Eco-Activist Beit Midrash offers an alternative (and ecological) alternative to the traditional yeshiva experience.

The Eco-Activist Beit Midrash (EABM) based in Jerusalem has been devoted to a Jewish approach to environmentalism for a long time.  In their own words, they are trying to “bring Torah down to earth.”  And now they are sharing their approach with those unable to stay in Israel for extended periods of time with their 2010 summer session that explores ecology and Judaism all over Israel.

Click here to view the embedded video.

As EABM describes the program:

“Jews aged 20-40 from diverse backgrounds come together, drawn by their common interest in exploring a Jewish approach to environmentalism, while volunteering and meeting the Israeli eco-scene. The program is a project in pluralism as we welcome and combine our personal paths in a sincere exploration of the relevance, and potential contribution, of Torah wisdom to one of today’s most important issues, while rolling up our sleeves alongside Israel’s environmentalists.”

In addition, participants in the summer session will also experience Jewish studies of the Chumash, Talmud, Jewish philosophy and Chassidut that examine environmental issues.  No previous background in Jewish learning is necessary, though, to enroll in the program.

Some of the environmental organizations that EABM has collaborated with in order to plan its summer session include the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel and the Jerusalem community garden project.

Eco-Activist Beit Midrash Summer Session takes place between July 2nd – July 30th.  For more information and to register, visit the yeshiva’s website.

Read more about religion and environmentalism::

Rabbi Julian joins with other faiths to ‘Love God, Heal Earth’

Faith & the Environment: Multi-faith Perspectives

Muslims Adopt a 7-Year Plan as Part of Islam’s Green Agenda

The USA allows them, and the EU has banned them, but the controversy over genetically modified foods is far from over, globally or in the Middle East. While Israel prohibits the import of genetically modified seeds, according to a 2009 article in Haaretz, even green-savvy consumers may be eating their fair share of Frankenfoods. (Genetically enhanced food sold unmarked).

“Agricultural products that underwent genetic engineering are sold in Israel without any marking to inform consumers, according to Milouda Quality Control Laboratories, which was testing food products containing soybeans…. The tests found that some baked goods, packaged schnitzel products and meat substitutes sold in stores around Israel contained soybeans that were essentially genetically modified organisms.”

This information isn’t new to readers of Greenprophet.com. We’ve cautioned readers on the dangers of this technology in previous articles (Israeli consumers at risk from GM foods), and on the importance of eating organic. Now, however, more recent research suggests that GM foods could have colossal consequences on our sexual health. In other words, eat genetically engineered foods at your own reproductive risk.

Dr. Jeffrey M. Smith is the author of Seeds of Deception and Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods. In an article published March 2010 on Mercola.com, he covers many of the danger angles, including some that are very eco-unsexy. He’s not alone in tooting the trumpet of concern. Dr. Joseph Mercola, the founder of Mercola.com, recently was named the “Ultimate Game Changer in Wellness by Huffington Post.” They are just two in the medical field working to educate the public about GM foods.

The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) is also extending its green arm to the cause, and has suggested that physicians prescribe non-GM diets to all patients. Quoting Dr. Smith, “They called for a moratorium on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), long-term independent studies, and labeling, stating, “Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food, including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system…There is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects. There is causation…” (Doctors Warn: Avoid Genetically Modified Foods)

The evidence is enough to shrivel even the boldest pair. From birth defects, to infertility, to altered testicle color and size in animal studies, GM foods may be the beginning of the end of safe sex as we now know and enjoy it.

Dr. Smith writes:

“GM foods are particularly dangerous for pregnant moms and children. After GM soy was fed to female rats, most of their babies died—compared to 10 percent deaths among controls fed natural soy.² GM-fed babies were smaller, and possibly infertile.³

Testicles of rats fed GM soy changed from the normal pink to dark blue.⁴ Mice fed GM soy also had altered young sperm.⁵

Embryos of GM soy-fed parent mice had changed DNA.⁶ And mice fed GM corn had fewer, and smaller, babies.⁷

In Haryana, India, most buffalo that ate GM cottonseed had reproductive complications such as premature deliveries, abortions, and infertility; many calves died.

