The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Brenda Cox
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
FOREST OF THE MARTYRS
Avraham set the seedling in the hole he had dug. “Blessed are You, Master of the Universe, Creator of life. May the memories of my Sarah and our little Isaac be blessed.”
Hannah helped Avraham cover the tender roots with sandy soil. “May the memory of my Shmuel also be blessed.”
Under Israel’s hot summer sun many others had come to plant. Their goal was to raise six million trees, one for each life taken.”
Avraham placed his hand on Hannah’s belly and smiled through his tears when their unborn child kicked. “By their deaths, they commanded us to live.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
A felled forest rises again. Nicely done, Rochelle
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Thank you, Neil. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The horror-stories of World War still make us sad.
Glad that they decided to respect all the lost souls this way…
Now there’s so much greenery.
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Dear Anita,
It is a great way to remember, isn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful last line, Rochelle. Indeed they did.
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Thank you for reading and commenting so kindly, Sandra.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Beautifully done, my friend. I agree with Sandra, that last line is wonderful.
Shalom and lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I wish I could say the line was original with me. But it’s all in knowing how to use what we read, right? Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa hugs,
Rochelle
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It’s all about knowing how and when to use it!
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It makes me happy to be understood. ❤
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Great story. I’m with Sandra and Dale, it is a wonderful last line.
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Thank you, Trent. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A forest is more meaningful than a manmade monument. May the trees grow big and strong.
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Amen, Tanille. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a way to remember and also help the environment to relive and survive as well. Good story.
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Dear Jan,
You can’t beat those Israelis for ingenuity. 😉 Thanks, m’luv.
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A poignant and tender tale Rochelle. Thank you for sharing it with us.
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Dear Keith,
It was one of those stories begging to be shared. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Most definitely a beautiful tribute to the lives cut far too short. As our world reopens, I think we need to do something in honor of the untold numbers who have died from covid. If everyone planted a tree for even just one loss…. just think of how beautiful our world could be again. I wish I owned land where I could plant an entire forest….
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Dear Bear,
I do believe you’re onto something. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a fitting memorial, and how well you capture the emotions it brings.
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Thank you for your thoughtful and generous comments, Penny.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautifully written, Rochelle. I imagine those trees have grown strong now. May the story of their planting never be forgotten!
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Dear Josh,
The oldest trees have had 70 years to grow. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a beautiful and hopeful story. We need, everyone to plant trees like this.
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Dear Mason,
Since I can remember Israel has planted trees as a memorial. At Yad V’shem, the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem, there’s a row of trees planted in honor of the righteous gentiles. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s so lovely they did that. Every country should follow suit and plant trees in honour too.
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I love this. I’d heard of it, but your story makes it come to life in a very personal way.
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Thank you for your kind words, Linda.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, this story touches my heart. Bless them for planting a forest to help remember and to help heal. It must be a holy place to walk through.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Dear Lisa,
I can imagine. I’ve been to the Land twice but never to that forest. thank you for your encouraging comments as always.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are very welcome and I hope some day you can see the forest and share the experience with us.
Shalom,
Lisa
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What a beautiful story, Rochelle. Nothing can make up for a life lost, but it doesn’t get much better than a memorial that improves the health of our planet.
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Thank you for such a sweet comment, Nobbin. I agree about a memorial that adds health to the planet.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your story gave me the goosebumps (in a good way). The planting of six millions trees is an incredible way to remember those who were lost and a reminder, as Avraham said, “By their deaths, they commanded us to live.” Excellent!
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Dear Brenda,
Your goosebumps are high praise. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Love this story. Strong ending, but the scene itself and the lives alluded to build up to that hopeful finish. That life can blossom in spite of our savagery, this is surely due to the Master of the Universe, Creator of life. Blessed is His Name.
Shalom,
dora
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Dear Dora,
Thank you so much for such affirming comments. Amen and amen.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Profoundly moving story, Rochelle. ‘By their deaths they commanded us to live.’ Wonderful.
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Thank you for your lovely comments and compliments, Jenne. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It sounds familiar, but I didn’t realize it was six million (which makes sense, of course). Where are these trees? In Israel?
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Yes, Genia, the Martyrs Forest is west of Jerusalem in Israel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
What a beautiful story and moving tribute to those who perished at the hands of an evil system.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
Your affirming words make me smile. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful story, of a profound tribute. Personal to many of us.
Thank you, Rochelle,
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Very personal. Thank you for your affirming words, my friend.
Shalom and sh’vuah tov,
Rochelle
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xoxo
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what a touching tribute and it helps the fight against climate change as well.
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Dear Plaridel,
Anything that supports our planet and honors their memories is a good thing. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Trees make such wonderful memorials — a reminder to the living about strength, roots, renewal, rebirth. Thanks for sharing about the Jewish Memorial Forest. I’ve been part of projects planting memorial trees. So wonderful to return, years later, to see what was a seedling becoming a tree. Very touching story.
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Dear Lorraine,
Your words make me smile. Keep planting. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A beautiful story. I also loved the names you chose.
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Dear Gabi,
The choosing of the names was deliberate. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thought so. 😀
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Another reminder of the bestial nature of man and Nature’s true nature.Another fab story, as always.
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Dear Neel,
It’s appalling what some human beings can do to other human beings, isn’t it? Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very powerful…the stones left under a tree at the main synagogue in Budapest were very poignant. The area around the synagogue is undergoing some revival, and the careful work done on a main street, with scenes from the original streets pre WWII and during, are impressive and absolutely tragic — all the more so with the current truly horrific racist government Hungary has these days.
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Dear Forestbathings,
Thank you for sharing about the synagogue in Budapest. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love it, Rochelle. Extremely powerful and heartfelt.
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Thank you so much, Michael.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh! WOW! such an excellent story!
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Dear Lish,
I’ll accept “wow.” 😉 Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A very moving story. Memorial gardens are a beautiful concept and better than any man made tribute.
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Dear Subroto,
I agree about memorial gardens. Good for the environment and a constant reminder. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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