Kiev Park Gets 30 Apple Trees In Honor Of Tu B’Shvat

Despite the very cold weather, today, in honor of Tu Bshvat, more than 30 Apple trees were planted in the main park of Kiev (Mariinsky Park), next to the Ukrainian parliament.

The ceremony was initiated and lead by the Chief Rabbi and Head Shliach of Kiev, Rabbi Yonathan Markovitch and the Co- Chairman of the Ukrainian Israeli parliament, Mr. Alexander Kunitzk.

Alongside them were the Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine, Mr. Joel Lyon, the Honorary Consul of Israel in Ukraine, Mr. Oleg Vishniakov, parliament members, embassies representatives and members of the Jewish community.

The local press and television channels filmed this special event and passed it on to millions of viewers

Rabbi Markovitch spoke about the Rebbe’s explanation of the saying “man is a tree of the field” and different lessons we can learn from the tree. We need to make sure our roots remain firm and at the same time always reach for higher. Like the tree, we must make sure to nourish and reach out to the other, share the gifts we were given.