Planting a Tree in Israel in Memory of a Parent or Grandparent

Choose In Memory Of, write their name and Hebrew name, and add one line in your own words, such as "For Mom, who taught us to plant". The certificate adds ז״ל after the name and is emailed within minutes. One tree is $18; families often plant one each year on the yahrzeit.

Writing their name

Use the name everyone knew, then the Hebrew name with a parent's name: *ben* (son of) or *bat* (daughter of), for example *Chaya bat Moshe*. Memorial certificates add ז״ל, "of blessed memory", after the name for you.

A line from the family

*For Mom, who taught us to plant.*
*Dad loved this land. Now a part of him grows in it.*
*For Bubbie and Zaidie, whose roots hold us still.*
*May her memory be a blessing.*

Sign it the way the family signs: *Your children and grandchildren*. More wording in what to write on a tree certificate.

When families plant

During the shiva, when friends ask what they can do.
At the end of shloshim, or the first year for a parent.
Each yahrzeit, so a small grove grows over the years. See a tree for a yahrzeit, shloshim or unveiling.

From several siblings

One person orders and signs from everyone. Families often choose a grove of several trees, signed from everyone.

Trees are planted by our planting partner, the Jewish National Fund.

Plant a tree in their memory →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I plant a tree in Israel in memory of my mother or father?

Yes. Choose In Memory Of, add their name and Hebrew name, and the certificate is emailed within minutes. One tree is $18.

How do I write my parent's Hebrew name?

Their Hebrew name with their own parent's name, ben (son of) or bat (daughter of), for example Chaya bat Moshe.

Can several siblings give one tree together?

Yes. One person orders and signs the message from everyone, for example "Your children and grandchildren".

Is it customary to plant a tree every yahrzeit?

Many families do, so that a small grove grows in the person's memory over the years.

Reviewed with guidance from Jewish mourning traditions across Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform practices.

Sending something to the family?

Kosher shiva gift baskets, plus trees planted in Israel — delivered nationwide with free shipping.

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