Jewish National Fund Director of Major Gifts Ella Newman presented a plaque to Newtown Board of Education representatives John Vouros and William Hart during family services at Congregation Adath Israel on April 5.

The plaque announced the establishment of The Sandy Hook Elementary School Memorial Woodland on behalf of the 26 victims of 12/14, as a permanent recognition in Israel.

Congregation Adath Israel President Andrew Paley and Rabbi Shaul Praver introduced the presentation. Ms Newman explained that in the wake of the horror endured on 12/14, Jewish National Fund donors and friends Faye and Paul Jeser of Los Angeles wanted to do something to let the people of Newtown know they were in their hearts and their prayers.

The Jesers created a Jewish National Fund tribute page, raising thousands of dollars from people across the country to plant a grove of 2,200 trees in Israel in memory of the 26 souls lost, she said.

More than 240 million trees have been planted across the land of Israel over the past 111 years, many in memoriam, according to Ms Newman.

At the school board’s meeting on Tuesday, April 9, Mr Hart shared the news of the plaque.

“It’s a wonderful gesture,” said Mr Hart. “Trees, especially in Israel, are a big symbol representing life and renewal. So it’s a very traditional thing to do there, a wonderfully thoughtful thing. So we will find a place for this plaque.”