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Dear ,
The largest group of students in the history of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies is currently attending this semester, with 48 young leaders participating as students or interns. The diversity of the group reflects the Institute's commitment to building coexistence, including students from Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Israel, the United States, Canada, Germany, Denmark, and Uruguay. And, as you will read in this edition of our e-news, amazing things continue to happen - from the dedication of a new solar energy park, to a ground-breaking trans-boundary water course, to the continuing development of the Arava Peace and Environment Network.
While you and I are becoming familiar with this pattern of achievements in education, research, and peace-building, I strongly encourage you to spread the word by sharing this newsletter with friends and colleagues that you believe might be similarly inspired by the mission of the Arava Institute. Simply CLICK HERE and you'll find that it's incredibly easy and user-friendly to share the e-news with anyone for whom you have email. |
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Coordinator Elected for Alumni Network 
Hannah Schafer has been elected by her fellow alumni as the first coordinator of the Arava Peace and Environment Network (APEN), an organization formed of Arava Institute alumni and the Middle East's first membership organization to include both Israeli Jews and Arabs from Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority.
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Hannah studied at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies for a year (2004-2005). "It was an incredible, life-changing experience," reflects Hannah. "All my unanswered questions about Israel's environmental history and current environmental issues were answered, I experienced life on a kibbutz for the first time, and for the first time in my life I was interacting with "the other" on a daily basis. I met absolutely incredible people who were determined to make a change in the world."
In the end, Hannah couldn't stay away. She made aliyah to Israel at the beginning of 2006. Since her move back to Israel, Hannah made an effort to stay involved with the Arava Family. "I feel honored and grateful to be part of this community of amazing individuals and be involved in APEN's continued growth," Hannah beams. " I am really excited to see what we can do in a year."
To view a video profile of Hannah and her work on water pollution in Israel, click here.
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Arava Institute Teams with Jordan University for Trans-boundary Water Course 
In January 2008, the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, in conjunction with Jordan University for Science and Technologyand A.R. Israeli Technologies Ltd, held a ten day advanced international training course entitled: Integrated Water Resource Management and Technology in the Jordan River Watershed. Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian government officials, water technology engineers, members of non-profit research organizations and other water management professionals attended the course, which provided a comprehensive study of water management in the region.
Attending lectures, working on collaborative projects and traveling across Israel and Jordan, the group gained a comprehensive understanding of the issues facing water resources in the Middle East. An interdisciplinary perspective focused on the legal and political aspects of water resource management, economic and managerial principles of the water industry, public policy and institutions in water management, and developments in water technology.
The curriculum as well as the participants emphasized a fundamental principle - trans-boundary cooperation. Like the region's water itself, the course conveyed that solutions to water management must know no borders. Participants in the course were given a rare opportunity to apply a collaborative effort to tacking the issues facing one of their region's most critical shared interests. The Arava Institute believes that such frameworks for cooperation built on shared interests "may indeed prove to be the foundation on which long-lasting multilateral political accords will be built."
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Renewable Energy Park Opens at Arava 
The first of its kind in Israel's Arava region, a renewable energy park initiated by the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies will be a center for research, development and testing of cutting edge renewable energy technology. Currently being developed in Kibbutz Ketura, the renewable energy park will be the first center of renewable energy development in the Arava region, where vast open spaces and abundant sunlight create an ideal environment for solar, wind, and bio-fuel energy development.
On February 16, 2008, the Arava Institute held an unveiling ceremony officially launching the park initiative and dedicating it in honor of Brian Medwed, a member of Kibbutz Samar who was an avid supporter of renewable energy development in the Arava region and dedicated his time to studying, developing and promoting a number of initiatives in the field of renewable energy. During the ceremony, ceremony Dr. Hanan Ginat said that "the establishment of the park in the area and its location at the entrance to the Arava Institute is an important part in realizing Brian's dream and vision, for he understood the importance of using the difficult and unique conditions of Arava to create renewable energy."
The park will be part of the new Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation being established at the Arava Institute. The new center will include academic studies and research is in partnership with Ben Gurion University and assisted by researchers of the Weizmann Institute. The establishment of the new center will require an investment of $10 million over the next five years and will place the Arava Institute on the map of Israel's leading centers in solar energy expertise.
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As you reflect on the incredible stories above of the ground-breaking work of the Arava Institute, please keep in mind that none of this would be possible without the incredible support of individuals and organization in North America. Please consider clicking on the "Donate Now" or "Israel Ride" buttons for great ways to continue your own support. As a "friend" of the Arava Institute, you play a vital role in enabling the work of the Arava Institute's heroic students and alumni and supporting the mission that "Nature Knows No Borders." Thank you. |
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Sincerely,
David Weisberg, Executive Director
Friends of the Arava Institute
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World Water Day is March 22, 2008.
To read Rabbi Michael Cohen's World Water Day editorial,
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Friends of the Arava Institute Pilots Regional System
"As an organization that aspires to connect with people throughout North America, we understand that our greatest effectiveness will be through organizing on the local level," says Friends of the Arava Institute Executive Director, David Weisberg.
This past January, Friends of the Arava Institute began implementing a pilot program for regionalization. In its first year, the pilot program calls for the creation of volunteer-based Friends of Arava groups in Philadelphia, Atlanta, the San Francisco Bay area, and southern California. In each community, a steering committee and action plan are being created.
Using this pilot year to evaluate the regionalization system, the plan calls for future expansion, adding a handful of new communities to the regional structure each year. Anyone interested in being involved in local efforts in their region is encouraged to email david@friendsofarava.org.
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Join the People of the Bike! Bike for the environment from Jerusalem to Eilat in May or November 2008. Click below to learn more.
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The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies and Friends of the Arava Institute are proud partners with:
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