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Eco-vacation on a kibbutzBy Ben G. Frank - Thursday January 19 2006 The article was published in the Boston Jewish Advocate Wherever you stand in Kibbutz Lotan, about 45 minutes north of Eilat in the southern desert of Israel, total quiet will envelop you. It is worth a visit just to stand there and experience the total silence. The wonders of the desert that the traveler will see here certainly will reward the urban northeasterner seeking a relaxing vacation. Stand in Kibbutz Lotan and you will view the red-tinted mountains of Edom to the east. Along with the stillness, the views are spectacular, especially at sunset. Visitors, including students, come to Lotan to experience these extraordinary desert surroundings, to have an eco-experience and to learn about the world of ecology in a collective which encourages holistic and ecological tourism. No matter how much you see, you will come away from this collective with a feeling that here resides a group of people who strive to fulfill the Biblical ideal: “to till the earth and preserve it” in their home, region, country and world. While Lotan’s facilities are not five-star luxury hotel-style, the kibbutz does contain country lodging suited for families, youth groups and individuals. They like to say that three-stars will do it. The kibbutz boasts a beautiful swimming pool, more than 20 air conditioned guest rooms with kitchenettes and bathrooms and a kosher kitchen. During our visit, they were fully booked. For birders, Kibbutz Lotan is paradise. It is located on one of the major migration flyways in the world allowing the amateur and professional birdwatchers the opportunity to view up to 100 varieties within a two-mile radius of the kibbutz. Tours with professional guides are offered during the migration. Tours include visits to Lotan’s migratory bird reserve and its ringing stations. A highlight of the kibbutz is to appreciate the coming together of healing powers of water and desert in the heated, crystal-clear Watsu pool. Water massage treatments are available to individuals, couples and small groups. Courses with qualified Watsu instructors can be scheduled. Located here is the Center for Creative Ecology, an independent educational institution on the kibbutz. It runs the eco-park and maintains and develops the bird reserve. Walking through the kibbutz, the traveler might just come upon young people from all over the world. They are the Green Apprenticeship Permaculture Design Program which works with Friends of the Earth (Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian youth education). Visitors also will be able to see how this kibbutz recycles organic waste, reuses solid waste and conducts alternative building from tires, clay mud and straw bales. There are only about 60 adults and 60 children living here, plus educational instructors and ecological volunteers. Founded in 1983 by a groups of Israelis and North Americans, all graduates of the Reform movement of Judaism, it has inspired many in the field of practical and creative ecology. Dr. Michael Livni, author, lecturer, veteran Zionist educator, a graduate of Habonim (the Labor Zionist youth movement) and former director general of the World Zionist Organization’s Department of Jewish Education and Culture, often takes groups on educational tours around the kibbutz proudly points out that this the only collective kibbutz that belongs to the Reform movement. It is also the only one that is part of a global eco network and that has a vision statement. “Others may have one or two of those elements, we have all four,” said Livni (E-mail: ml-lotan@zahav.net.il). “It’s tough to live here a long time,” Livni added. “It takes a certain determination.” He and fellow residents certainly have the determination needed for the Biblical prophecy “the desert and the wasteland will rejoice” (Isaiah 35:1). Ben G. Frank is the author of “A Travel Guide to Jewish Europe, 3rd edition,” “A Travel Guide to Jewish Russia and Ukraine” and “A Travel Guide to the Jewish Caribbean and South America,” (all Pelican Publishing, Gretna, La.). |
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©All Rights Reserved Kibbutz Lotan 2005 Kibbutz Lotan, D.N. Hevel Eilot 88855 Israel; Tel: +972 8 6356888; Fax +972 8 6356927 |
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