Mission highlighted Israel’s achievements in fighting climate change.

Bob Mattler
I was invited by the National Adamah group to join their staff and 30 other climate activist lay leaders from around the country, England and Canada, to learn more about our joint Israeli-Diaspora mission to help fight climate change.
I am deeply grateful to Adamah for the opportunity to experience Israel in a way unlike any of my previous visits. This was not a sightseeing tour; it was about peoplehood, planethood and problem-solving — focusing on one of the greatest challenges of our time: climate change.

Planting trees and preparing a therapeutic garden with Venatata.
My fellow travelers on this journey were leaders in their Jewish communities, working to bring this crucial work to others, regardless of religious, cultural, political or national differences. Their dedication should be recognized and celebrated.
Upon landing in Israel, I immediately felt as though I were entering a house of shivah. From Ben Gurion Airport to the streets, roundabouts, stores, restaurants, Tel Aviv boardwalk and train/bus stations, reminders of the country’s ongoing trauma were everywhere. Yellow ribbons and the faces of the dead and hostages lined the streets, making it impossible to forget the pain that lingers. This feeling was crystalized by a visit to Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, where I spoke with kibbutz survivors and Nova Festival attendees who shared their harrowing experiences.
This trauma brought me back to my first trip to Israel as a 17-year-old in the summer of 1974, just eight months after the Yom Kippur War. At that time, Israel was still reeling from the trauma of war, struggling with the weight of heavy losses. Ceasefire agreements with Egypt and Syria had been signed only a month before my arrival with Camp Ramah Canada for an eight-week journey across the country. It is deeply saddening that throughout my entire life, this land has known so much war, hostility and trauma.
A Start-Up Nation Amidst Growth and Innovation
Despite its challenges, Israel remains a “start-up nation” — a beacon of resilience and innovation.

Adamah group on the Mediterranean beach near Ashkelon.
People often forget that, with all its advancements in technology, agriculture, mass transit and booming construction, Israel is still a young nation — just 77 years old, nearly four times younger than the U.S.

Landing in Tel Aviv on Shabbat, I was struck by the city’s transformation. Walking along the scenic promenade on a beautiful early spring day, I marveled at the “miracle of modern-day Israel.” It had been seven years since my last visit, and Tel Aviv was nearly unrecognizable with its new skyscrapers, light rail, roads, and bridges — though, of course, the traffic remains intense. As one of the fastest growing and most expensive cities in the world, Tel Aviv is a testament to Israel’s economic dynamism.
We had an enlightening walk and talk with Dr. Boaz Keder, the sustainability director of Tel Aviv, who introduced us to the city’s efforts to become more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly (Park Mesila). We also saw the newly completed Net Zero pergola on the Tel Aviv promenade. After an incredible Ethiopian lunch with Beta Israel community representatives, we visited Tel Aviv City Hall, where we spoke via Zoom with Dr. Noah Efron, a Tel Aviv City Council member and longtime advocate for sustainability in Israel.
From Grief to Renewal
Israel is always a mix of contrasts — old and new, sorrow and joy, solitude and community, exhaustion and revival. Nowhere was this more apparent than during our visit to the hallowed grounds of the Nova Festival site. This visit was raw and emotional. The memorials to the fallen serve as a solemn reminder of the tragedy, ensuring that Israelis and the Jewish diaspora will never forget.
Yet, within 90 minutes of this visit, we found ourselves on the beach in Ashkelon, learning about the efforts of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) to safeguard Israel’s coastline. As Israel’s oldest and largest environmental nonprofit, SPNI has spent 60 years protecting the country’s natural resources. After our briefing, we took a moment to appreciate the Mediterranean views, and a few of us even braved the cold waters for a refreshing dip.
Israel’s Role in Combating Climate Change
Several stops on our tour highlighted Israel’s commitment to addressing climate change. We visited:
• Project Wadir, a joint Israeli-Bedouin farm focused on sustainable agriculture
• Al Foura Net Zero School, an innovative initiative in an unrecognized Bedouin village
• Planetech in Jaffa, where groundbreaking environmental solutions are being developed
While Israel has no shortage of creative solutions for the world’s climate challenges, what’s missing is a coordinated governmental strategy to scale these initiatives. Many discussions revolved around how Jews worldwide could help coordinate these efforts, ensuring that Israel’s best climate technologies gain global recognition.
We share one planet and a rapidly closing window to prevent climate catastrophe. While I am heartened by the many environmental organizations in Israel tackling this crisis, it is shameful that the government is not taking the lead.
Then again, it’s hard to point fingers when even our own federal government fails to take climate change seriously.
Nevertheless, this work continues at the local, state, and regional levels, driven by individuals committed to being part of the solution.

Joyous singing around a campfire after Havdalah service in the hills near Jerusalem at Kibbutz Maale Hachamisha.
To my new friends from this journey — your passion, dedication and willingness to take action inspire me. I am forever grateful for our shared experience in Israel, and I look forward to continuing this work together.
Let’s keep building bridges between Israel and the diaspora to create a more sustainable future for all.
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