Living Routes - Israel: Peace, Justice and the Environment at Kibbutz Lotan

Program Basics

Ecovillage Basics

Semester Programs:

India - Auroville

Israel - Kibbutz Lotan

Scotland - Findhorn

Senegal - Yoff

January Programs:

India - Sadhana Forest

Mexico - Huehuecoyotl

Peru - High Amazon

Senegal - Yoff

Summer Programs:

Australia - Crystal Waters

Brazil - Ecocentro IPEC

USA - Sirius: Permaculture

USA - Sirius: Green Building

Year-Long Program:

Ecovillage Year Abroad

Specific Majors



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Learn More about Kibbutz Lotan» Learn More about Living Routes Programs » Check Out the Weblogs of Current Students » Learn How to Apply » Contact us » Tell a friend! » "Our encounters... spanned a wide spectrum of perspectives on the Israeli Palestinian conflict: we met with activists from all three Abrahamic faiths, both religious and secular, who were devoted to peacemaking work. We took a historical tour of the Old City, learned with politically liberal Jews about the condition of Palestinians and took social action with them, worked side by side with Palestinians, and were welcomed into the homes of religious Jews for Shabbos (the Sabbath). We met peace activists deeply connected to their religions, and were inspired by their deep compassion in action, and their commitment to finding joy in human connection even when their work was arduous. The trip left me with many questions and it is not hard to imagine that by the end of this week in Jerusalem, my web of knowing had been undone in a deeply beneficial way." --Lucy Litvak, Stanford University junior and 2009 Israel alumna on the programs mid-semester trip to Jerusalem

Looking out over green play area, and the mountains of Jordan. more photos »

Recyclables are treasure at Lotan. more photos »

Mud bricks for greenbuilding. more photos »

The community that gardens together... more photos »

284 N. Pleasant St., Suite #1

Amherst, MA 01002

(888) 515-7333

Israel: Peace, Justice and the Environment at Kibbutz Lotan

overview » highlights » program at a glance » courses » faculty » dates » costs »

Overview
Explore the connections between new forms of ecological identity and stewardship, social justice and community in Israel. Work alongside Palestinian-Arab, Bedouin and Jewish Israelis who are striving for a just and lasting peace. Gain hands-on experience in ecological design, green building and sustainable agriculture and put permaculture into action in authentic cross-cultural settings.

Through engagement with a holistic approach to world issues that encompasses inner, cultural, and outer processes, you will broaden and deepen your understanding of sustainability and ecology.

Learn from expert practitioners about cutting-edge ecological building techniques such as adobe, straw bale, geodesic domes and permaculture design. Engage in peace dialogues with Muslims, Christians, and Jews (Orthodox and secular), visit their homes join together in service, and discuss ideas for creating peace and justice in the region. Explore the notion of ‘balance’ within ourselves, among cultures, and with the Earth in order to delve deep into sensitive international, community and personal dynamics.

Highlights

	Gain hands-on experience with organic gardening, building with recycled materials and adobe bricks, straw bale construction, and more at the Center for Creative Ecology at Kibbutz Lotan

	Put your permaculture and greenbuilding skills into action with Earth’s Promise, helping improve life for disenfranchised Israelis

	Engage in grassroots peacebuilding, and environmental education with Chava V’Adam , Jerusalem Peacemakers, and Rabbis for Human Rights

	Learn Hebrew, explore old and new Jerusalem, tour the Separation Barrier, and float in the Dead Sea

Kibbutz Lotan as Ecovillage

Kibbutz Lotan is located in Israel's southern Arava valley, an extremely arid environment with an average of 30mm rainfall a year. The community is based on Reform Zionist Jewish values and is committed to renewing Judaism, equality, economic cooperation, ecology and community. Most of the Living Routes classes will take place within the environmental education park and eco-neighborhood/campus.

Read more about Kibbutz Lotan »

Visit KibbutzLotan.com »

Courses

Peacebuilding and Social Justice (Judaic and Near Eastern Studies 390L) (4 cr.)

Students explore social and environmental justice issues in Israel/Palestine from a variety of Israeli and Palestinian and Bedouin perspectives and learn tools for building a just peace.

Group Dynamics (Communication 352) (4 cr.)

Students learn service learning methodologies and skills for living in community. They create their own learning community while living in and contributing to social and development projects in kibbutzim, traditional villages, towns and bi-national intentional communities.

Permaculture Design (Plant and Soil Sciences 398B)(4 cr.)

Theoretical and practice-based course focusing on the context, skills and tools required for the design of sustainable human habitats in different environments. Using new ecological knowledge, students help lead a process of needs-assessment and design projects that will make a difference in village lives.

Sustainable Design and Construction (Regional Planning 596A) (4 cr.)

