Weekly Report December 12th - 31st, 2010

December has been an incredibly packed month:

• On December 12th through the 15th, the Research Department held a conference on Kibbutz Ketura for 15 Palestinian, Israeli, and Italian water professionals: "The Development and Management of Marginal Water Resources in Water Scarce Regions: The Case of Israel and the Palestinian Authority". The conference was funded by the Italian Trade Commission and the Israeli Office of Regional Cooperation. Due to the increasing scarcity of clean water in the West Bank, Israelis, Palestinians and Italians spent three days discussing a cooperative framework for regional water resources management and ways to utilize grey water (water from kitchens, showers and sinks) for agricultural purposes. The final result of the workshop is a commitment from the Arava Institute, Italian representatives, and West Bank local council to assess and implement marginal water reuse schemes in Palestinians villages. More information is available at: http://english.themarker.com/joint-italian-israeli-palestinian-project-to-solve-sewage-problem-1.331049
• On December 13th, Professor Miri Amit, the new Dean of the Eilat Campus of Ben Gurion University visited the institute. Professor Amit is a mathemation and for more than ten years  served as the National Superintendent of Mathematics at the Israel Ministry of Education, overseeing school curricula, national testing and mathematics education policy for the entire State of Israel.  Professor Amit was appointed to her new position as Dean of the Eilat Campus and is very interested in deepining the relationship between the Arava Institute and BGU.  Professor Amit had the opportunity to meet staff and students on her first visit to the institute.
• A few days after the conference at Ketura, Israeli and Jordanian researchers met in Aqaba under the umbrella of the Dead Sea Arava Science Center, headed by Dr. Hanan Ginat.  On December 16th and 17th, 30 Israeli researchers and 30 Jordanian researchers who are working together on cross border research in hydrology, biology , ecology, renewable energy, sustainble agriculture and medicinal plants met for two days in Aqaba to report on progress and to develop ideas for future research programs.  The logisitics of the confrerence was organized by a group of Arava Institute Alumni who have created a new environmental organization.  Many of the projects are joint Science Center Arava Institute research and a number of Arava Institute staff attended the conference including Dr. Clive Lipchin, Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed, Dr. Elli Groner, Dr. Michael Beyth, Gigi Strom, Abby Lutman and myself.  The conference was a major success hosting an unprecidented number of Israeli and Jordanian researchers who are working together. The proof of the success of the meeting was not during the presentations of research but during the meals when instead of Jordanians sitting at one table and the Israelis at another, the biologists sat together with the biologists, the ecologists sat together the ecologists and the hydrologists sat with the hydrologists; science knows no borders. The conference and the research is funded by  the Israeli Ministry of Regional Cooperation.
• The following week, on December 23rd, the Arava Institute held its final Board of Director's meeting for 2010.  The Board recieved an update, reviewed goals for 2011 and discussed the budget for 2011.  The 2010 budget year was difficult due to a lower than expected fundraising campaign.  Board members asked for clarification of the budget and want to see a plan to stabilize the finances in 2011.  The Directors of the institute will submit such a plan by January 15th, 2011.
• After the Board meeting the Association held its Annual General Meeting.  The meeting approved the Board of Directors for 2011 and appointed Professor Yaakov Karni to replace Dr. Michael Beyth as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Arava Institute.  Professor Karni is head of the Solar Tower and solar energy research at the Weizmann Institute in Rechovot. Dr. Beyth will continue to serve on the Board.  The institute wants to thank Dr. Beyth for his tremendous contribution to the Arava Institue by serving as Chairman for three years and wishes Professor Karni luck and success in the new position. 
• On Wednesday, December 22^nd and Thursday, December 23^rd, students participate in the PELS Jerusalem trip.  The students first had a tour with Eitan Katz from the Ir Amim (City of Nations) Organization.  He took them around Gilo, Harmon HaNatziv, Jabel Mukaber and Mount Scopus, where he spoke about the geographical and political landscape.  The students then spent the rest of the day at the Jerusalem Institute of Israel Studies (JIIS) where they heard from Israel Kimcki who is the director of the Jerusalem Studies Desk and former Director of the Policy Planning Department for the Jerusalem Municipality.  He spoke about the issues Jerusalem faces and possible solutions to those issues.  Following that the students heard from Walid Salem, director of the Center for Democracy & Community Development.  He spoke about the Arab Peace Initiative.  Also speaking to the students was Dr. Alon Liel, Former Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  He spoke about the Syria-Israel Track and where it stands today.  Both gentlemen then had an open discussion with the students where they asked many tough, but thoughtful questions.  The following day the students awoke early in the morning to have a compassionate listening training preparation for the day ahead.  This was led by Maha El Taji-Daghash and Annael Harpaz.   The students then went to the Silwan neighborhood of Jerusalem where they went on at Jerusalem Reality Tour led by Rotem Mor.  The tour took them through the City of David where they learned about the importance of it to the Jewish people.  They then went to the Alternative Welcome Center, run by the residents of Silwan, where they heard from a resident of Silwan about the struggle the people are facing when it comes to dealing with the Jerusalem Municipality and the Jewish residents of Silwan.  Following that the students went to Sheikh Jarah where they met with three Palestinian Legislators from Gaza where they asked amazing questions ranging from peace with Israel to Gilad Schalit to Palestinian politics.  The students then had a very somber meeting with Noam Schalit (the father of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit) and heard about the latest regarding Gilad’s status. Following that the students briefly recapped the two day trip and went on their way.
• The first Friends of the Arava Institute Eco-Tour  arrived on Kibbutz Ketura on December 26th.  There are 18 participants on this pilot Eco-Tour including 4 members of the Friends of the Arava Institute, Seth Morrison (FAI Chair), Barry Fierst, Karen Fierst and Hillel Solomon.  The tour was organized by Tali Adini, Director of the Eco-Paths Department of the Arava Institute and led by Dr. Clive Lipchin and Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed.  The tour spent a day and a half on Ketura learing about the institute, meeting Arava Institute students and hearing lectures about cross boundary water issues.  The next three days were spent travelling in and around Jordan, Israel and Palestine.     

