The photographs vividly portray children and young adults in festive attire, dancing and carrying traditional baskets filled with first fruits (bikkurim). In the Land of Israel, Shavuot took on renewed agricultural and symbolic meaning—celebrated in schools, kibbutzim, and cities as a reflection of national revival and a deep connection to the land.
Over time, a tradition emerged in which bikkurim were sold during ceremonies in schools and community events, with proceeds donated to KKL-JNF. The organization’s iconic blue collection box became a familiar sight at these gatherings, symbolizing a shared spirit of giving, cooperation, and commitment to land development. These newly released photographs capture not only the joyful spirit of the holiday, but also the pioneering values that helped shape Jewish life during that formative period.
Ifat Ovadia-Luski, Chairwoman of KKL-JNF: "These moving photographs from the KKL-JNF Archive are far more than historical documentation—they tell the story of the renewal of the Jewish people in their land. The Bikkurim celebrations captured here, from Haifa in the 1930s to the historic first fruits of the Negev in the 1950s, reflect the founding generation’s deep connection to the land and to tradition. These are powerful moments of pride and joy that illustrate how an ancient custom was revived and brought to life in the homeland. This continuity of the Zionist enterprise, from the early days of Zionism to the present, lies at the heart of our identity as a people."