THE HEALING FOREST
MBKI is partnering with the Kiryat Arba/Hebron Municipality and the Alonei Mamre Girls elementary school to develop land behind the school and build a large pergola surrounded by a forest of shade trees, interconnected paths and hands on experiential learning ecological education stations. These stations will include a live fish pond, compost for the school’s student operated greenhouse, wind/solar energy and temperature station, spice and herb garden and a small animal farm to introduce the girls to animal science and husbandry.
The pergola will be utilized as an ecological education classroom and will be dedicated to the memory of 19 year old Sgt. Ron Kokia hy”d who was murdered in the city of Arad November 30, 2017.
Project Name: Healing Forest
Project Steering Team: Dov ben Zion Gelman, President My Brother’s Keeper International, Mrs. Yael Klein, Principal of Alonei Mamre Girl’s Elementary School, Dov Zwerling, Executive Committee Shomri Achienu Y’rushalyim, Avi Shushan, Director of Education Kiryat Arba/Hebron
Proposed Project Budget
Grading and soil preparation for construction: $6,000
Trees and paths: $4,000
20 Meter Pergola: $ 5,200
Educational learning stations: $6,000
Administration of project: $4,000
Estimated total: $25,200
Phase 1& 2 Land preparation, pergola construction and shade tree mini forest
PROJECT COMPLETED November 2019
19 year old Sgt. Ron Kokia hy”d Infantryman with the Nahal Brigade.
Preparing the ground 
Foundation of classroom pergola set
Dedication Day 24 September 2019 Ron’s Healing Forest Kiryat Arba/Hebron
Dedication day with the Kokia Family and the children and staff of Alonei Mamre Girls elementary school
Planting the first fruit trees of the healing forest