Israeli and Jersey Teens Make an Eco-Connection

Sviva Israel has launched Eco Campus 3D, a virtual school network that provides educators, parents and children and teens aged 8-15, a safe, interactive environment to learn and share sound environmental practices, resources and experiences with Israeli and Jewish students around the world.

The Campus contains educational tools, social networking and community features to encourage young people in and out of school to improve their environmental habits. Both U.S. and Israeli teachers are being trained in its use.

Here’s what one community in New Jersey is doing to build connection.
from New Jersey Jewish News:

Students make ‘Eco Connection’ with Israel

Area students explored the connection between Israel, the environment, and the Jewish community in the latest visit by an Israeli environmental group that is partnering with local schools and synagogues.

Carmi Wisemon, executive director of the “green” organization Sviva Israel, conducted a program for fifth-graders at Temple Beth Miriam’s Eisenberg-Bierman Religious School in Elberon on Dec. 19, and the next day for the seventh grade at Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County in Marlboro.

Sviva Israel’s Eco Connection workshops are sponsored by Jewish Federation of Monmouth County, and connect the American students with their Israeli counterparts in the Arad-Tamar region of Israel, a federation sister community under the Partnership 2000 program.

Wisemon said the workshops have three goals. The first is “a simple environmental lesson of understanding how we impact the environment.” The second is to cite Jewish sources that are relevant to modern life.

“And the third,” he said, “is to create a common language between children in Israel and the United States. They are all part of klal Yisrael.”