The Nahal Gdora Urban Trail, in Kiryat Bialik in Israel’s north, was inaugurated in a ceremony attended by a delegation from Belgium on their visit to Israel. The urban trail, built with the support of KKL Belgium in memory of Esther and Hanania Benzenou, is almost a mile long and serves the people of Kiryat Bialik, who enjoy doing their walking, jogging and cycling on the lovely new trail or just going for a walk with the dog.
“My joy today is double”, says Jacky Benzenou, President of KKL Belgium and the son of Esther and Hanania, after whom the trail is named. “Whenever a new KKL Belgium project is inaugurated I feel a sense of accomplishment, and I’m thrilled to see how the urban trail contributes to the people of Kiryat Biaylik. And dedicating a project to my parents is especially moving”.
On one side of the trail there are green fields, and on the other, the town’s neighborhoods. In between it passes between parks and playgrounds. “Thousands of people benefit from it, especially in the early hours of the morning and the afternoon and evening hours”, says Eli Dukorski, Mayor of Kiryat Biyalik. “Children, adults and the elderly walk or cycle alongside nature, and it’s a marvelous thing to see”.
Dukorski said that the trail is part of a comprehensive national plan for a trail between Acre and the Krayot in Haifa. The municipality of Kiryat Bialik is just about to complete another 2.5-mile stretch, and will continue to pave the trail in the years to come.
The idea for the urban trail was initiated by Berthe Hendlisz, Vice President of KKL Belgium. She described her warm feelings for Esther and Hanania Benzenou and reminisced: “We would always sit and tell each other funny stories about life.”
Esther and Hanania Benzenou lived in Kiryat Bialik and are now buried in the cemetery there, which is a few hundred yards from the trail. “I’m thrilled to be here and am so happy that the trail serves the people of Kiryat Bialik”, said their daughter, Gracia Cohen. Her daughter lives near the park and often visits there with her children - Esther and Hanania’s great grandchildren - so this gift links four generation of one family.
“This project combines developing green lungs, river rehabilitation, providing quality of life and a culture of relaxation and recreation, which includes walking, cycling and being physically active”, stressed Dr. Omri Boneh, KKL-JNF Director of the Northern Region. “The trail passes through diverse landscapes and wildlife”.
The ceremony was moderated by Etty Lankry of the KKL-JNF European Desk in Israel. “I am certain that the children of Kiryat Bialik will continue to enjoy this urban trail for years to come”, she said. Schoolchildren from Kiryat Bialik also participated in the ceremony and sang a few songs.
Rabbi Albert Guigui, the Chief Rabbi of Belgium, accompanied the delegation. “They say that the world stands on three things – Torah, service of God, and acts of kindness. This trail represents these three values, which truly symbolize Judaism”, said the rabbi.
The Belgium delegation’s trip included visits to sites all over Israel, including: Jerusalem, Ammunition Hill (Givat HaTachmoshet), Ancient Katzrin Park in the Golan Heights, Tel Hai, Tiberias, Tel Megiddo, Burma Road and the Dead Sea. They ended their tour at Belgium Park in the Neve Ilan Forest.
“This trail is a source of pride for the family who donated it, and for the city”, the mayor said, in his warm parting speech from the members of the delegation. “Kiryat Biyalik is your home too, and we will always be happy to welcome you back”.
During the day, the members of the delegation planted trees at KKL-JNF’s Lavie Forest planting center. With great excitement, they covered the roots of the saplings with their hands, making sure that the young trees would deepen their roots in the Israeli soil and grow nice and tall.
The delegates were not the only Belgians planting trees in Lavi Forest that day. A visiting group of sixth graders from the Tachkemoni Elementary School in Antwerp also came to plant trees, a living proof that the deep bond to Israel continues with the next generation.
“It’s fun to plant trees in Israel”, said 12-year-old Nathan Majorovic. “Even when I’m no longer in Israel, my tree will still be here and continue to grow”. His classmate Olivia Zajfen commented: “The trees we planted connect us to Israel, and they also make it a greener place.”
Read this article in French