• The official opening of the new Daniel Fischel & Sylvia Neil Family Research and Visitors Park in Memory of Dr. Eugene Fischel & Dina (Diane) Markowicz was held on December 27th with the participation of the FAI Eco-Tour, Kibbutz Ketura members, AIES staff and students.  Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, Daniel, Sylvia and their families could not attend the ceremony.  A special dedication ceremony will be held sometime in the future when the family can participate.  The Research and Visitors Park is located just in front of the Institute's offices and will serve as an area for field testing renewable energy technology, sustainable water technology, sustainable agricultural techniques and for studying ecosystems.  The park will also serve as an educational demonstration site where students and visitors can learn about the research being done at the Arava Institue.  Finally the park will serve as an outdoor classroom for students from around the world.  Rutie Kaplan-Roth and Sarit Maagan-Rosenfeld did a superb job organizing the ceremony.

• Thursday night, December 30th, Sababa (The Center for a Healthy Environment in the Arava) held its final steering committee meeting for 2010.  With 16 participants, the committee was updated on the current campaigns, Timna Hotel, Samar Sand Dunes and Agricultureal Waste.  The committee received the news that the District Planning committee in Beer Sheva rejected the Israel Lands Authority's objection to the planned declaration of a nature reserve in the mid-section of the Samar Sand Dunes, paving the way for approval of the natur reserve.  Taal Goldman, Sababa Coordinator and other Sababa and Green Course activists participated in the hearing in Beer Sheva.  The committee also recieved a report from Revital Katz about the Environmental Impact statement which was commissoned by the Beer Sheva District Planning Committee on the Timna hotel.  The report clearly recommends not to build the hotel in the Sasgon Valley and recommends that it be built near the entrance to the Timna Park.  All in all, a good month for the environment!  
• Late breaking news:  The Arava Institute has been recognized as a winner of this year's MEPEACE "Education" Award.  : http://www.mepeace.org/events/mepeace-awards-event-dec-31

Happy New Year!!
David Lehrer   

Weekly Report August 1st -13th, 2010

• On the Sunday evening, August 1rst, Shira Kronich, fresh back from her trip to Kenya, gave a presentation to the members of Kibbutz Ketura about her experience there and about the exciting activiteis of the new Arava Center for Sustainable Development (ACSD). The institute is now in negotiation with the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs's Development Aid Department (MASHAV) on an expanded program for 2011.  Members of the kibbutz were thrilled to hear about these global developments taking place in their own back yard.

