At the Arava Institute, the idea that nature knows no political borders is more than a belief. It is a fact, a curriculum, and a way of life .

With a student body comprised of Jordanians, Palestinians, Israelis, and participants from around the world, the Arava Institute offers students an exceptional opportunity to learn from leading professionals while forming friendships and developing skills that enable them to lead the region and the world in solving today’s most pressing environmental challenges.

CEO of the Friends of the Arava Institute, Rachel Kalikow reports on their latest four month residential programme for young people.

It’s always an exciting time as a group begins their four-month journey of living and learning together in an intentional community.  This semester, our campus is home to students from various local communities—both Jewish and Arab—including Jaffa, Tel Aviv, the Galilee, Jerusalem, and Haifa.

The past few months have been challenging in so many ways for our community—our students, alumni, faculty, and staff. And yet, just like every semester, we received applications from Israeli Jews, Palestinian citizens of Israel, Palestinians from the West Bank, and others, all eager to learn and live together. Their willingness to show up, even in difficult times, is a powerful reminder that young people are still choosing hope, connection, and a shared future.

The spring 2025 semester kicked off with a weeklong orientation aimed at helping students connect through icebreakers, conversations, and shared meals. They explored the stunning Arava region with a desert full moon hike and joined the Kibbutz Ketura community for a festive Tu Bishvat celebration—a Jewish holiday focused on trees and the health of the planet. Despite the issues of the past few weeks, we’ve laid the foundation for a supportive and engaged community

At the end of the fall semester, one of the Palestinian Israeli students shared:
“We are constantly pressured to choose one side and hate the other. Both sides in this conflict are suffering and you have to solve the conflict for everyone – that is the path of morality and humanity.”

These words serve as a reminder that choosing to come to the Arava Institute for a semester of learning is a courageous decision for our students and interns. Building trust through personal connections is key to empowering these young leaders to tackle the growing threat of climate change. We look forward to another semester of strong relationships, thought-provoking discussions, and lasting impact.