Kibbutz Lotan

Logo of the Global Ecovillage Network with interconnected leaf and flower design.
  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Established
  • Hebrew
  • Ecological
  • Rural

Founding year

  • 1997

What we do

Kibbutz Lotan is located in the far South of Israel, 55 kmorth of Eilat. “Members” of the cooperative fluctuate between 45-65, 4070 children. The community is multi-generational with students and volunteers from Israel and abroad coming for educational programmes. We are a cooperative settlement, jointly owning the land, community buildings and means of production. Joint economic initiatives include date orchards, dairy, photovoltaic electricity production, eco-tourism guest house and our Center for Creative Ecology. Members are responsible for their income and pay community taxes to maintain an extensive level of community services including wages of administrators, youth education and cultural life.
We apply the Biblical injunction “to till and to preserve” (Genesis 2:15) as well as the ancient Rabbinic ruling “do not destroy” into our way of life in our fragile desert environment. To this end we have established the Center for Creative Ecology (CfCE) – an ecological demonstration, education and research institute which deals with recycling, local organic food production, energy efficient housing, renewable energy, water conservation and sanitation, nature conservation and community engagement in environmental awareness and action. Kibbutz Lotan is recognized as a pioneer in community recycling of waste and in using waste in construction. The organic garden was the first CSA (community supported agriculture – subscription farm to table service) in Israel, and today supplies fresh vegetables to our Solar Restaurant. We maintain a Nature and Bird Reserve and two natural history trails adjacent to the community. We have been active in developing natural construction, specializing in earthquake resistant and energy efficient straw bale construction, including testing of these materials with the Standards Institute of Israel.

  • Purpose
  • Ecological
  • Languages
  • Hebrew
  • Russian
  • Spanish
  • Community type
  • Ecovillage
  • Spiritual Retreat Centers
  • Activities
  • Permaculture
  • Education

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 1997
  • Started living together
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
  • Open to volunteers
Total
200

How to join

Non-working Guests welcome, Volunteers welcome

Guest Book

Written reviews are available for plus members. Click here to upgrade.

Promoted Needs and Offers

  • Events
8 years ago

Awakening Leadership Training

Awakening Leadership Training is a 6 month empowerment training based in Thailand that weaves inner transformation and societal understanding with techniques for community building and effective mindful leadership. It provides space for dialogue, reflection and contemplation on the deep questions facing humanity and our planet. It will help you to take new steps with increased confidence, broadened perspective, and enhanced social change skills. You can join for one week, or the full 6 month course, engaging in the learning process that emphasises inner cultivation as a foundation for fostering new paradigm leadership. About This program is developed in partnership with Gaia Education, and is offering a pioneering Advanced Ecovillage Design Education certification. The learning journey integrates and deepens exploration of four dimensions of sustainability: social, economic, worldview and ecological, as well as incorporating a fifth dimension on Skillful Means for Social Transformation. The program is based at Wongsanit Ashram (near Bangkok) eco-community, and we will take journeys to live and learn with indigenous, grassroot and intentional communities across Thailand, explore and experiment with community building and self governance, and participate in the co-creation of knowledge together. It is designed to support people committed to social change to: HEART – Deepen self awareness and compassion to stay balanced to cope with the uncertainties of the present world situation HEAD – Broaden perspectives on social and environmental issues HANDS – Develop practical skills and meta-skills SPIRIT – Cultivate Right Mindfulness as the key factor for awakening Highlights The journey grounded in critical self awareness as a foundation for personal growth. Mindfulness practice is embedded into the daily rhythms in order for participants to become present, calm and develop emotional stability, empathy and comp
  • Events
10 years ago

