New vines bring hope to Israeli monastery scorched by wildfire

Swapping his monk’s habit for overalls and a sun hat, Father Christian-Marie knelt alongside volunteers in the freshly dug earth, planting grape vines to replace those damaged by wildfires that swept through central Israel earlier this year.

Wine production at Latrun monastery dates back 135 years, when the French monks first arrived. Cultivating fruit is central to both their spiritual practice and livelihood.

The monks say the wildfires that broke out in late April damaged about five…