[IMC-Editorial] Trees for nearly 50% off

Tue Jun 8 07:50:59 PDT 2004

Dear
Friend,

I am pleased to update you on Jewish National Fund's activities in
Israel and the U.S. You can now visit the homepage on JNF's website to
get the the most up-to-date news on Israel on our news ticker. I hope
you enjoy this month's B'Yachad (Together) e-newsletter.
 http://www.jnf.org/site/R?i=cpf_Pj4YGdEwZEjvEDSKzw..

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In This Edition:

  *  Water in Crisis Mode
  *  Shavuot in JNF Forests: Over 300,000 Visitors
  *  JNF Trips to Israel
  *  Trees for nearly 50% off!
  *  Win a Trip to Israel

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WATER CRISIS UPDATE
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A RISING KINNERET DOES NOT ALONE SOLVE ISRAEL'S WATER SHORTAGE

Seeing the waves lapping against the shores of Lake Kinneret that just
over a year ago were mud flats is good for the soul as well as for the
nation's fresh water resources.

Given the positive state of the lake and sight of the gushing streams
in the Golan Heights and in the Galilee, as well as the Jordan River
and its tributaries, it may seem incongruous that hydrologists remain
adamant that the water crisis is far from over. According to experts,
there is still a mutli billion gallon deficit of fresh water, and even
several consecutive years of above-average rainfall would be
insufficient to bridge the gap. The problem is two-fold; the semi-arid
climate and the fact that demand has long since outstripped average
annual recharge of the Kinneret and the other two main fresh water
storage resources, the Coastal and Mountain Aquifers.

The situation is particularly acute in the aquifers, especially in the
central and southern sections of the giant, underground reservoirs
that after years of over-pumping are badly depleted. "Even if the
Kinneret and the aquifers were full to the brim, we would still need
to save water and build desalination plants in order to meet demand,"
says Water Commissioners' Office (WCO) spokesman Uri Schor. In the
case of dry winters, it does not even reach half of what is required
hence the deficit. In addition, under the terms of treaties, Israel
supplies some 1 billion gallons a year to the Palestinians and around
1.5 billion gallons to Jordan.

The need to create additional water sources for purely local
consumption can be seen from figures drawn up by the WCO about
freshwater requirements for the future simply because of population
growth. Some 2 trillion gallons will be needed by the year 2020. This
forecast forced the government to approve a series of major sea-water
desalination projects. However, even when all the plants will be fully
operational, Schor maintains that it will still be necessary to
conserve water: "Creating new water sources is an expensive business,
while rainfall is free, and this precious resource should be preserved
for proper use," says Schor.

As it is still crucial to continue to conserve water, the reservoirs
that JNF has built make all the difference. Here are photos showing
some of the reservoirs - now full after the winter of 2003-4.

Click here to donate to help JNF battle the Water crisis.
 http://www.jnf.org/site/R?i=UCcwjkVXSNswZEjvEDSKzw..

SHAVUOT IN JNF FORESTS BRING IN OVER 300,000 VISITORS
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Over 300,000 people spent the Shavuot holiday in JNF forests and
parks. Some of the favorite spots included the Misgav and Gilboa
forests in the north, Ayalon-Canada Park and Haruvit Forest in the
central region, and Golda Park and Eshkol Park in the south. All these
sites were created with the help of JNF friends worldwide, whose ties
with Israel and its people are powerfully expressed at such times when
the sites they helped to create come alive with thousands of visitors.

Many of the visitors to the forests participated in hikes and various
events organized by JNF. These included: The "Milk and Honey"
Festival, which featured ecologically-oriented tours on new forest
roads recently built by JNF in Alonie Hagalil Forest. A visit to the
Sheikh Abrak hills in the footsteps of Alexander Zeid. A visit to the
fields of the valley in the footsteps of Hankin and Israel's early
settlers and watchmen; a tour to the Gilboa Forests in the footsteps
of biblical figures like Gideon, Deborah, Barak, Saul and Jonathan;
and a hike along the railroad tracks of the famous Valley Train.

Another festival also featuring JNF events was the "Days of Nature and
Music" Festival that took place at Misgav in the north. In this event,
JNF sponsored walks to Tel Yodfat, the nearby Alonim forests, the
Sculpture Park in Kochav, Nahal Tzalmon and the new scenic promenade
in Shachniya Forest. At Hula Lake Park there was an exhibit that
presented the latest developments in the field of agricultural
research and development.

JNF TRIPS
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Below are the dates for upcoming JNF B'Yachad Missions to Israel. For
pricing and itinerary information, please call JNF Travel and Tours at
(877) JNF-TOUR (563-8687).

August 17-25.
 http://www.jnf.org/site/R?i=2MbpnDVxIpwwZEjvEDSKzw..

Shalom,
Ronald Lauder

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Trees for nearly 50% off! Click here
 http://www.jnf.org/site/R?i=NEe2qNcmL78wZEjvEDSKzw..

Click here to win a Free Trip to Israel
 http://www.jnf.org/site/R?i=oteOHPX-iokwZEjvEDSKzw..

Click here to designate your donation to any of JNF's action areas.
 http://www.jnf.org/site/R?i=aWj-GL0KNj0wZEjvEDSKzw..

Click here to visit the JNF Store where you can purchase Tree
Certificates, Water Greeting Cards, Bar and Bat Mitzvah Invitations
and Water Certificates.
 http://www.jnf.org/site/R?i=L80lehB04TUwZEjvEDSKzw..

To receive e-mails on JNF's special promotions, trips and Israel
updates click here to register.
 http://www.jnf.org/site/R?i=J3ni87JMMJUwZEjvEDSKzw..

Click here to donate your books to Israeli children.
 http://www.jnf.org/site/R?i=dMSLAKlWZ0wwZEjvEDSKzw..

Click here to send this email to a friend.
 http://www.jnf.org/site/R?i=8TA8wSGitUIwZEjvEDSKzw..

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