JNF Plants Thousands of Trees in Gilad Shalit's Honor

Contact: Ariel Vered • JNF Communications Manager • 212-879-9305 ext. 227 • avered@jnf.org

October 27, 2011 – New York, NY – Jewish National Fund (JNF) received an overwhelming response to its campaign to plant a free tree to celebrate Gilad Shalit’s long-awaited homecoming. Over 20,000 trees were ordered in honor of Gilad Shalit’s release.

“The overwhelming response we received from across the United States is a tribute to the value that we as a Jewish people place on the sanctity of life,” said JNF President Stanley Chesley. “At this time when our thoughts and prayers are with those whose sons and daughters can never be returned, JNF is proud to plant these trees in honor of an important moment for a soldier and fellow Jew, and for Israel."

The Shalit family will receive a plaque commemorating this important occasion. It will read "These trees have been lovingly dedicated by people across the U.S. in celebration of your homecoming. We hope your future is filled with mazal, good health and much happiness." They will also receive a copy of the personalized messages that JNF received, well wishes of good health, a life of freedom for Gilad, and the hope that peace will come to Israel.

 # # #

Jewish National Fund (JNF) began in 1901 collecting coins in blue boxes to purchase land and return the Jewish people to their homeland. In over 109 years, JNF has evolved into a global environmental leader and become the central address for partnering with the land and people of Israel. JNF has planted 250 million trees; built over 1,000 parks and recreational areas; constructed security roads; educated students around the world about Israel; created new communities so that Jews from around the world would have a place to call home; discovered new means of growing plants under arid conditions, bringing green to the desert; and built over 200 reservoirs and water recycling centers, increasing Israel’s water supply by 10%. Today, JNF is supporting Israel’s newest generation of pioneers by bringing life to the Negev Desert, Israel’s last frontier. 

A United Nations NGO, JNF sponsors international conferences on desertification, shares afforestation techniques, and funds research on arid land management. JNF is a registered 501(c)(3) organization and continuously earns top ratings from charity overseers. For more information on JNF, call 888-JNF-0099 or visit www.jnf.org.