Friends of the Arava Institute
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I am getting ready to ride in the Israel Ride, a bike ride across Israel that raises funds for the Arava Institute and Hazon. The more I hear about and read about the Arava Institute, the more excited I get about the work they are doing, in truly living and working with their motto that nature knows no borders. I am looking forward to meeting the people there and seeing first hand how they bring people together across lines of pain and anger and hurt, to heal the Earth.
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
bring peace to the Middle East!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
An amazing organization which deserves our support! We need more organizations helping Israelis, Palestinians and their neighbors to see that we are all part of this fragile world, and we need to work together if we are to survive.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my daughters expanded vision of Israel and it's neighbors after spending a semester there.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
bring more people from the different communities together to knock down stereotypes and to learn to work together.
Ways to make it better...
it had more funding
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
money
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I am 84 and have been a contributor to the Arava Institute for as long as Michael Cohen has been a part of it. That's how long I have heard of the results of the friendships forged by this Institute.A Muslim girl in modest dress was frightened by an Israeli student returning from the Reserve, wearing Army garb. He too was alarmed. Later as they took classes together they became good friends. Another incident was Michael's response to a student who had to return to Gaza during the Israeli Occupation. He phoned Michael. His village was in desperate need of food and medicine.Michael and others loaded up trucks with food and medical supplies. Then both met at a mid point after convincing soldiers at checkpoints of the validity of their trips. They sat in the desert, had lunch, transferred the supplies and returned home.Students may later be part of their gov'ts and can be part of achieving a true Middle East peace.
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
could have lots of strong friendships among Israelis, Palestians, Jordanians and US Americans makeing the peace process morelikely and the peace and enduring one.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I rode in the November 2008 Israel Bike Ride to raise funds for the Arava Institute. It was one of the great adventures of my life. Our crew for the ride were all alumni of the Institute, and we spent a night at the Institute in the Negev desert, meeting the current students and faculty. The work they are doing is at the highest levels, academically and spiritually. They are truly working to save the environment and improve understanding and cooperation in Israel and its surrounding region.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the way the students and alumni overcame obstacles to cooperating with each other.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the sense of hope and optimism for the future that the Institute creates.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
committed and dedicated to the mission of cooperation among Jews and Arabs to develop creative ways to save the environment.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
I came to know about the (Friends of the) Arava Institute for Environmental Studies through individuals that work in professional Jewish non-profit organizations in NYC. I learned of the crucial environmental research that was being done in a cross cultural cooperative learning environment. I have been fundraising and working with the Friends of the AIES for the past few months in preparation for my first Israel bike ride in November '09. Their organizaion and support has been amazing and I am looking forward to seeing the program firsthand.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The support,knowledge and enthusiasm from the leaders and volunteers.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Although I haven't been fortunate enough to go to Israel and see first-hand all of the good work that the Friends of the Arava Institute does there and elsewhere, I enjoy receiving its newsletters; they are very informative and interesting. The Institute's mission of focusing on developing environment-friendly concepts is wonderful and one that I strongly endorse. And their efforts to work in cohesion with other Middle Eastern countries gives me confidence that peace in that region will someday prevail. Continued good luck to the Friends of the Arava Institute.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
expedite and complete the many wonderful projects that it wants to do in Israel and elsewhere.
Ways to make it better...
I was able to visit Israel and see first-hand how the Arava Institute is helping that country.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Although I have never visited or participated in the Arava Institute, I think the concept is really great. The fact the people from all walks of life and many different religions can work together to make our world a better place to live, is remarkable. I would love the rest of the world to use the success of the Arava Institute as their prototype. Keep up the good work! I am looking forward to the day that I can visit and participate!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have not
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
I do not have any personal experience with the organization
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Have not met any
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
My friend Batshir had an amazingly educational experience on her bikeathon with Avara. This is importatnt education to bring our world together.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
hearing about my friend's adventure.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
I attended the Arava Institute in 1996-97 (in its first year of operation) and have followed its growth and evolution closely since then as a donor and periodic volunteer. I feel AIES fills a critical unmet need in the Middle East as a venue for addressing the region's challenges for environmental protection, resource management, and coexistence. In the time I attended AIES, there were almost no opportunities for Israeli Jews, Arabs (both from neighboring states and Israeli citizens), and students from elsewhere in the world to study together and explore regional environmental issues. Since that time, AIES, its researchers, and its alumni network have become important contributors to these issues - both in the Middle East and further afield in America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
attending courses, participating in the alumni network, attending subsequent events and gatherings.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the ability to interact with people from around the Middle East, travel in Jordan, Israel, Egypt, and the Palestinian Authority, and maintain ties through the alumni network.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very dedicated and willing to overcome substantial political and other challenges.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
build satellite infrastructure and further exchange opportunities in the neighboring Middle Eastern states
Ways to make it better...
(at the time) resources and curriculum had been better developed. Since then, there have been substantial improvements.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
the political hurdles facing Israeli cooperation with neighboring Arab states.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
In 2005 I was invited by a friend to join the Israel Bike Ride. During those wonderful days I learned about the Arava Institute and its effort to promote peace, environmental protection and education. I would describe that experience as a great human, cultural and natural discovery. I believe this organization deserves great attention and consideration because of the good causes it promotes and the efficient and well organized structure that has been developed since its foundation.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Learning, sharing and seeing places I had never been before.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Everything was extremely well organized. Members of the staff and volounteers where always kind and their efforts made our stay not only comfortable but also very constructive.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
10 million bucks would definitely benefit this organization in terms of project financing, helping reaching goals that would have a positive impact not only on the immediate beneficiaries.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2005
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