About two-dozen US farmers said thousands of pigs became sterile from certain GM corn varieties. Some had false pregnancies; others gave birth to bags of water. Cows and bulls also became infertile.⁸

In the US, incidence of low birth weight babies, infertility, and infant mortality are all escalating.”

While it is true that “scientific progress on molecular biology has a great potential to increase our understanding of nature and provide new medical tools,” until we know more about the risks, environmental and otherwise, it behooves scientists, citizens and governments to avoid “turning the environment into a giant genetic experiment” (Greenpeace EU).

So what can the average reader do with this information, in the Middle East or abroad? Our suggestion is to stay informed on the topic, and find out where you can purchase food free of genetic voodoo. If a label is iffy, find an alternative that you know is GM free.

Since 1996, these foods have slowly been entering our everyday lives, yet GM activism is still in its infancy in this part of the world. But as evidence mounts, and people respond at the grass-roots level, we may be able to score one for Mother Nature, and zero for those who want to experiment with her perfection, or our sexual wellbeing.

More food, sex and health:

Genetically Modified Hype in Israel

Are You and Eco-Sexual?

How Green is Your Garlic?

Greenprophet visits Amirim, a Vegetarian Paradise in the Galilee

Netanyahu ‘wins’ a Black Globe Award as a statement that he should improve his environmental reform plan, and other organizations win positive Green Globes

Earth Hour wasn’t the only way that Israel celebrated Earth Day this past Thursday – it was also the day that Life and Environment warded its annual Green and Black Globe awards.  Taking place for the seventh year in a row this year, the award recognizes the positive efforts of Israeli environmental organizations, activists, groups, and companies.  It also recognizes, however, parties responsible for actions that harm the environment.

This year’s Black Globe was awarded to Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, for his proposed environmental planning reform.  Environmentalists claim that this plan would reduce public involvement in environmental planning and give more power to local planning committees (which are often less reliable than national planning committees).

But on to more positive endeavors.

The Committee to Save Palmahim Beach, a small organization formed to prevent the construction of a 350 vacation apartment complex on the beach, was awarded a Green Globe for its efforts to protect open spaces.

The Green Globe Volunteer Award went to Amit Mendelson, an engineer and urban planner, who has been working towards protecting open spaces in the country’s central region.

PowerSines (read more about them here) won the Green Globe Award for the business sector.  The company, based on Or Yehuda, has developed a technology that ensures that the exact necessary amount of voltage is sent to lighting systems and electric motors, potentially saving consumers approximately 38% in electricity consumption.

The Jewish-Arab group, the Public Committee to Protect the Environment in Kfar Kanna, Mashhad and Mitzpe Hoshaya, was awarded a Green Globe for successfully preventing an aluminum casting factory from being built in the Tziporit industrial area.  The construction of the factory would have seriously polluted the region.

Good Water Neighbors, Friends of the Middle East was recognized for its strides in environmental education.  To date, this incredible organization has created partnerships between 25 Israeli, Jordanian, and Palestinian communities.

Sharon Nissim was awarded the Civil Servant Green Globe for her efforts to rehabilitate the polluted Kishon Stream.

The Urban Sustainability Green Globe went to Community Gardens (like the one for seniors we wrote about)- an effort that began in Jerusalem and which has spread to cities all over the country.  Approximately 200 community gardens are currently active throughout Israel, and are an important statement about the potential for urban sustainability.

:: Jerusalem Post

Read more about environmental awards throughout the Middle East::
Environmental Solar Company Awarded Enviro Prize, and Busts Arab Stereotypes
Our Friends from “Friends of the Earth Middle East” Get $750,000 from Skoll for Water Work
New Student Center at Beirut’s American University Wins Top Architectural Green Award