Tu Bishvat 2025 marks the second Tu Bishvat since the outbreak of the Iron Swords War. The pain endured is immense: over 1,800 Israelis were killed, more than 22,700 injured, and 100 still held captive. Over 80 displaced communities are now striving to rebuild as they await the revival of Israel’s northern and southern districts.
In addition to the human toll, nature, too, has suffered. Fires and erosion have scarred our cherished landscapes, leaving behind blackened forests and barren land. During this war, over 23,000 hectares of open land were damaged, including 2,900 hectares of KKL-JNF forests destroyed by fire.
Yet, as Jews and Zionists, we recognize the power of hope. By planting, rebuilding, and restoring, we reclaim life itself. This Tu Bishvat, we focus on Planting Life, working to heal the war-torn landscapes of Be’eri Forest in the south and Biriya Forest in the north – two places that once teemed with life and now stand desolate.