Cleanup Day in Israel
Australian and Canadian JNF contributors have funded International Cleanup day in Israel….with over a quarter of a million volunteers participating in the event.
This is the 11th time Cleanup Day has taken place in Israel and even rocket fire in the south did not completely dissuade volunteers from participating. But organisers cancelled activities in that area following the death of one Israeli as a result of rocket attacks.
The main ceremony took place at Mitzpe Modiin with Australia’s ambassador to Israel Andrea Faulkner joining Environment Minister Gilad Erdan and KKL-JNF World Chairman Efi Stenzler in the official activities.
Stenzler told those attending the Cleanup Day ceremony that volunteers had come from all sectors of the community…and all religions.
International Cleanup today has its roots in Australia where it first began operations in 1993. Ambassador Faulkner said: “It is our obligation to take care of what we have for the next generation. It is wonderful that the JNF leads this initiative in Israel and recruits so many people to take part in this important day.”
A delegation from JNF Australia arrived in Israel on the same day as Operation Cleanup. Led by Sydneysider Len Mahemoff went to the Ben Shemen Forest where the ceremony was taking place directly from the airport. Mahemoff said: “Today’s activities are all connected to JNF’s aims and we are proud to be participating.”
In a new initiative, the volunteers sorted the trash into several groupings for recycling. The used brown bags for paper, blue for plastics and green for organic waste. The colours of JNF’s logo which symbolise earth, trees and water.
204 regional councils were involved in Cleanup Day activities.