Living Routes Peace, Justice and the Environment at Lotan

Description

Explore the connections between land-based cultural identity and social justice, community, and ecological stewardship in an amazing and unique landscape. Gain hands-on experience in alternative building & design, organic gardening, sustainable community management and group processing.

At Kibbutz Lotan, explore the notion of personal, cultural and global balance to delve deep into sensitive community and international dynamics.

Kibbutz Lotan is an intentional Reform Zionist Jewish community based on the values of renewing Judaism, equality, economic cooperation, ecology, I-Thou, right livelihood, home community and tikun olam (repairing the world).

The Kibbutzs success, as an experiment in communal living, stems from its dynamic nature of constantly re-evaluating and reinventing the way the community lives the kibbutz ideal. The community successfully balances introspection with involvement and outreach to create a healthy and vibrant society.

Kibbutz Lotan is located near a built wetlands supporting bird migration and is the heart of a Bird Park under the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel and Bird Life International.

Highlights

Engage in peace dialogues with Muslims, Christians and Jews (Orthodox and secular) to discuss ideas for creating peace and justice in the region.

Spend three weeks, mid semester, in Jerusalem to live, learn and engage in service learning projects focused on peace and social justice.

Snorkel at the Eilat coral reef, visit neighboring kibbutzim, swim in the Dead Sea and practice Hebrew at the shuk (open air market).