Attention Snowbirds: Make Your Winter Plans Now: Volunteer in Israel

Contact: Hannah Schwartz • JNF Travel and Tours • 212-879-9305 ext. 254 • hschwartz@jnf.org

May 7, 2009 -- New York, NY -- Spring may be in the air but there’s no better time than now to register for a warm winter in Israel!

It’s not too early to sign up for the 2010 Canadian and American Active Retirees in Israel program (CAARI) in cooperation with Jewish National Fund (JNF) scheduled for January 10 - March 1, 2010.

Since 1983, 2,000 retirees (age 50 and over) from the U.S. and Canada have enjoyed the journey of a lifetime during the beautiful winter months in Israel. Partaking in community service, touring, lectures, and attending special events, participants choose the time frame of their stay in Israel—anywhere from 2-8 weeks. Participants tour historical and modern neighborhoods, visit museums and archeological sites, tutor children in English, volunteer in hospitals and soup kitchens, work in JNF forests, and more.

“We always see such interesting sites,” said Marcia and Ron Bercov of Edmonton, Canada. “We have been to Israel many times but CAARI always takes us to places we haven’t yet been and offers a fresh perspective on places we have been to before. We especially enjoy meeting with the people who live and work in the places we visit.”

Participants also gain a different sort of satisfaction by working the land. One day each week CAARI works with JNF foresters throughout Israel pruning, planting trees, and clearing brush and foliage.

Participants return with a greater knowledge of the land and a heightened awareness of Israelis’ perspective on life in Israel.

“The speakers forum gives us an excellent perspective of what is going on in Israel,” said one participant. “We are always impressed with the caliber of speakers, some of whom we see in the news. It is a wonderful addition to CAARI.”

The 2010 program will begin with visits to many Jerusalem sites, including Herodian, one of Herod’s palaces and one of the largest royal structures in the world; JNF’s American Independence Park; and the famous Sorek Caves. Four weeks in Tel Aviv filled with community service and celebrating Tel Aviv’s centennial will be followed by heading south for a visit to Be’er Sheva and the River Walk, and then to Mitzpe Ramon to hike the crater. Then, after a week in the Galilee visiting historic sites, nature reserves and viewing the famous blue irises in the Gilboa, the tour will end with a Purim celebration. Throughout the eight weeks, attention will be paid to JNF’s work in Israel, and participants will meet with community leaders, academics, and educators. 

“Even though Israel appears as a tiny speck on the map of the world, the beauty and the majesty of Eretz Israel--the fields, the orchards, the hills, the cities and the people--shine far brighter here than in any other place on this earth,” said one CAARI participant.. “I can't wait to return for another winter!"

To find out more about CAARI, visit http://www.caarivolunteers.com/ or call 877-JNF-TOUR.

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JEWISH NATIONAL FUND (JNF) began in 1901 as a dream and vision to reestablish a homeland in Israel for Jewish people everywhere. Jews the world over collected coins in iconic JNF Blue Boxes, purchasing land and planting trees until ultimately, their dream of a Jewish homeland was a reality. JNF gives all generations of Jews a unique voice in building a prosperous future for the land of Israel and its people.

JNF embodies both heart and action; our work is varied in scope but singular in benefit. We strive to bring an enhanced quality of life to all of Israel’s residents, and translate these advancements to the world beyond. JNF is greening the desert with millions of trees, building thousands of parks, creating new communities and cities for generations of Israelis to call home, bolstering Israel’s water supply, helping develop innovative arid-agriculture techniques, and educating both young and old about the founding and importance of Israel and Zionism.

JNF is a registered 501(c)(3) organization and United Nations NGO, which continuously earns top ratings from charity overseers.

For more information on JNF, call 888-JNF-0099 or visit www.jnf.org.