Bunnell Church and Palm Coast Synagogue team to assure Israel’s Environment

When Reverend Gerald Campetella of Bunnell’s Apostolic Church of God called Rabbi Merrill Shapiro of Palm Coast to arrange a meeting, the synagogue leader was a bit unsure of the Pastor’s intent. When Campetella handed Shapiro a Jewish National Fund “Blue Box” full of coins, donations from members of the church and asked for seven more boxes, the Rabbi was a bit startled.

“Back in the 1980’s, my wife and I visited Israel expecting to find a desert, barren and arid, what the Bible calls a ‘wasteland.’” How surprised and delighted we were to find the hand of God and the People Israel, together, had created a garden, lush, green, beautiful and inviting. We so much wanted to be part of the effort.”

Campetella met Shapiro through the Flagler Area Ministerial Association and joined with Temple Beth Shalom to read the names of Holocaust Victims at a special commemoration in the synagogue sanctuary. It was there that the Pastor took a “Blue Box” and the members of The Apostolic Church of God, A United Pentecostal Church began to do their part in maintaining the garden Israel.

The donations of synagogue members and church members in Jewish National Fund contribution containers, known for more than a century as “Blue Boxes,” are being combined and sent to support the efforts of the Fund. JNF has planted more than 240 million trees since 1901 to protect the land, green the landscape and preserve vital ecosystems. Through the generosity of donors like those The Apostolic Church of God and Temple Beth Shalom, JNF continues this effort, planting seedlings, maintaining forest health, combating desertification, protecting watersheds and managing water flow.

Thanks to the dedication of leaders like Campatella, Israel is the only country in the world that entered the 21st century with a net gain in numbers of trees. JNF has planted over 240 million saplings, providing luscious belts of green covering more than 250,000 acres. JNF national forest development work balances population needs with limited forest 'supply.' While the forests of Israel belong to the people, JNF ensures their environmental soundness while promoting optimal use.

Many more such “Blue Boxes” are available through Temple Beth Shalom of Palm Coast free of charge. The synagogue is proud to be part of a community that values trees to the point that tree removal requires a city permit. “As trees are so important to us in Palm Coast, so they are equally important in Israel, a land neglected for more than 2000 years!”

“Blue Boxes” are available at no charge to anyone wishing to donate pocket change to the cause of the Jewish National Fund through Temple Beth Shalom and can be obtained by calling the synagogue office at 386-445-3006.