A Message from Milton S. Shapiro, President's Column by Neal F. Zalenko INF National President T u B'Shevat, the Jewish New Year of the Trees, offers us an oppor- tunity to look back at all that we have accomplished by planting trees in Israel. Israel's forests, planted by the Jewish National Fund, have been a major factor in Israel's transformation over the course of a century. Consider the fact that Israel, a for- merly barren land, is the only country whose forests, in- stead of desert lands, are increasing. Israel is also the only country that will have more trees at the end of the century than it had at the beginning. Israel's trees greatly benefit every Israeli, in every sec- tion of Israel. In the cities, JNF parks and playgrounds are a vital resource to families living in crowded urban areas. In the desert agricultural communities, trees raise the un- derground water table, restore humidity and decrease dust. Trees also stop soil erosion and reduce noise and air pollution. While we enjoy looking back at our accomplishments, Tu B'Shevat should also inspire us to move forward. Cer- tainly JNF's completion of the Jerusalem Green Belt de- serves the wholehearted support of the Jewish community. Jerusalem, the city that we yearned for over genera- tions, is the capital of the entire Jewish people. During the Jerusalem 3000 celebrations, let us strengthen and beauti- fy the city through supporting JNF's efforts to complete the Jerusalem Green Belt of 1.5 million trees. Let us seize this historic moment and tell the world how unshakable our bond with Jerusalem is. Flora S. Hoffman Establishes Annuity One of the ardent supporters of Jewish National Fund, Flora S. Hoffman, recently invested a con- siderable amount of money in an "Ln Agreement, one ofJNF's an- nuities. Previously, Mrs. Hoffman established: A Dunam at Neve Ur Reservoir; a Guardianship at Beit Bluma School in Petach Tikvah; 3 Homesites in Be'er Sheva; a For- est of 10,000 Trees in the Ameri- can Independence Park; and generous donations toward a Fire Engine Project, Emergency Fire Campaign and many other cam- paigns, all in memory of her beloved parents, Bessie and Mey- er Beckman and her beloved daughter, Myra Jacqueline Hoff- man. "What a wonderful way to per- sonally benefit from an investment with the knowledge that eventu- ally my investment will be turned over to such a worthy cause as the JNF," remarked Mrs. Hoffman. The Officers and Board of Di- rectors of JNF extend to Flora their best wishes for continued good health and happiness. 4. Jerusalem 3000 TI - IF n un ni T . I FWI SH N FW S At the invitation of Jerusalem city officials, JNF will ... ....build Gan Yaldei Yisrael, a unique children's garden with eight milestones highlighting significant periods in Jerusalem's history. *...complete the magnificent Green Belt of trees that en- circles Jerusalem, symbolizing the fact that Jerusalem is and always will be the unified capital of Israel. *...restore the Jerusalem Corridor forests destroyed in the July 2 fire, the worst in Israel's history, which destroyed two million trees, devastated nearly 5,000 acres of land, and caused at least $20 million in damage. *...develop the KKL Park and Events Center in the Judean Hills for Jerusalem's inhabitants. 11 of realize that we need to devote much more effort to making sure Ath at the generations to come will have a strong Jewish future and a strong Jewish heritage. It is wonderful to be involved with a great Jewish organization that is doing so much to ensure both of these strengths. Last summer, the hills leading into Jerusalem, once filled with life, were filled with blackness and death. The fire robbed Israel of homes, wildlife, two million trees, and . much more. The 6,000 acres which burned represent the dreams and visions of a new life carved out of a harsh land by the sweat, tears and toil of thousands of Israelis. The re- sponse of the Detroit Jewish community to this fire emer- gency was inspirational and demonstrates to our brethren in Israel that we are all one. On Monday, February 5th, we will be celebrating Tu B'Shevat, the new year of trees. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis will be planting trees on this special day. Why not be part of this holiday by ordering a Tu B'Shevat tree in honor of a loved one. Call our office at 810-557-6644. The JNF is currently taking an active role in a most excit- ing period of time in Israel, the 3000th anniversary of the city of Jerusalem! JNF has committed to three major pro- jects: building a major park and events center for the city; a large children's park called Gan Yaldei Yisrael; and, the completion of the "Green Bet" of trees around Jerusalem. I urge you to visit Israel during the next eighteen months. This is truly a historic time to be in our homeland. Join our brethren to celebrate the 3000th birthday of our true united capital - Jerusalem! Garden Donors Enrolled As Of January 18, 1996: We acknowledge with sincere appreciation the following garden donors who enrolled in the Michi- gan Garden Club as ofJanuary 18, 1996: JACOB KELLMAN; EL- EANOR & LOU HEYMAN, SANDY& RAYSTOI J FR; FLO MARS; SHIRLEY & ART POL- LACK; ESTELLE & HARVEY COLE; DEE & HOWARD FIN- SILVER; HELEN PERSHIN; Ii FNE & SAM BABCOCK; GER- RIE Sc HERM BENNETT; RICHARD ROSENHAUS; MAR- VIN BLAKE; DAVID & ANN ROSENBERG, BARRY, STEVAN & ROCHELLE; LARRYD. KAUF- MAN; ESTHER & RONNIE MI- LAN; PARENTS OF MARA ELAINE TOBIN; THE HOLLI- DAY FAMILY; SIMON & ES- THER TABACHNIK; ROSE PAULL; FAMILY& FRIENDS OF MURRAY LIBERMAN. r. Golden Book Subscribers As Of January 18, 1996: Golden Book subscribers help the JNF continue land reclama- tion in Israel. We salute the fol- lowing contributors of Golden Books as ofJanuary 18, 1996: RHODA & JACKADELMAN; ELAINE & HAROLD EDEL- SON; JANICE & ROBERT MANN; NANCY& MARTIN MY- ERS; DOREEN & DAVID B. HERMELIN; LOUIS MIL- GROM; LILLIAN & JACK W. & PERLMAN; MYRON JACQUELINE MILGROM; MR. & MRS. MARVIN HEIDENRE- ICH & FAMILY; ESTHER & RONNIE MILAN; THE RADER FAMILY; LINDA & MARTY WEISSMAN; ERWIN & SYLVIA HARVITH. "Of Blessed Memory" We mourn the loss of: ROBERT S. AMBERG, MORRIS D. BAKER, DAVID MICHAEL BERNSTEIN, MARJORIE BO- RAKS, GEORGE BRODYJER- RY S. COHEN, SARA AXELROD CRAWSHAW, EVE- LYN DWORKIN, HENRYFEIN- STEIN, EDWARD L FINE, LOIS GORDON, JOSEPH LEVINE, BEATRICE LEVINSOHN, SID- NEY LIEBERMAN, LILLIAN MARKOWITZ, DOROTHY MOSS, LOUIS PEARLMAN, IRVING RICHTER, MAURICE ROSEN, JANET SLATKIN, DENNIS SOLOMON, MEIER TREITMAN, WILLIAM VALEN- SKY, VIVIAN WENST, IRV- ING WOLFE, THEODORE ZACK.