Back where I came from, the Jerusalem Hills, you never see olive trees in orderly rows.
They just grow scattered all over the terraced hills.
So when I saw these long rows in a wadi in my new home of Meitar in the Negev, I had to investigate.
Fortunately there were plaques.
So! It is the Olive Tree Park of Meitar, funded in 2009 by the Friends of the Keren Kayemet/Jewish National Fund in Germany.
They wrote WITH LOVE AND IN RECOGNITION OF ISRAEL'S PLANTING NEW COMMUNITIES IN THE NEGEV.
I still have to find the tower but meanwhile here is an article about it and its dedication.
The blessing on the sign is from the Torah, Numbers 6:24:
יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה, וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ
"The Lord bless you and keep you" (keep as in keep you safe, e.g. from forest fires!).
As a resident told the visiting Germans, "The Olive Tree Park creates a real bond between the people who live in Meitar and the people who feel connected to Israel in Germany."
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Nice... I have never seen an Olive tree before let alone so nicely planted as I see here. My heritage is German, so this is really neat. I like this, a very touching tribute.
ReplyDeleteShalom :-)
ReplyDeleteThe olive trees are beautiful, Dina. Looks like you have a lot of wonderful things in your new neighborhood. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteExploring your new neighborhood with you is very educational as well as interesting. This was a beautiful gift to your new community.
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting , I love the olives trees, do they harvest them so you can have fresh olive oil? Shabbat shalom Dina.
ReplyDeleteMJ, I wish I could mail you an olive branch so you could finally touch an olive tree.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cloudia, Sara, Kay!
Suzanne, we'll find out in a month or two . . .
Dina, your new neighborhood looks really pleasant and interesting. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou are intrepid, Dina. I love your investigations.
ReplyDeleteNot a big olive guy... but LOVE a good tree.
ReplyDeleteA nice surprise and some really useful things...
ReplyDelete彡♪♫°
ReplyDeletePassei para uma visita.
Belas fotos!!!
°º✿♫ Boa semana!
°º✿ Beijinhos
º° ✿ °❤ Brasil ♫° ·.
Interesting post, Dina. And a nice tribute from the Greman friends!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed read your post. such interesting post...
ReplyDeleteDear Dina, thanks for your kind words on my blog - it's good to be back :)
ReplyDeleteAnd welcome to your new town! Being Telavivian :) I of course had no idea where Meitar was, so I had to check the map... this seems like a big change from Jerusalem Hills, but also such a nice, close-knit community!..
I wish you a very calm and quick adaptation to your new home and neighborhood!
I love olive trees and olives. My smal one will die here in north... Nice post Dina.
ReplyDeleteWish you a happy week in the desert:-)