• The next evening, I presented the Arava Institute's strategic growth plan for the next 15 years  to the Kibbutz Ketura Secretariat.  The members of the Secretariat were impressed by the level of detail and strategic thought put into the plan.  The Secretariat decided that the plan should also be discussed in the General Assembly of the kibbutz.
• The following week on August 9th, Gigi Strom, Scientific Editor for the Arava Institute and I met with Nir Peres from the Israeli Ministry of Regional Cooperation.  The ministry is interested in working together with the Arava Instittue on programs that promote regional cooperation in the area.  The ministry turned to us because of our reputation and experience with Jordan and Palestine. They have proposed funding a number of programs including conferences, alumni activitiy and cross border work in high schools.  Many of these projects are in cooperation with the Dead Sea Arava Science Center as Well.  The mandate of the ministry is very similar to the mandate of the Arava Institute, therefore joint projects seems like a very logical step.
• The next day, the institute staff decided to take the afternoon off and go to the beach. The beach day was organized by Ronit Friedman, our institute secretary.  Late Tuesday afternoon, about 20 staff members piled into cars and headed down to the Dolphin Reef Beach in Eilat.  The cool water and afternoon breeze was just what the staff needed - that plus the beer, humous and chips.  Dolphin Reef is the home of a group of dolphins who are cared for by the professional staff of the beach but are free to roam the gulf.   The staff was thrilled to have the opportunity to get a close up look a the beautiful creatures. 

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  During the week, we recieved some exciting news from our partners at Dickinson College in Carlisle Pa. that we they had received the US State Department grant that we had submitted together.  Miriam Sharton had worked with staff from Dickinson on the development of a proposal to the US State Department to fund a student and professional exchange program.  The total grant is for $500,000 over two years. The proposal will enable the Institue to host a summer program and the following year to send a delegation of alumni to the US.  It also strengthens our relationship with Dickinson College and opens the doors for long-term cooperation.
• Thursday morning, Tali Adini, Eco-Paths Director, Sarit Maagan-Rosenfeld, Eco-Paths Logistics Coordinator and I drove to Mitzpeh Ramon in order to scout out the new hotel we will be using this year and look at other logistical issues.  Due to overbooking at the Ramon Inn, the Israel Ride will be using two hotels in Mitzpeh Ramon, the Ramon Inn and the new Ramon Hotel which is also an apartment block converted into a hotel.  It is brand new and though still lacking a pool, should be a great place to spend Shabbat for those Riders who will be housed there. The new hotel is about 5 minutes from the old hotel and very close to the machtesh.  Tali, Sarit and I met with the hotel managers of both hotels and we also went to visit "IBike" where the crew will be spending Shabbat. IBike is a great little hostel for bikers - very cool and cozy - with its own hot-tub.  The Israel Ride crew will be happy campers.  Finally, we had lunch at restaurant called "HaKatzeh" (The Edge) right on the outskirts of Mitzpeh Ramon.  I had the chicken, Tali and Sarit had the sweet potatoe quiche.  Very good but avoid the brocoli souffle (not well cooked).  In any case, we found Mitzpeh Ramon to be full of interesting tourist attractions and are looking forward to spending October 22nd-24th there during the Israel Ride.  Mitzpeh Ramon - who knew! 
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  On Thursday night, an evening in memory of Michelle Samson, a member of Kibbutz Ketura, who died of cancer last year, was held behind the pub. Michelle Samson was a avid star gazer and  August 12th was chosen as the evening to celebrate her life because it is the peak of the summer Perseid meteor shower.  The evening was organized by Abby Lutman a long time friend of Michelle's and staff member of the Arava Institute.  Michelle a nature lover, participated in many classes and activities of the institute before her passing.  The evening included a lecture by Ayli Eschar on astronomy and the meteor shower, the screening of the sci-fi movie classic, Galaxy Quest and the unveiling of the brand new telescope donated to the Arava Institute in Michelle's memory.  Yonatan Chesler, who is in charge of IT at the institute instructed kibbutz members and childern on how to see Saturn through the telescope.   The telescope will be kept inside the institute but will have a permanent stand in the new Research and Visitors Park.

David Lehrer