Ambassador and Ms Julie Fisher celebrated the eve of Tu b'shvat, Israel's Arbor day, with a visit to Yemin Orde Youth Village, located in Nof HaCarmel, on the Carmel mountain range and near the Carmel Forest) to plant an olive tree as a symbol of renewal and growth and America's deep-rooted friendship with Israel. The visit took place shortly after the one year anniversary of the Carmel Forest Fire, December 2010, that nearly destroyed this Youth-at-Risk village. The Ambassador was given the background to Yemin Orde, by Dr. Chaim Peri, the visionary behind this unique village. He also met with Dr. Benny Fisher, the director, staff and students and toured the village's synagogue, Graduates' Home, Ethiopian Godjo (traditional hut), and high school.

Following the tree-planting ceremony, Ambassador Shapiro and Ms. Julie Fisher then toured the Carmel Forest area, accompanied by senior staff of the JNF-KKL, along with Tom Tidwell, Chief, U.S. Forest Service. They were shown the extent of the damage caused by the December 2010 forest fire. They were also shown the ongoing restoration work taking place. They were taken to the new memorial monument, recently unveiled, that commemorates the 42 people killed in the fire. There, both Ambassador Shapiro and Chief Tidwell laid a wreath and stood for a moment of reflection.

Watch the video at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rhmpasJGEg&list=UUhu9tJ-ESvk...

Photo Credit: Matty Stern/U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv