Integrate Environmental Passion with Jewish Identity“The art of communal self-sufficiency begins with the earth. Healthy land supports healthy plants. These living beings provide us with the food, fiber, medicine, and building materials necessary for our own livelihood. As we humbly receive these tools of life, we must be fully aware, conscious of how to take graciously and give back in return. Our hope is to enter this sacred relationship, cultivating a holistic community, guided by the wisdom of our ancient Hebrew teachings and the songs of the land that supports us.”
- Yigal Deutscher, Eco-Israel Founder & Permaculture Instructor |  |
Program Curriculum
Field Work
Our classroom is the living-outdoors and the experiential education will be very-hands on. Agricultural work is centered on 5 separate hand-dug & bio-intensive garden plots, each filled with a great diversity of heirloom, open-pollinated vegetable varieties, as well as an abundance of perennial flowers & herbs, and a small orchard.
Work varies depending on the seasonal patterns and weather conditions. All work is done side-by -side, and with the assistance of farm staff.
Daily field activities can involve working in the vegetable gardens, with animals, in construction projects using wood, stone, and/or mud, and maintaining the general upkeep & order of the site.
You will be learning by doing. This means you will be exposed to the sometimes difficult but realistic pressures and responsibilities of running a farm…which could mean long work hours and extreme weather conditions. As an Eco-Israel participant, the farm’s success will depend on you, your attitude and work ethic. You will need to have a certain level of mental & physical preparation to continuously approach this lifestyle.
As much as the work is demanding, the blessings are endless. You will have a real-life education with practical experience, that includes both the wonders and the challenges of daily farm happenings.
Our classroom is the living-outdoors and the experiential education will be very-hands on. Agricultural work is centered on 5 separate hand-dug & bio-intensive garden plots, each filled with a great diversity of heirloom, open-pollinated vegetable varieties, as well as an abundance of perennial flowers & herbs, and a small orchard.
Work varies depending on the seasonal patterns and weather conditions. All work is done side-by -side, and with the assistance of farm staff.
Daily field activities can involve working in the vegetable gardens, with animals, in construction projects using wood, stone, and/or mud, and maintaining the general upkeep & order of the site.
You will be learning by doing. This means you will be exposed to the sometimes difficult but realistic pressures and responsibilities of running a farm…which could mean long work hours and extreme weather conditions. As an Eco-Israel participant, the farm’s success will depend on you, your attitude and work ethic. You will need to have a certain level of mental & physical preparation to continuously approach this lifestyle.
As much as the work is demanding, the blessings are endless. You will have a real-life education with practical experience, that includes both the wonders and the challenges of daily farm happenings.
Class WorkOur guided educational component is broken up into the subjects of agriculture, permaculture living skills, plant crafts & culture, and Israel/Jewish Studies.
Agriculture Greenhouse management & plant propagation, garden bed preparation, compost & vermicompost, irrigation techniques, soil fertility management, plant botany, seed saving & the seed industry, social issues in modern agriculture, environmental issues in modern agriculture, history of agricultural evolution. Permaculture Living Skills Using whole system thinking & design, we will study how our daily decision-making processes affect our greater ecosystem. Our experiential curriculum will teach you about: sustainable methods of energy production, organic food production and preparation, waste management and composting, water conservation and gray water reclamation, mud construction, recycling, and perennial-based agriculture. Plant Craft & Culture Applied herbology & medicine making, fermentations, canning, jams, wine & beer making, breads. Jewish & Israel Studies As part of the broader Eco-Israel curriculum, participants will study Jewish land ethics and learn about the relationship between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel through Jewish texts, traditions, and holidays. In addition, Eco-Israel provides a unique perspective for studying the modern state of Israel and Zionism through an ecological lens. Hebrew Language Skills There will be an organized program that is tailored to each person’s level – classes taught by certified teachers, individual book work, and an emphasis on listening to and speaking with the Israelis living on the farm alongside you. You will be living in a community of Hebrew and English speakers, so you can take full advantage of the opportunity to practice your Hebrew whenever you wish. |    |
Field TripsAs part of the Eco-Israel curriculum, you will travel, hike and explore Israel from the Negev Desert to the Golan. These trips cover a variety of ecological, cultural and historical points of interest in Israel and introduce you to the amazing work and and groups that make Israel a world leader in sustainability.
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