Kibbutz Beit Ha-Arava is located in the vicinity of Israel’s Dead Sea, not far from the town of Jericho. The Zichron Menachem children departed from our Day Center in Jerusalem in the early afternoon and traveled in the direction of the Dead Sea. At the kibbutz, tractors were waiting to give the kids a ride out to the hothouse area, where cherry tomatoes are grown under organic conditions.

Special containers were distributed to all the children and the National Service-Sherut Leumi volunteers, who supervised the kids at this outing. Slowly but surely the containers began to be filled with cherry tomatoes and to “turn red”. The children’s cheeks then turned a healthy shade of red. This was a great way for young patients to end the winter and start the spring. The children’s lips began to break out into wide smiles and then the entire group was smiling! A lot of laughter was heard throughout the hothouse and spirits were high.

Naturally, everyone wanted his or her picture taken with a handful of cherry tomatoes. Along each path in the hothouse the children were treated to drinks and treats. Everyone had a great time!

When nightfall came, tractors returned to pick up the kids and bring them back to the kibbutz. The kids were taken to the children’s animal petting corner in the kibbutz, where the kids were treated to a delicious picnic supper packed for them by Zichron Menachem.

At the end of the evening our very kind hosts - the Shalev family - treated everyone to cold dessert treats. Everybody was happy and smiling, and all went home feeling much joy and renewed strength.

Thank you again, to our wonderful friends and supporters – the Shalev family and Kibbutz Beit Ha-Arava – and to our volunteers who made this outing such a happy and refreshing experience.