Center for Creative Ecology at Kibbutz Lotan
The Center for Creative Ecology on Kibbutz Lotan
Education for sustainability through hands, heart and mind
Kibbutz Lotan’s Center for Creative Ecology, situated in Israel’s southern Arava desert, is rooted in Tikkun Olam – the Jewish concept for repairing and transforming the world.
The Center is unique within Israel in providing quality experiential environmental education from a liberal, progressive Jewish perspective within the framework of a Reform Jewish community whose lifestyle reflects sustainability values.
The CfCE has developed and demonstrates permaculture design techniques in extreme desert conditions, natural building methods, local organic food systems, renewable energy, sustainable waste management and alternative technologies. Our mission is to serve as a catalyst to inspire, motivate and empower people to build sustainable community and to take creative action for positive change towards social and environmental justice.
Our aims in education for sustainability:
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To instill a sense of wonder for nature and the environment, while developing awareness and knowledge of the global challenges being faced
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To influence individual and communal attitudes and decisions towards adopting a more sustainable lifestyle
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To encourage and support actions for building community, for the environment and for social and environmental justice through the development of practical ideas
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To connect contemporary environmental thinking to diverse modern and traditional sources within Judaism and Israeli society
The CfCE is part of a world-wide consortium including the Natural Builders Network, the Global Straw Bale Network, the Israel and International Permaculture Association, the Global Ecovillage Network and GAIA Education’s EcoVillage Design Education programs (affiliated with the United Nation’s Decade for Sustainable Education).
The CfCE manages Kibbutz Lotan’s Nature and Migratory Bird Reserve, the EcoKef – Ecological Educational Park and the EcoCampus.
When in Israel – visit and stay to learn a tool-box of sustainable tools