Ben Shemen Forest
The Ben Shemen Forest is named for the olive oil (“shemen”) production hub it was intended to become when KKL-JNF initially purchased the land. Due to constant challenges, though—a fire in the oil factory, a plague of locusts, World War I—most of the settlers abandoned the region until after the establishment of the State, when KKL-JNF helped build new settlements there. The name “Ben Shemen” remains as a reminder of the forest’s rich history.
KKL-JNF Projects
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Top-Notch Bike Trails in Ben Shemen Forest
The inauguration of KKL-JNF’s Ben Shemen Forest bike trails in 2011 was an exciting moment for Israel, as this Jerusalem Post article explains. The forest, initially purchased by the KKL-JNF
Special Needs Children Planting Israel’s Future
This clip (4:14) depicts a moving event hosted in the Ben Shemen Forest each year: a Tu Bishvat tree-planting celebration for Israeli children with special needs. This joint initiative between
Cyclists Ride the Ben Shemen Forest’s Blue Trail
Come along for the ride as the two cyclists in this clip (2:16) tackle the Ben Shemen Forest’s single-track Herzl Trail, also known as the “Blue Trail.” Located near Modi’in,