For the first time in Israeli history, three rare archival photos documenting Purim celebrations in the Land of Israel, then Mandate Palestine, during the 1920s have been revealed. The photos, belonging to the Jewish National Fund (JNF) photography archive, showcase magical moments of children and adults celebrating the holiday in the Land of Israel.

The photos were taken long before costumes became a thriving industry and at a time when thousands of people filled the streets. These three photos were taken by photographer Samuel Joseph Schweig, one of the most famous photographers of the Yishuv during the early Zionist settlement period in the Land of Israel.

In the first photo, taken in March 1928, a small boy is seen dressed as a sailor, wearing a uniform and hat. The boy dressed up as a Jewish National Fund ship – which symbolized the Jewish people reaching their safe shore. In another photo, a boy appears dressed as a citrus fruit tree, a distinct Israeli and Zionist symbol. His costume is made of leaves and branches, and he is adorned with real oranges.

In the third photo, taken in 1926, a boy and girl are documented in original costumes – the girl is "split" in half – with half of her body in black clothing and half in white, while the boy is dressed in a dress decorated with Jewish symbols, including Stars of David and Jewish National Fund collection boxes. This photo reflects the creativity and how national values were expressed among the young people of that period.

"These photos take us back to the days before store-bought costumes, retail chain promotions, and glittery makeup," notes Efrat Sinai, Director of Archives at JNF. "In those days, Purim was celebrated with joy and creativity, and city center streets were filled with children and adults in handmade costumes, with spontaneous parades and dances."

The nostalgic photos provide a glimpse into the spirit of the era – the bright faces of the celebrants, the lovingly sewn costumes, many of which expressed national and collective messages related to the renewed settlement in the Land of Israel. JNF documented these sights, and we are happy to share these treasures preserved in our photo collection with the wider public."

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The KKL-JNF unveiled this week photos of celebrations of the Shavuot festival in pre-state Israel under the British Mandate.

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During the Mandate era, Shavuot was celebrated with vibrant costumes, parades, and dancing in the streets of major cities such as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa. Starting in the 1920s, KKL-JNF, through the teachers' movement for KKL-JNF, imbued Shavuot with a new significance, symbolizing the return to the homeland and the deepening connection to the land of Israel.

The so-called "bikkurim" Shavuot ceremonies "were revived in cities and villages across the country. In Jerusalem, the bikkurim were brought to the KKL-JNF building, while Tel Aviv featured grand stages, and Haifa celebrated with vibrant parades and street performances," director of the archives, Efrat Sinai, said. "The KKL-JNF photo archive serves as a captivating testament to the Jewish people's presence in the Land of Israel in the early 20th century. As a tribute to Shavuot, we are delighted to unveil nostalgic photographs capturing the bikkurim celebrations in the major cities during the British Mandate."

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A five-year long-term agreement was signed between the state of Israel and the KKL-JNF concerning national projects like areas of settlement, peripheral development, and environmental projects.

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On Sunday, Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich and Chairwoman of the KKL-JNF Board of Directors Yifat Ovadia-Lusky signed the agreement at the Ministry of Finance headquarters. The ministry's CEO Shlomi Heizler, the head of the Budget Division, Yogev Gerdos, the ministry's ombudsman, Assi Messing, and Matan Yigal, the real estate coordinator, with KKL-JNF Co-Chairman Yitzhak Vaknin, CEO of KKL-JNF Amnon Ben Ami, legal advisor, Shimi Brown, and head of the company's finance division, Yuval Yeini, took part in the signing ceremony.

Starting from January 2023 until the end of December 2027, the KKL-JNF will spend NIS 6 billion, of which KKL-JNF will be entitled to claim up to NIS 1.2 billion in tax deductions. In the years 2023-24, KKL-JNF participation is expected to cost about NIS 2 billion per year. The money will be used for settlement development, land preparation, immigration absorption, reducing disparities in the periphery, cultivation of forests and parks, paving roads, and environmental projects.

Smotrich welcomed the agreement and said: "This achievement is credited to the citizens of Israel. This is a historic, important, and excellent agreement and I congratulate it. KKL-JNF is part of the national institutions that for years have been an integral part of the building of the country and its development. I thank the chairwoman and board of directors of the KKL-JNF for approving the agreement that will lead to the promotion of projects of national importance in the settlements, the periphery, and the surrounding area, and I am sure that it will greatly help the citizens of Israel."

Ovadia-Lusky also congratulated the agreement and said: "I am happy that within the framework of this agreement, KKL-JNF will continue to be a partner in the building and development of the State of Israel." The entire budget will be used for national projects that are at the core of KKL-JNF's activities and will continue to strengthen the country as we have done since the beginning of Zionism, as we are doing now, and as we will always continue to do."

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In honor of Rosh Rosh HaShanah La'Ilanot ("New Year of the Trees"), Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael – Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) Archive is revealing iconic photos of former Israel Defense Forces Chiefs of Staff planting trees throughout the forests of Israel. From the photo of Haim Laskov in the Asaf Simhoni forest from 1960, to the joint tree planted by Benny Gantz Gantz and Moshe Ya'alon – these are the Chiefs of Staff who took part in the Israeli tradition.

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Efrat Sinai, Director of the KKL-JNF Archives: "The various chiefs of staff, like many Israeli citizens, took part in the holiday tradition and planted a tree in Israel. The KKL-JNF photo archive is honored to share some iconic and rare photos of the former chiefs of staff in these festive, historical moments. Since its establishment more than 120 years ago, KKL-JNF photographers have accompanied the Jewish communities in Israel and abroad. The documentary treasures are kept in the KKL-JNF photo archive, and capture significant moments and events in the history of our nation."

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