Foundation course emphasizing theory and practice-based learing. Students focus on the skills, methods and materials associated with ecological design and construction, appropriate technologies, and the building of sustainable communities

Academic Credit
Earn 16 transferable credits through the University of Massachusetts Amherst

Find out about transferring credits to your home school »

View the full curriculum for this program. »

Permaculture gardening in action at Kibbutz Lotan.



		Program Dates (subject to change) August 15- December 15 *Rolling admissions on a first come first serve basis. Contact us for late availability. Learn how to apply » Questions? Contact us »

Students constructing a strawbale and earth geodesic dome.



		Costs tuition, program costs, room and board, in-country travel .... $15,200 credit... Included Learn about financial aid options » Additional Scholarships available: Harold Grinspoon Foundation Masa Israel Journey Haas/Koshland Memorial Award The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies

Program at a Glance
Week 1-5: Kibbutz Lotan
•	Thorough orientation seminar and group activities at Kibbutz Lotan
•	Hebrew class placement and language intensive
•	Practice meets theory in hands-on work in the organic garden and ecological building techniques including adobe bricks, geodesic domes, straw bale and construction with recycled materials
•	Snorkel at the Eilat coral reef!
•	Field trips to neighboring kibbutzim, ecological sites, and natural areas
•	Seminars, group discussions and films presenting a broad view of Israel/Palestine and ecological issues
•	Community activities, discussions and decision making process

Week 6: Jerusalem and the Dead Sea
•	Meet with leading peace organizations and marginalized communities and engage in social action
•	Practice your Hebrew at the shuk (open air market)!
•	Explore historic and cultural sites
•	Enjoy the unique ecology of the Dead Sea

Week 7-12: Kibbutz Lotan
•	Get started working with Permaculture and ecological design principles
•	Group building project using tires, junk, and earth plaster
•	Harvest the fruits of your own labor in the organic garden
•	Continue studying the theories behind intentional community and start designing your ideal community at the Community Design Studio

Week 13: Service Learning in Beer Sheva with Earth's Promise
•	Learn firsthand about urban ecology through joint projects with Beer Sheva's many community garden projects
•	Meet with regional representatives and learn about Ethiopian culture and the politics around the Ethiopian immigration to Israel.
•	Tour Beer Sheva's surrounding Bedouin communities and spend a morning working at Daughter of the Desert farm in Tel Sheva, a Bedouin city.

Week 14-16: Kibbutz Lotan
•	Academic synthesis: final classes, papers and projects
•	Learning throughteaching: presentations on topics of interest relating to course themes
•	Presentation of individual learning projects
•	Closing sessions and celebrations

Adobe Building: learning skills through service.

Faculty

Mark Millstone Naveh
M.Sc., South Bank University in London; Honours (MA equiv.), James Cook University of North Queensland; B.Sc., University of Sydney
Born in England, Millstone Naveh grew up in Australia, and graduated with degrees in Ecology and Education for Sustainability. A resident of Kibbutz Lotan since 1989, he is the principal guide at the Center for Creative Ecology and is responsible for the Center’s educational programming.

Michael Livni
MD, University of British Columbia
Born in Vienna, Livni grew up in Vancouver B.C. and graduated with a specialization in Social Psychiatry. Livni served as coordinator for the Israeli Reform Youth Movement and has worked in various agricultural and economic fields. Since 1986, he has lived on Kibbutz Lotan, where he has been instrumental in establishing a widely successful program of educational ecology and eco-tourism.

Leah Zigmond

M.S., Environmental Science and Management, Duquesne University

BA, Biology, Chatham University
Zigmond has been a Lotan resident for 8 years and works at Lotan’s Center for Creative Ecology overseeing new developments in the ‘Eco-Kef’ ecology park as well as creating environmental education programs for visitors of all ages. She also manages the Kibbutz 1/2 acre vegetable garden and teaches classes on plant biology and sustainable desert gardening. Zigmond has also worked for the Southern Arava Research and Development Station, overseeing various field experiments. With a backgound in both market gardening and agricultural research Zigmond’s particular passions include sustainable irrigation practices and community supprorted agriculture.

Daniel Burstyn

M.A., Jewish Studies, Hebrew College Boston

Since 1990, Burstyn has made his home as a member of Kibbutz Lotan in Israel's Arava Desert. Daniel holds a Master's Degree in Jewish Studies through Boston's Hebrew College, where his research focus was on Judaism and the Environment, and is currently pursuing Rabbinical studies through Aleph, the alliance for Jewish Renewal. He also holds a certificate in Permaculture.
On the kibbutz, Daniel has worked in the kitchen, early childhood daycare, and landscaping. He does his toranuyot (rotational work) milking the cows. He spent much of the last decade as editor of the news magazine of the Eilot Regional Council.

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