Teva Ivri - Jewish Environmental Responsibility
The Idea behind Jewish-Israeli Sustainability
Humanity faces a turning point in the 21st century.
The global environmental crisis, together with the growing social injustice are a reflection of our society and its values. In order to solve them, we need to replace our consumerism centered culture and adopt a new direction for our society. A set of values that focus on social and environmental goals and strengthen those things that cannot be monetized: family, solidarity and community.
Jewish and Israeli tradition offers us a point of view that accepts humanity’s central, dual, role – as both changers and users of the environment. It also charges us with the responsibility to its well being and calls on us to be humble and respect all things created.
The Hebrew heritage, as has been shaped over the natural cycle of seasons in the past millennia in this land, allows us to connect our Jewish and Israeli traditions with the changes needed to make in our current culture in order to live in harmony with our local, natural environment, and keep it safe for the next generations.
We see sustainability as the mission of our generation, the Tikun Olam needed at this time and place.
The Israeli Year of Shmita
An initiative that focuses on raising awareness to the values behind the 7th year, the year of Shmita, and invites all members of Israeli society to take this opportunity:
To breathe. To learn. To reconnect to our community and our environment. To take part in a year of healing and repair.
The Hebrew calendar consists of a cycle of six years of action, and after them a seventh year of reflection. In this year property and wealth are secondary, time is not running out, nature is more than just resources to be used and we are all invited to create a more empathic version of ourselves.
Management and Board of Directors
Naftali Oppenheimer– Co-CEO, Founder, and Director of External Relations and the movement's headquarters.
Noa Steinberger – Co-CEO, Founder, and Manager of Initiatives and Communities.
Nathan Mazeh– Co-CEO, Founder, and Manager of the movement's educational programs.
Shaked Hasfeld – Program Manager of the "Ot Bar-Kayma" program for environmental leadership in youth frameworks.
Ziv Goren – Program Manager of the "Ahavat Olam" program for promoting environmental awareness in religious frameworks.
Tamar Yichye– Marketing and Social Department Manager of the movement.
Maayan Ben Eli – Administration Manager of the movement.
Noa Kendel – Human Resources and Volunteers Manager.
Inbal Kalman – Manager of the Green Roof and Social Warehouses.
Sahar Kahana – Manager of youth leadership programs.
Guy Perri – Resources Recruitment Manager.
Shira Rosenbaum – Founder and Partner.
Dan Crema – Collaboration Manager with community gardens.
Bar Kaima - The Movement for Jewish Israeli Sustainability
Sustainability is the mission of our generation
Bar Kaima, founded in 2020, aims to bring the values of sustainability into mainstream Israeli society. The current information and knowledge available to the Israeli public is written in terms irrelevant to the daily circumstances of our lives in Israel. In order to change that, we focus on creating a new environmental language that will reach every group that makes up Israeli society – a language based on our shared values, our commitment to Israeli society and each group’s unique heritage and beliefs.
The Bar Kaima Badge of Sustainability
The Bar Kaima Badge of Sustainability offers pre-military programs, such as ‘Mechina’ (preparatory school), ‘Shnat Sheirut’ (year of service) and other gap year programs the chance to become leaders in promoting sustainable action and lifestyle. As major participants in the shaping of all-Israeli values, we see these organizations as key players in integrating sustainability in Israeli’s daily life. We hold seminars, lectures and offer mentorship for the students and staff of the programs taking part in the Bar Kaima Badge of Sustainability project. At the end of the year, each program that has implemented significant change in its routine and facilities, is awarded the Badge.
Ahavat Olam
Ahavat Olam expands the Bar Kaima Badge of Sustainability and aims to reach Israel's religious sector and cultivate Jewish leaders in sustainability. This program promotes sustainability in a sector of Israeli society that is underexposed to environmental ideas. The program intends to build on the values of the orthodox religious society, and encourage environmental responsibility by making the connection between the two and bridging any gaps that may have formed in the past between environmental awareness and certain political views in this part of Israeli society. The program places special emphasis on Jewish environmental responsibility, creating new knowledge and publishing new texts in the Jewish Orthodox journals.
Green IDF
Green IDF is a community of active servicemen and servicewomen, working together to raise awareness to environmental issues, each in their own respective units. In accordance with IDF’s goal of protecting Israel, its land and its inhabitants, it is clear that the climate crisis is a challenge we must face together by taking part in this great effort, especially during our service in protecting Israel.
Sustainable Communities
Bar Kaima’s members and volunteers, of all backgrounds, who seek to implement sustainable practices and environmental values into their private lives, are part of urban communities in Jerusalem, Be’er Sheva and Haifa. These communities meet and create sustainable alternatives in their cities and neighborhoods, which aim to serve all residents and promote sustainable lifestyles.
The Green Roof and Social Exchange In Jerusalem
Our most recent projects in Jerusalem have evolved from a need raised in our Jerusalem community.
The Green Roof
The Green Roof will function as a community garden for the benefit of the Talbieh neighborhood residents, and will also be a venue for events, a meeting place and a green spot to relax in the crowded city.
The Social Exchange
The Social Exchange is planned as a large space which will house a bike repair shop, a warehouse for the ‘Mezaveh’ initiative and storage room for our Jerusalem community, where members can borrow tools and appliances for little or no fee, instead of buying them at retail price and using them once in a lifetime.
Both projects are in construction – any contribution would be greatly appreciated!
Get Involved - Become a Jewish-Israeli Environmental Pioneer!
Support Teva Ivri and Bar Kaima
With your support, Teva Ivri can influence the way the Jewish world in Israel thinks about issues of environment, society, and culture. It will enable Teva Ivri to further develop and expand its efforts to
promote Jewish Environmental responsibility in Israel and Jewish sustainability around the world.
Donor-designated donations from the USA
Tax-deductible donations from the USA as donor-designated contributions via PEF Israel Endowment Funds, Inc
Please email us that your contribution is on its way.
Donate internationally by credit card or PayPal
Tax-deductible donation from anywhere in the world by credit card or PayPal on Israelgives.org