WATCH: Tu Bishvat 2025: How Israel's New Year for Trees brings hope for restoration

Explore the deep connection between Tu Bishvat and Israel's environmental restoration efforts in this special feature. Join Kayla Sprague as she examines how this traditional holiday intersects with modern conservation challenges and KKL-JNF's vital work in rehabilitating Israel's damaged forests.

Click on the video above to watch or read the transcript below.

Shalom, I'm Kayla Sprague, and welcome to this special ALL ISRAEL Feature.

Today, we're exploring Tu Bishvat, the New Year for Trees, which carries profound significance this year as Israel faces one of its greatest ecological challenges in recent history.

The holiday of Tu Bishvat, which begins at sunset on February 12th, was established by Jewish sages to mark the beginning of the agricultural cycle for biblical tithes. Over centuries, it has evolved into a meaningful celebration of nature and environmental stewardship in modern Israel.

This year, Tu Bishvat comes at a crucial time as Israel faces the challenge of rehabilitating vast areas of forestland damaged during the ongoing conflict. Approximately 230,000 dunams - that's about 57,000 acres - of green land have been devastated in the north alone, including 25,000 dunams managed by Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund, or KKL-JNF. This organization, established in 1901, has been instrumental in Israel's forestation efforts, having planted over 240 million trees and developed over 400,000 acres of land throughout Israel's history.

The Israeli government has approved an unprecedented 15 billion shekel plan for the rehabilitation and development of northern Israel. KKL-JNF experts estimate it could take between 5 to 7 years to restore these forests, with some areas requiring up to 40 years for full recovery.

Yet, amidst these challenges, we're witnessing remarkable determination. KKL-JNF is implementing a comprehensive restoration strategy, focusing first on natural regeneration where possible, and then supplementing with new plantings where needed. They're carefully mapping damaged areas, removing hazardous trees, and dealing with the complex challenge of unexploded ordnance.

There are already signs of hope. The recent reopening of the Hula Nature Reserve, crucial for bird migration, symbolizes nature's resilience and our commitment to restoration. This Tu Bishvat, while different from previous years, may be one of the most meaningful in Israel's recent history.

The holiday's traditional customs - planting trees and eating fruits of the land - take on deeper significance this year. Schools across the country use this day to educate children about environmental conservation and our responsibility to nurture, protect and appreciate nature.

And while Tu Bishvat was established by our sages rather than in biblical times, we as believers can find deep meaning in this celebration of the land's abundance. After all, when God promised this land to His children, He specifically highlighted its agricultural richness.

As written in Deuteronomy 8:7-8: "For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey."

For ALL ISRAEL NEWS, I'm Kayla Sprague. To learn more about Israel's ecological rehabilitation efforts and other Israel-related content, please subscribe to this channel and follow us on allisrael.com.