EcoTourism in Israel -- lots of info, one website!

I have just discovered a wonderful website for those thinking about a Green Bar or Bat Mitzvah in Israel. It is called EcoTourism Israel and can be found at http://www.ecotourism-israel.com/Index.htm
in English and in Hebrew.

EcoTourism Israel is dedicated to supporting green and sustainable eco-tourism by connecting businesses in the industry with tourists looking for eco-friendly vacations.
The site is well organized, with 4 main categories:

National and Cultural sites which includes a list of National Parks and Nature Reserves, World Heritage Sites and other sites of cultural interest. This section is full of useful information and reliable links to the Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority website.

The Activities section has everything from mountain biking, desert archery, solar powered go-carts, to basket weaving, bird watching and bee keeping. You will surely find just the right activities to keep all the members of your family entertained and green in Israel.

The Accomodations section has everything, for any budget - hotels, motels, and guest houses to organic farms and camping sites. Many of these businesses are especially interested in solar energy, water conservation, and other issues specific to sustainable life in Israel, a typical Mediterranean climate.
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Food – Restaurants, pubs and cafes of course - but also organic farms, wineries, cheese making workshops, olive oil presses, and more.

Michal Wimmer-Luria, one of the founders of EcoTourism Israel, is interested in working with Green Bar Mitzvahs in Israel in order to make her partners aware of the needs and interests of families coming from abroad to celebrate bar and bat mitzvahs in Israel. She encourages interested families to contact the partners directly with inquiries.

You are also welcome to ask me any questions regarding green bar and bat mitzvahs in Israel.

Send me an email - I look forward to hearing from you!
Martha@greenbarmitzvahs.com

Thinking Green and Thinking about Israel

We are delighted to begin this new blog, Green Bar (and Bat!!) Mitzvahs in Israel.
If you are planning your event from the USA or anyplace outside Israel, it may seem that traveling over seas for a Bar Mitzvah couldn’t possibly be considered green, in fact, the impact of a Bar Mitzvah abroad can be about the same as one at home. Although you have to fly to get there, which contributes to green house gas emissions, these ceremonies tend to be much smaller and generate less waste.

That said, and putting environmental concerns aside for the moment, there are many other significant reasons to have your Bat Mitzvah in Israel – perhaps to experience Israel firsthand, or to reconnect with distant relatives – that make a celebration in Israel an appropriate and meaningful choice for some families. A Bar Mitzvah in Israel, or post Bar Mitzvah visit, affords the opportunity to participate in Tikun Olam (the repairing of the world) by visiting, volunteering and supporting environmentalism efforts in Israel.

So – regardless of your reasons, the fact is if you choose to make your bar or bat mitzvah in Israel, or if you already live in Israel, then there are many ways to green the event – we will investigate and discuss everything from organic caterers to sunrise ceremonies, from eco-tours to entertainment.