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Dear ,
As we prepare to recognize Earth Day, I was interested to read some information on the Earth Day Network's website. In its 39th year, Earth Day is now observed in 174 countries around the world, with over a half billion people participating in Earth Day Network activities. According to the website, "Earth Day is the only event celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities." In many ways, the work of the Arava Institute builds upon this notion - recognizing that the environment is not only a cause for mutual celebration and concern but also a springboard for cooperation and relationship-building.
As you read this month's e-news, I encourage you to reflect on the progress since the start of Earth Day almost four decades ago and the founding of the Arava Institute just over a decade ago and imagine the achievements that might await us in the next generation to come. As always, 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. While our message may not yet have reached 174 countries, with your help we are well on our way! Simply CLICK HERE to send a personalized forward. |
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Arava Alumnus Takes Lessons Home to Jordan 
Inspired by the lessons of empowerment and inclusion that he learned at the Arava Institute, Emad Al Fugaha was determined to make a difference in his home of Jordan.
In 2004, Emad joined with several friends to found the Jordan Youth Exchange Group, an organization bringing together a diverse group of Jordanian young people, crossing socio-economic, educational, gender, and physical differences to organize youth-driven programs and conferences in subjects ranging from the environment to human rights to the cultural arts. Today, the group boasts over 1,500 volunteers, with an amazing 80% of the participants being female and a significant percentage being disabled.
According to the Jordan Youth Exchange Group's website, the organization "aims to remove the psychological barriers between different cultures, give the chance for mutual conversation, encourage youth participation, and confirm strength in youth to express their opinions freely. JYEG is looking to increase Jordanian youth participation in international events that makes...individuals more aware about the outside world, and give them the chance to be improved in a mixed community."
To watch a video about Emad and the Jordan Youth Exchange Group, click here.
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PELS Goes to Jerusalem 
In March, the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies held a three-day workshop as part of the Irmgard Baum Peace-building and Environmental Leadership Seminar (PELS). PELS is an ongoing seminar designed to give Arava's students a forum for investigating aspects of the social and political context in which environmental problems develop, and in which environmental vision and solutions must be designed. The 40 students participating in the workshop - Israelis, Palestinians, Jordanians and North Americans - explored the ties between environmental issues and legal, political and diplomatic factors, from a regional and interdisciplinary perspective.
The students met with leading experts and decision makers on environmental issues, including MK Gideon Ezra, Minister of Environmental Protection; MK Dov Hanin, Chairman of the Knesset Social-Environment Lobby; Prof. Ziad Abdeen, Founding Director of Al-Quds Nutrition and Health Research Institute; Nomi Tzur, Director of Urban Community Centers of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel; Adv. Ruti Rotenburg, Former Chief Legal Advisor to the Ministry of Environmental Protection; and Tzipi Iser Itzik, Director of the Israel Union for Environmental Defense.
The students also visited the Museum on the Seam for an exhibit of contemporary art on the socio-political reality in Jerusalem, as well as led tours for their peers of the holy sites of Jerusalem's three religions. Fitting with the Arava Institute's central approach to environmental studies - the importance of trans-boundary cooperation towards regional solutions - the workshop painted a detailed portrait of the political and cultural sides contributing to Jerusalem's environmental well-being and future.
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Center for Sustainable Agriculture Reaps Harvest 
Rare and endangered medicinal plants, as well as ancient trees immortalized in the Bible, have found a home at the Arava Institute, in its Center for Sustainable Agriculture, headed by Dr. Elaine Solowey. Under her leadership the Center has successfully domesticated populations of several rare plants for research and medicinal cultivation where they can be studied without endangering the wild population.
The domestication and cultivation of these ancient plants has several purposes. Dr. Solowey uses the plant populations to study and develop medicinal matter from the plants, working closely with partners such as the Natural Medicines Unit of Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem to locate and cultivate plants with specific qualities that can be used for medicines. The Artemisia family, she explains, has antibiotic qualities that can be developed for new medicines. "We're losing medicines all the time," Dr. Solowey explains, "as resistant strains of bacteria emerge, old medicines become ineffective. But as long as plants can be cultivated with new qualities, there's no reason why we can't make new medicines."
Dr. Solowey explains that the ultra-low water using crops native to the Arava have another purpose. They can be cultivated by local farmers for a livelihood. After domesticating the desired plants, seeds are given to farmers in order to cultivate and supply them to the market. The plants help peripheral farmers sustain themselves and find a place amongst the industrial giants in the agriculture industry. In this way, Dr. Solowey's project is simultaneously engaging in the cutting-edge world of alternative medicines and creating sustainable agriculture for local Arava farmers. | |
As we celebrate Earth Day, I encourage you to consider contributing to the Arava Institute as a wonderful way to espress your personal commitment to envirnomental sustainability and coexistence. Please consider clicking on the "Donate Now" or "Israel Ride" buttons for great ways to provide your support. As the Arava Institute continues to grow, you play a vital role in enabling the progess, not only of today, but of generations to come. Our first twelve years have seen amazing achievements, and, with your generous support, just imagine what the next twelve years might bring. Thank you, and Happy Earth Day. |
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Sincerely,
David Weisberg, Executive Director
Friends of the Arava Institute |
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Arava Institute in the News
Click logos below to read feature articles from:
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Friends of Arava Launches Clergy Circle
Friends of the Arava Institute has announced for formation of a "Clergy Circle" through which a diverse group of religious leaders can express their support for the mission of the Arava Institute.
An announcement forwarded to clergy and supporters throughout North America reads: "The Clergy Circle is intended to mirror the Arava Institute's mission of bringing together diverse populations, with the objective of disseminating information to and gathering the endorsement and support of religious communities throughout North America which are inspired by the Institute's mission of environmental sustainability and coexistence."
Arava Institute supporters are encouraged to reach out to their local community clergy members and ask them to sign on to the Clergy Circle list.
To view a list of the current members of the Friends of the Arava Institute Clergy Circle or to download a copy of the Clergy Circle description and agreement, click here. |
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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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