| OELBAUMSPENDE (TREE) CERTIFICATE |
Emil Ranzenhofer designed the first JNF Tree Donation Certificate. The very first one was called the "Oelbaum Spende" or "Gifts of Olive Trees". If a donation of five or more trees was made in the name of a person or organizeation, then they would receive one of these certificates. The original intention was to grow only olive trees (hence "oelbaum" on the original certificate). But, since other kinds of trees were also needed, the fund name was quicky changed to just "Baumspende" or Tree Fund.
Emil's original image of the Tree Certificate has also been used by the JNF on Postcards and Stamps. An example is shown below on the left.
This certifcated was again modified and Emil's trademark symbol of the Lion of Judah in the center of the Star of David was replaced with a likeness of Theodore Herzel sometime after his death in 1904 (see image below center). The new version was designed by an artist from Israel's own Bezalel School of Art. This certificate has been modified many times over the years (see version #3 on the bottom left), and its use continues today.
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| Original Version used on a Postcard |
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| Second Version of Tree Certificate |
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| Third Version of Tree Certificate |
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