Curso Tratamiento EcolĂłgico de Agua

Desde la Ecoaldea Los Guindales y Colectivo Paissano les invitamos a participar en el curso formaciĂłn sobre el agua, el recurso mas importante para la vida. Durante los 10 dĂ­as de experiencia de convivencia y compartir vamos a enfocarnos principalmente en el tema del diseño y construcciĂłn de un sistema de bajo costo para tratar las aguas residuales y reutilizarlas para riego. Además, trataremos de cubrir otros aspectos del uso consciente del agua, como su potabilizaciĂłn, aprovechamiento de agua lluvia y creaciĂłn de pequeños ecosistemas acuáticos – estanques y piscinas naturales. ÂżPara quiĂ©n? El curso está dirigido a: Personas interesadas en autoconstrucciĂłn de un sistema de fitodepuraciĂłn y aprovechamiento en sus casas Pequeños constructores y arquitectos que quieren profundizar el diseño de sistemas de aprovechamiento de agua Personas interesadas en soluciones accesibles para mejorar los hábitos del uso y la calidad del agua, tanto en el ámbito rural como urbano Todos interesados en profundizar y entender mejor el ciclo natural del agua y la interactuaciĂłn humana dentro de Ă©l Parte teĂłrica: Ciclo natural del agua – ÂżporquĂ© tratar aguas residuales? FitodepuraciĂłn de aguas residuales – parámetros fisicoquĂ­micos y biolĂłgicos de aguas residuales, tipos de tratamiento, herramientas para el diseño de un sistema casero de fitodepuraciĂłn con consejos prácticos PotabilizaciĂłn del agua – tipos de contaminaciĂłn y estrategias de su eliminaciĂłn, potabilizaciĂłn y mejora de calidad del agua urbana y rural Aprovechamiento de agua lluvia – análisis climático, cálculos del potencial de aprovechamiento, almacenamiento, tratamiento y posibles usos Pequeños ecosistemas acuáticos – estanques y piscinas naturales – parámetros importantes para su equilibrio y tipos de plantas acuáticas, impermeabilizac
  • Events
12 years ago

Curso Certificado Diseño Permacultur

Diseña para la vida con permacultura La Permacultura nos ofrece nuevas formas de pensar, hacer y ser que pueden ser utilizadas individual y colectivamente para crear culturas humanas sostenibles en armonía con la naturaleza. Curso de 90 horas con Certificación Internacional El Temario incluye, entre otros: ética y principios, practicas de diseños, gestión del agua, el suelo, agricultura regenerativa, bioconstrucción, energía, nuevas economías, aplicación ecológica y humana: al hogar, la huerta, el vecindario, la comunidad, región, … Además: Actividades prácticas, Ecología profunda, Dragon Dreaming, Ecoaldeas, Moneda local… El aspecto residencial del curso nos permitirá vivir la Permacultura de forma tangible en el día a día. A nivel ecológico el sumergirnos en la aldea “eco” de Los Molinos y experimentar por 2 semanas como se vive utilizando principios, éticas y técnicas. A nivel humano, seremos parte de una comunidad que formaremos participantes, facilitadores, organizadores y otras personas afines. Crearemos espacios para la interconexión y creación de redes, intercambio de habilidades y auto-organización de talleres y actividades alternativas y también para soñar y celebrar junt@s!! Facilitadores: Antonio Scotti, Kirsty Heron, Maria Vela, Jesús Ledesma, Jef Carrick y Patricia Cañas. Con la posibilidad de contar con otr@s facilitadores invitad@s.. Inversión: 575 €para reservas antes del 30 de Septiembre 605€ para inscripciones a partir del 1 de Octubre 345€ para personas que ya hayan cursado un CDP y tengan el Certificado. Incluye curso y materiales. También todas las comidas (ecológica) y alojamiento en proyectos ecológicos y sostenibles – Sunseed, El Mirador y La Pita-Escuela DESCUENTOS Y BECAS: ofrecemos un descuento de 5% a miembros de diversas asociaciones y posibilidad de 1 plaza becada. Estamos abiert@s a intercambios y colaboraciones por productos y servicios que nos sean de utilidad. Lugar: Los Molinos del Río Aguas – u

Information

Communities

A residential project: people live here as their primary home.

Organizations

An institution, business, network, or project that isn’t a residence (e.g. a learning center, farm, or network with no one living there full-time).

Become a + Community Member

  • Send Direct Messages and see contact information
  • Find communities based on your profile tool
  • Post Needs & Offers Listings and Events
  • Access to resources in the Members Library /// like vetted documents uploaded by communites (e.g. bylaws )
  • Member badge on your profile
  • View communities detailed reviews
  • Create Private Groups
I am an official member of this community
Disclaimer
I affirm that my information is accurate and I am authorized to manage this listing

Free Plan

Free plan
Free

Intentional Advertising

  • Subtotal

    {{ currencyFormat( pricing_summary.total_amount ) }}

Become a + Member

  • Send Direct Messages and see contact information
  • Find communities based on your profile tool
  • Post Needs & Offers Listings and Events
  • Access to free resources in the Members Library
  • Member badge on your profile
  • View communities detailed reviews
  • Create Private Groups