Ein Hod Revitalised after the Fire

With thanks to the Israeli Foreign Office for the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RCIfUkBlmzo we can report that despite the 2010 Carmel fire that took its toll on the region, the Ein Hod oasis for artists is open and ready for visitors.

The 150 families who live in the Ein Hod artists colony in the Carmel Mountains are marking a year since the devastating Carmel Forest fire struck the whole region. But according to longtime Ein Hod resident and tour guide Dan Ben-Arye, the vibrant community of painters, sculptors, musicians, writers and stage performers is stronger than ever.

"Besides having 18 galleries and two museums, we have lots of workshops," says Ben-Arye. "You can come and work with the artists themselves, without any kind of background."

Since its establishment in 1953, Ein Hod has counted 10 Israel Prize winners among its ranks.

One year later, the Carmel is recovering

In early December 2010, the worst fire in Israel's history claimed the lives of 44 people, burned more than one third of the Carmel Forest - about five million pine, oak, cypress and pistachio trees and countless plants and creatures - and damaged thousands of homes. Firefighters from Israel and 18 countries finally put out the blaze, which displaced 17,000 people.

One year later, there are signs of life. Winter flowers are blooming in the charred areas, and new undergrowth is coloring the landscape green again as the trees slowly regenerate. The University of Haifa has given scholarships to 44 students in memory of each victim of the disaster, in return for a commitment to actively perpetuate his or her memory.

These small steps are significant. But the human and natural damage from the massive fire started by a couple of careless teens will be a long process.

For full report see http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/IsraelExperience/Mount_Carmel_recovering_fire-Jan_2012.htm

Getting Back to Normal

So the fire is finally out and life has to return to normal for those that were affected. The kibbutz of Bet Oren seemed to have an air of normality when we visited it this week, albeit we were there in the early evening and it seemed to be be just as it was before the fire. Of course there were homes that were damaged and those residents are now housed in the Kibbutz Guest House for the time being. However, the wedding hall was functioning as normal and the evening we attended was a great success.

On the other hand, not too far away is the artists village of Ein Hod, where damage was much more severe. The village suffered the largest amount of tourism damage of anyone in the vicinity of the fire. They are now using the oportunity to upgrade the tourist facilities in the village and hopefully to attract even more visitors than they have had in the past.

On a positive side the Guest House of Nir Etzion was untouched and once the fire was out, guests returned to this very popular location. The ever in demand Carmel Spa Hotel has had partial damage to its dining room but that is being dealt with and the reports now state that the hotel will be open for business as usual in early January.

The children's village of Yemin Orde is facing major rebuilding and I want to use this blog to thank everyone who responded to the cry for help in such a timely way.

The Aftermath of the BIG Fire

I have been told by a number of people that I have contact with around the world, that they are being bombarded with requests for donations following the fire in the Carmel Forest last week. They have then gone on to ask for my opinion on what I see as the immediate needs. Thus I sorry if I offend anyone if they see this as another way of fund raising, it is not the intention.

I have tried to be as objective as possible. Yes, the fire brigades need reforming and equipping for the 21st century, trees will need to be replanted but in our opinion, one of the most pressing needs is that of the Yemin Orde Youth Village which was founded in 1953 to accommodate Holocaust orphans and immigrant children during the great immigration waves of the fifties. Until last week, the village was home to 480 immigrant orphans ages 6 – 19 from around the world. The majority of the children are from Ethiopia, countries of the Former Soviet Union, and Brazil. For many of these children, Yemin Orde is their only home in Israel.

The village was severely damaged by a fire that raged in the Carmel Forest. The children and staff were safely evacuated to a sister village, accompanied by psychologists and social workers to help them work through their trauma. As the smoke cleared it became clear that village suffered widespread damage. Three children’s homes were burned to the ground as were 10 staff homes, offices and the library. Other buildings were damaged and the beautiful grounds were reduced to ashes. It is difficult to publish the tragic personal stories of the children and staff, many of whom are graduates of Yemin Orde and whose entire lives were destroyed when their homes burnt down in the Village.

Whilst the fire destroyed so much, the spirit of Yemin Orde is alive and the Village will return to be a safe home and warm environment for the children and graduates as soon as possible.

Our immediate friends in the area have already donated clothes in great quantities, however, if you are thinking of how to help, then details about the fire, an update of the recovery, and information about donating can be found on the website www.yeminorde.org

IN ISRAEL

Bank: Mizrahi Tefahot
Address: HaNeviim St. 26, Haifa, Israel
Branch #: 441
Account #: 120825
Name: Yemin Orde Children Village
Swift code: MIZBILITA

ENGLAND

Youth Aliyah Child Rescue,
Money needs to be earmarked for Yemin Orde

Bank: CAF BANK LTD
Address: 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling
Kent ME19 4JQ
Account: 00007864
Name: Youth Aliyah Child Rescue
Sort Code: 40-52-40
Charity No: 1077913

USA

CitiBank Wiring Instructions
Name: Friends of Yemin Orde, Inc.
Address: 4501 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite 813
Washington, DC 20008
Telephone of Account Holder: 202-237-0286
Bank: Citibank Federal Savings Bank
Account Number: 66730181
ABA or Routing Number: 254070116
Swift Code: CITIUS33 (or CITI US 33)

CANADA

Donations can be sent toUnited Jewish Welfare Fund
Address: 4600 Bathurst St. Toronto, ON M2R 3V2
(add a note that the funds are for Yemin Orde. )
They will process the funds and transfer all the gifts together through UIA in Israel.

AUSTRALIA –

Mr. Meir Buber
Executive Director
United Israel Appeal
PO Box 337
Caulfield
Victoria
Australia 3162
(Indicate that the funds are for Yemin Orde)