"…a land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates;
a land of olive oil, and honey;" Deuteronomy 8:7-8
These seven species of grains and fruits (Shiv'at Haminim) have graced the Land of Israel from ancient times to this very day, playing a lasting role in Jewish religious traditions, agricultural festivals and cuisine. They have become symbols, both sacred and secular, reminding us of our links to the past and the timelessness of our people.
Today, the seven species are the central feature and theme of a unique, ecologically-oriented 2000 square meter roof garden atop the Beautiful Israel Center in Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park. This inviting public space offers visitors a measure of beauty and serenity along with a unique cultural and educational experience – a welcome respite from the bustle of the metropolis.
The Seven Species roof garden was created with sustainability in mind and includes a solar power station where the sun’s renewable energy is transformed into electricity, reducing air pollution and dependence on hydrocarbon fuels. It also features daylight amplifiers – innovative skylights that bring healthful, natural light into the building below, while filtering out UV radiation.
Situated where thousands of people pass by daily on walking, jogging and bike paths, and easily accessible by all means of transportation, the roof garden sits atop the Beautiful Israel Center – a uniquely “green” complex dedicated to environmental education and activities for people of all ages, and home to the innovative Outlook multimedia visitors’ center. Attracting more than 220,000 arrivals a year, the CBI (the Council for a Beautiful Israel) complex also includes a Conference Center and café, and is located within walking distance of the Eretz Israel museum, the Yitzhak Rabin center, the Israel Exhibition Center and Tel Aviv University.
Since 1968, CBI has led by example, working with schools, the Israel Defense Forces, governmental and corporate bodies to preserve and embellish Israel's natural treasures, in urban centers and rural regions throughout the country. The Seven Species Roof Garden is a model for emulation -- yet another example of how Beautiful Israel leads the way toward a more beautiful future.