ECO ISRAEL

LIVE THE LAND

Spring Semester

2020

February 19th

July 17th

Fall Semester

2020

September 2020 –

February 2021

COST

The overall cost of the program for 5 months is $6,900, , which includes full housing, food, classes, materials & field trips. Masa offers grants and scholarships between $1200 and $6000, according to eligibility
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Why to go deep?

Our semester programs offers students a more in-depth and all-encompassing experience of permaculture, sustainability, communal living, Israel and Jewish peoplehood. Students in our semester program receive an internationally recognized certificate in permaculture design (PDC). The extended length of the program allows us to broaden our curriculum to include more hands-on opportunities and additional coursework.

Way Of Living

We believe that exploring ecology, sustainability and permaculture by studying a website or hearing a lecture is not enough. Sure, one can learn a lot about composting and the benefits of using a compost toilet from a book. However, actually using one for several weeks or even months results in an experiential shift in one’s understanding that renders using a “conventional” flush toilet a surreal experience.

This sort of consciousness shift can only occur by doing. That is, by living a truly sustainable lifestyle first-hand. With this in mind, Eco-Israel on the Hava & Adam Farm takes our cues from nature, and teaches via this very simple principle – learning by doing.

The vision and driving force of our curriculum is sustainable living through a balance of classroom coursework and hands-on fieldwork. Permaculture provides an exquisite framework and guide as we embark on the journey to sustainability. Permaculture is a model of design that is inspired and mimics nature’s ways and patterns. It is at the center of our curriculum and informs all aspects of our work on the farm.

Permaculture Design Course:

Who is more sustainable than Mother Earth? By observing the ways and patterns found in nature, we can design systems that are inspired by and mimic natural systems thereby achieving not only sustainability but abundance and plentitude. Permaculture and other models of sustainable living all involve a reunion with Mother Earth and her cyclical, super-efficient ways.

The course offers international certification (PDC) upon completion. We cover the ethics and principles of permaculture and several design methods such as zone & sector analysis, component analysis and more. Classes are devoted specifically to observation, soil, water, gardening, sustainable gardening & farming, composting, green & natural building, social permaculture, sustainable economics and urban sustainability. There is a final design project, done individually or in small groups, guided by PDC teacher.

Medicinal Herbs:

The introductory course of Medicinal Herbs gives a glance on the medicinal power of plants, how are they linked to our systems and how to actually use them to prevent wilness, for hygiene and aesthetics. Learn how to make soap, salves, creams, etc. and to extract essential oils for therapeutic uses, or to use in making products from natural materials that are grown on the farm!

Mud Building:

The mud building course teaches about several natural building methods. It reveals some of the ancient knowledge of sustainable building and allows the creation of different furniture and structures with very handy and basic materials. The course is very hands on and there are many opportunities to get your hands dirty building with mud!

Green Building:

Learn how to plan, fix and build structures and furniture from wood and recycled materials. Let it be working with the Construction team or in Projects time, coordinators will guide you on how to use tools, reuse all sort of materials and build & fix according to the needs.

Hebrew & Jewish Heritage:

Have a taste of the ancient language and learn about the connection of Judaism with the natural elements and self-development. Jewish Heritage is taught once a week for the whole group and connects to nature and spiritualism.

Hebrew weekly classes are taught in small groups divided into different levels. Classes are supported by additional opportunities to engage with the Israelis in Service Year (18-19 y.o.) and National Service (20+ y.o.) who live and work at the farm.

Field Trips:

Three Field Trips part of the Eco-Israel curriculum, when we travel, hike and explore Israel from the Negev Desert to the Golan. These trips cover a variety of ecological, cultural and historical points of interest in Israel divided into North Trip, South Trip and a hike to Jerusalem!