A new exciting trend of poetry is evolving in Israel: poetry that promotes ecological awareness.

This new type of poetry mourns the loss of nature, and wishes to change awareness.

Yarok Achshav, Teva Ivri and Mashiv Ruah organized an awareness raising evening through the use of poetry.

On a cold Jerusalem evening hundreds of young people gathered together to sing and read poetry that protest the loss and abuse of natural resources.

Please check out the pictures from this event in our photo gallery

We are happy to report on various activities Teva Ivri held during Tu B'Shvat:

• Study group and discussion on the subject of natural resources and natural gas finds royalties was held on Friday January 21^st2011 Tel-Aviv. This activity was held as part of a collaboration between Teva Ivri and Alma House Tu B'Shvat street party. Lectures were held with Kobi Oz and Rabbi Michael Malchior.
• Tu B'Shvat event in Karmiel: On Trees and Men was held on Jan 18^th with the participation of various educational organizations that plant seeds throughout the year
• Tu B'Shvat event for families in Jerusalem
• Radio program on ECO99 FM on Tu B'Shvat Judaism and the environment
• Ecopoetica – an evening of poetry reading on nature conducted in collaboration with Green Now and Meshiv Ruah. A newspaper article on this event is scheduled to be published this week in Makor Reshon
• Article in Ynet on natural gas finds, Tu B'Shvat and the distribution of natural resources

“When you come into the land and plant.” (Leviticus 19:23) God said to the Jewish people, “Even though you will find the land full of all good things, do not say ‘Wewill sit and not plant,’ but rather, you should be sure to plant.” As it says, “Plant allfood-giving trees.” Just as you entered and found trees that others had planted, sotoo should you plant for your children. A person should not say, “I am old and maydie tomorrow; why should I trouble myself for the sake of others?” [Midrash Tanchuma Parshat Kedoshim 8]

This midrash describes a situation of abundance in which we are still required to plant, to work for the future generations so that they, like us, will enjoy the wealth of the earth.

Our society is rich and abundant; however, our culture encourages us to enjoy our present comforts without any care for the future. Our culture stresses the individual's well being. What would we plant for future generations?

We begin to be aware of the price of our careless behavior: air pollution, water pollution, flood and fire are the result of global warming. The midrash asks us to widen our horizons beyond the here and now, beyond our ego centeredness, to become aware of future generations and the legacy we leave them.

If we are honest with ourselves, are we carefully planting for the future? Do we actively strive for a better society, a better world for our children?

To Each His Own Plant

What are our ways to plant? We can plant environmental legislation; we can plant sustainable communities that take responsibility over their environment.

Recently there was an extensive natural gas finds in Israel. The finding of this natural resource has stirred a public debate over royalties. Moreover, the natural gas finds raises ethical questions: who owns nature and its resources? What is the best way to conduct ourselves in the present so that future generations will live in a good and worthy world?

May we all plant sustainability and sustain the world!

Jewcology readers who are in Israel are invited to the following Tu B'Shvat activities initiated by Teva Ivri:

Study group and discussion on the subject of natural resources and natural gas finds royalties on Friday January 21^st 2011 in Alma House in Tel-Aviv. This activity is held as part of Alma's Tu B'Shvat street party

Who Owns the Natural Gas Finds?

Kobi Oz and Rabbi Michael Malchior in Alma House 11:00 – 12:00

On the natural gas finds as opportunity to build a better society

Were You Real or Only a Dream? Teva Ivri in Julie M Galerie 14:00 – 15:00

Study group and discussion on Israel's natural gas finds and the future generations

Please contact us for details at info@tevaivri.org.il

Invite your friends!

Hi all,

We're very happy to join Jewcology

Who are we?

Teva Ivri – Jewish Nature is an NGO based in the Galilee (northern part of Israel). We're dedicated to create Jewish environmental responsibility, and to significantly join social values rooted in Jewish tradition with environmental values.

What we do?

• We work within formal and informal education to promote social-environmental activism based on Jewish tradition
• We maintain an easily accessible online resource center in the field of Judaism and Environment (check out our materials in Hebrew at www.tevaivri.org.il
• We promote Jewish environmental discourse in the Israeli society
• We are committed to strengthen the bonds between Israel and Jewish communities around the world

We are thrilled to be part of Jewcology and hope for fruitful collaborations!

Check out this blog for updates on our various activities, and feel free to contact us at tevaivri@gmail.com

This is a short film taken during The Flood Ahead Festival Teva Ivri organized in Jerusalem on October 2010 as part of Shabbat Noah events. Enjoy!