The Heschel Center, in partnership with the Karev Educational Initiative, has cultivated the Green School Network – a growing web of schools that have embraced sustainability as a central part of their educational vision.

 

Through the Green Network, over a hundred schools throughout the country, representing the wide gamut of the Israeli student body - Jewish and Arab, secular and religious, rich and poor, urban and rural – create environmental leadership and implement community-based projects, thus creating a bridge between schools and communities. We believe that these kinds of projects will develop a wider awareness for the environment among the Israeli public.

 

The Green Schools Network, in cooperation with the Karev Educational Initiatives, can now be found in over 500 kindergartens and schools throughout Israel. The Green School Network’s significant activities have resulted in a deepening of the Ministry of Environment's commitment to sustainability education, and the expansion of ties between governmental and non-governmental initiatives.

 

Thoughts from participants

"I feel that I have become a different kind of citizen, now understanding what personal responsibility means. Beforehand I gave students information, but I wasn’t trying to impact my students’ values and behavior. Environmental action helped me become more aware of myself; giving me the ability to lead and promote an educational process that influences others".

 

- Ilana Kruchmer, Green School Network teacher-leader

 

"To me, being an environmental leader is a mission. And I am proud to be among the people who are making the world a better place".

 

- Yuval Malci, 10, Rosh Haayin

 

Background

The Green Network -“HaReshet HaYeruka” - was established in Israel in 1998 with the aim of positioning environmental education on the agenda of Israeli schools. Today, it is a cutting-edge program that is creating a new paradigm for environmental education in Israel.

 

We believe that school needs to be a place that teaches students to be responsible, critical citizens with a strong "sense of place" from which to act. With this in mind, the Green Network develops programs that support schools in Israel to heighten environmental literacy and "action competence" – that is, the willingness and ability of people to take action and create change towards greater environmental sustainability.

 

The Green School Network does this by:

 

Expanding environmental action in schools – The Green School Network support schools to cultivate grassroots environmental involvement including: setting up recycling centers in schools, water conservation, composting, organic gardens and local environmental campaigns. These activities actively involve parents and civic groups, raising awareness and impacting environmental attitudes in the wider community.

 

Empowering teachers for change – The Green School Network plays a significant role in strengthening teacher’s capacity as environmental educators in Israel. Through the Green Network, teachers meet colleagues, share ideas, study together and develop collaborative projects between schools. The Green Network also provides a context for expanding the discourse of environmental education amongst teachers, and serves as a vehicle for disseminating ideas, concepts and good practices in schools.

 

Empowering students for change – A highlight of the Green School Network activity throughout the year is the National Young Environmentalist Conference which brings together hundreds of young people from schools all over the country to meet and to learn about environmental issues and how to become activists. The National Conference is an opportunity to inspire young people that they are not alone in their hopes and dreams for a better world. An additional central aim is also highly practical: young citizens today are the leaders and policy makers of tomorrow. They can learn the skills and upgrade their "action competence" and capacity to act as involved citizens.