JCPA Highlights JCRC's Environmental Study Tour

Upon returning to Boston from her recent study tour to Israel with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, Leigh Walls reflected, “At the end of the JCRC Boston trip, I think I have a much better understanding of Israel and the complexity of life in the Middle East and a better appreciation of traditional and high-tech approaches to addressing a variety of environmental challenges.”  Walls participated in the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston’s Environmental Study Tour to Israel this August, which arranged for 13 individuals from Boston’s environmental professional community to travel and study in Israel.  Over 9 days, members of the New England delegation criss-crossed the country to see and learn about Israel’s environmental successes and challenges.
        
Part of a larger effort to build a broader support network for Israel, the Boston JCRC organizes theme focused study tours for Boston professionals from a variety of fields. Aiming to provide a nuanced understanding of Israel, the focus on the environment provided insight into the interconnectedness of  geo-political, religious, cultural, environmental and social factors in the region. The JCRC also aims to connect participants to Israel by fostering relationships between peers in Israel and Massachusetts to encourage the exchange of best practices and the building of cross cultural networks to advance mutual goals. 
       
Over the past decade, Israel’s green technology advances as well as environmental policies have placed this Middle Eastern nation on the international radar, drawing attention and acclaim for such innovations as battery powered electric vehicles and  water conservation practices. Boston JCRC’s leaders thought that exposing environmental professionals from New England to this sector in Israel would be a powerful way to introduce them to the country as well and hopefully even enrich their work back in Boston.

To begin the process of recruitment, JCRC staff worked closely with lay leaders who work in environmental organizations and initiatives in the Greater Boston area.  JCRC lay leaders worked their professional networks to personally invite colleagues in the field to participate in the study tour. Our leaders succeeded in populating the study tour with professionals from various environmental fields including employees from the Environmental Protection Agency, conservation lobbyists, energy lobbyists, attorneys focusing on regulation and others.

The itinerary focused on a multitude of issues relating to the environment. Our delegation met with NGO’s working on issues such as water sharing, water treatment, public health, and pollution reduction and several focused on collaboration among Israeli Jews and Arabs and Palestinians from the West Bank and Jordan. The delegation visited the industry sector, including the Dead Sea Works, to gain more insight inoto the industry’s efforts to reduce detrimental effects on the environment. Additionally, the group heard from environmental experts and companies at the forefront of the clean technology sector. A highlight was our visit to Shai Agassi’s A Better Place where the group learned about the electric car revolution and test drove the cars. Although many of the site visits had an environmental focus, the group also saw and learned about social, political, religious and historical aspects of Israel. For example, by learning about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the lens of the environment, the group understood the complexity of addressing environmental issues cooperatively, as air and water know no boundaries. As Montira Pongisri, a participant of the study tour and employee at Environmental Protection Agency, stated, “Many professionals would greatly benefit and be inspired in their work, which is much more than the environment; it is an integration of social, economic, and political with the environment to improve our communities.”

Since the delegation’s return to Boston, participants have expressed interest in connecting with their Israeli counterparts and the Boston JCRC. Participants are making presentations to their colleagues and friends as well as writing articles on their experiences. Many connections made in Israel with their peers have continued including the exchange of useful studies and information.
        
After the success of the Environmental Study Tour, the JCRC of Greater Boston plans to continue to organize similar opportunities for professionals in other fields. As participant Abigail Anthony, an energy lobbyist for Environment Northeast wrote, “Amazing trip- terrific itinerary, guide and programs. Enriching, educational and inspiring from a religious, professional and personal perspective.”

Written by Hilary Stiss, Program Coordinator for the Israel and International partnerships Department of the Boston JCRC who was one of the co-leaders of the trip.

For a link to the article on JCPA's website, click here.