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Green Apprenticeship TestimonialsLindsay Casper & Erin Hoover, (Spring 2006) The Green Apprenticeship was an incredibly spiritually and educationally enriching experience. We will take away with us not only the skills and tools necessary to live a more sustainable lifestyle, but the experience of communal living that has fostered lifelong friendships. The connections we have made here have provided a wonderful supportive community that will continue to be a source of support in our future endeavors. It is remarkable how much we have learned in just ten weeks, both about permaculture and kibbutz life, as well as about ourselves. Sarah Gilberg, (Spring 2006) How can I leave such a wonderful place as this? The skills I have learned here through the GA program are so incredibly important, not just for “eco-freakos” but for every global citizen, and what better place to learn permaculture than in this beautiful desert, in this beautiful country, with these caring and inspiring people? What I take with me as I leave here is a sense of empowerment, the feeling that I can really do anything, and that I have the love and support of the whole Lotan community and beyond to do it. I hope to apply what I have learned here to my life and work back in the United States, and most importantly to share the values and skills I have acquired to all of my friends and family and to everyone that I may be fortunate enough to meet in my future endeavors. Dana Sipos Randor (GA Jan – March 2005) “living on kibbutz lotan, as part of the green apprenticeship program helped solidify the ideal of how i want to live, how we must all live to ensure the survival of our planet; in a sustainable way, in a community that looks our for each other and loves each other, in a manner harmonious with and respectful of ecological systems...” Helen Salvay (GA Sept – Nov 2005) “What did the GA Program do for me? It opened up a whole world of ideas about how people can grow food and build shelters without dependence on petrochemicals. I enjoyed the classes and the practical application of principles in the work projects. Living on a kibbutz had been a dream of mine, so it was a thrill to be on Kibbutz Lotan. I loved the Shabbat and holiday celebrations; the discussions over meals with people from different countries; and the friendships with Kibbutz Lotan members. The hikes and field trips were wonderful. I returned a much stronger person: mentally, physically, and spiritually.” Madeleine Charney (March – Jun 2002) “During my GA experience, I was accepted into a Master's program in ecological design back in Massachusetts (www.csld.edu). My decision to attend was definitely inspired by being in the midst of a hands-on tikkum olam experience. The fact that it was in Israel deepened the experience . I knew that I wanted to play a more active role in healing the earth and this degree would facilitate that effort. I am ever grateful to all my teachers at Lotan for generously sharing their wisdom and knowledge, particularly Mike Kaplin, Alex Cicelsky, and Leah Zigmond . My experience at Lotan was a distinct springboard toward beginning a new career and refreshing an old one (librarianship). Living and working at Lotan was an unforgettable and transformative experience, both personally and professionally. I look back on those three months with great amazement, at what I accomplished in three short months and what the kibbutz has accomplished in twenty short years. I highly recommend this excellent program!” Contact Lotan Center for Creative EcologyMark Naveh |