Soaring 18 meters, 'tree of life' to be dedicated in Ma'ale Adumim

(JNS Wire) - On Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. at the beautiful, lakeside Shamir Park located in Ma'ale Adumim, a growing city outside of nearby Jerusalem, the district's newest tourist and interpretive cultural attraction, the "Tree of Life," will be dedicated by Mayor Benny Kashriel. The public is invited to attend the ceremony and share in the programmed events and experiences.

The enormous sculpted knurled olive tree is modeled on a 500-year-old olive tree trunk retrieved near the Garden of Gethsemane. The Tree of Life was created by famed Jerusalem sculptor Sam Philipe. The olive tree sculpture, the largest of its kind in the world, soars over 18 meters in height. From its highest limb a dove, the dove of peace, is perched.

The tree is an interpretation of Proverbs 3:18, "It is a tree of life and those who support it are blessed." The tree is a sacred, universal symbol of life. Trees are enduring, eternal. A tree's branches spread lovingly over all creation. They spread from one individual to another, from generation to generation, growing from strength to strength.

The Tree of Life sculpture is the biggest in the world. It soars over 18 meters in height. From its highest limb a dove, the dove of peace, is perched.

The tree is designed as a gentle walk into history and Jewish experience, Inside are representations of the Ark of the Covenant, the Temple Menorah, the Dead Sea Scrolls with coinage and pottery from the Bar Kochba Revolt and more.  Outside, guarding the tree, is a favorite sculpted theme of Philipe's, the Lion of Judah.

Sam Philipe is a fifth-generation Jerusalemite. His artistic accomplishments can be found from the far North of Israel to the South and in three continents. Sam's work has been received with appreciation and respect by presidents and the pope.

The tree is donated by Judy and Jerry Klinger of the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation and Karen Fulte in honor of Bishop Fulton Sheen with support from the Pave the Way Foundation. The Tree of Life was made possible because of the foresighted patronage of Ma'ale Adumim's Mayor, Benny Kashriel, and the citizens of Ma'ale Adumim.

For additional information please contact: Netuel Shelvinger, 054-3316613 in Ma'ale Adumim.