Iran, the hostile neighbours of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah, trying to keep Israel out of the economic turmoil being experienced elsewhere around the world, trying to accommodate the various factions in his coalition government, and, ‘oh yes’ trying to make peace in the Middle East. He also spoke to his disappointment in Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority, indicating that he believed that Mr. Abbas is really not interested in negotiating a lasting Peace with Israel citing a number of examples of missed opportunities and the fact that Mr. Abbas is due to retire in several months after the supposed election in the Palestinian Territories. All presentations featured a talk by Gil followed by a lively Q&A.

A few weeks ago, a long-time JNF supporter took me aside at a meeting and said that his broker asked him if he was interested in donating shares and he was unaware of that whole idea. He asked if we were aware of this and I told him that a number of our supporters have elected to donate shares.

As a result, I asked Nathan Disenhouse, principal at Natel Management and Financial Services Limited and current president of JNF Toronto to explain the impact of donating shares. What follows are his comments.

DONATING SHARES INSTEAD OF CASH

Canada’s tax incentives for charitable donations are designed to make it easier for you to support your favourite charities. And a recent change in the May 2, 2006 federal budget further improved the tax benefits for donating shares and certain other assets. How you structure your charitable donations can be as important as the amounts you give, both to the charity and to the donation’s after-tax cost to you.

Background

Both during your lifetime and on your death, you can donate property to a charity as an alternative to cash. Such donations are called “gifts in kind” and can include property such as shares, artwork and real estate. Gifts in kind can also include more esoteric gifts like life insurance or a residual interest in real property.

Donating shares and mutual funds

As a result of the 2006 federal budget, individuals and corporations who donatesecurities listed on prescribed stock exchanges, mutual funds and segregated funds of life insurance companies to charities (other than private foundations) on or after May 2,2006, do not have to include any portion of the resulting capital gain in their income. Prior to that date, the donor had to include 25% of the resulting gain. Depending on your tax bracket, your gift will cost you considerably less or go a lot further.