Teva Learning Center

The Teva Learning Alliance (formerly Teva Learning Center) is a Jewish-based environmental education 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that teaches about Judaism and the environment at Jewish day schools, summer camps and Hebrew schools.[1] It is the only full-time year-round program providing innovative, experiential Jewish and nature-based education.[2]

Teva Learning Alliance
IndustryNon-profit
Founded1994
HeadquartersNew York City, USA
Key people
Nili Simhai
(Director)
Alexandra Kuperman
(Assistant Director)
Websitewww.tevalearningcenter.org

History and mission

The Teva Learning Center was founded in 1994 by and is based at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center and Surprise Lake Camp.[3]

The Teva Learning Center seeks "to renew the ecological wisdom inherent in Judaism" by "immersing participants in the natural world."[4]

Its director, Nili Simhai, won the 2009 Covenant Foundation award for Excellence in Jewish Education.[5] In 2014, Teva and the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center merged with the Jewish environmental organization Hazon.[6]

Programs

The Teva Learning Center is a Jewish education group which engages in environmental education and activism through the context of Judaism.[7] Teva's education centers on the preservation of the environment from a Jewish point of view.[8] Teva frequently teaches children in Jewish day schools teaches as well as synagogues, camps and youth groups.[9] Teva provides a hands-on approach to environmental education.[10][11]

Bring It Back To Our School

Teva provides workshops on the environment and outdoor experiences along the East Coast at 45 different schools[12] working with about 4,000 students annually.[13]

Part of this is teaching students that they are Shomrei Adamah ('Keepers of the Earth'):

Shomrei Adamah ('Keepers of the Earth'), is for fifth- and sixth-grade day-school students who visit a retreat center for four days and make a 'brit adamah,' or covenant with the earth, to engage in environmental activity. The Center also runs a program for junior-high students, Achdoot ('Togetherness'), in which the teens camp in the wilderness, usually a state campground.[14]

In June 2009, students from the Solomon Schechter Day School of Raritan Valley in New Jersey were presented with the 'Kids for Clean Communities Award' for the recycling program they developed at their school after attending the Teva program.[13]

Birkat HaChamah

In 2014, Teva purchased a bus previously owned by Ben & Jerry's founder Ben Cohen (businessman) for use in environmental classes.[15] The bus was incorporated into environmental awareness programs related to Birkat Hachamah or Blessing of the Sun.[15] However, Orthodox Talmudic scholar Rabbi J. David Bleich of Yeshiva University, (a specialist in Birkat Hachamah) has criticized this interpretation of Judaism as a notably environmental faith. He argues that environmental problems are "issues in and of themselves and are totally unrelated to the blessing of the sun," as the blessing is an occasion to acknowledge the wonder of God's creations, not a political statement. "I suppose you can connect anything," he says. "You can draw dots and lines; you don't have to be logical.".[1]

Farm Fellowships

Teva offers a three month fellowship in environmental farming and Jewish values.[16][17]

Teva Seminar

An annual four-day program designed to train over 100 participants to develop programs in their 'home' institutions.[18]

References
  1. Wiener, Julie (3 April 2009). "Love the Earth? Bless the Sun". Wall Street Journal.
  2. Westchester Jewish Conference, Organizations and Synagogues Directory 2009-2010
  3. "Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center". Isabellafreedman.org. 2009-04-20. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
  4. "D.C. News & Views: Faith Goes Green". Muslim Public Affairs Committee. 27 June 2008. Archived from the original on July 23, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-24. The Teva Learning Center, for example, seeks to create awareness among Jews about their connection with and dependence upon the natural systems that support life. The Center seeks "to renew the ecological wisdom inherent in Judaism" by "immersing participants in the natural world."
  5. "News Article | The Covenant Foundation". Covenantfn.org. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
  6. "History".
  7. "Retreat mixes spirit with love of nature". New Jersey Jewish News. 13 November 2007. Retrieved 2009-07-24. They took part in the program at the Teva Learning Center in Falls Village, Conn., which integrates outdoor environmental education with Jewish concepts and values.
  8. Brown, Elicia. "Cutting The Budget, But Not The Joy". Archived from the original on May 1, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
  9. "Digging Deep on Tu B'Shevat –". Forward.com. 4 February 2009. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
  10. "Site Map | Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Org of America". Hadassah.org. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
  11. Ben Tepfer. "Using Religion to Save the Planet". JVibe. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
  12. "Archived". www.thejewishweek.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2008. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
  13. "School recycling effort earns state recognition | New Jersey Jewish News". Njjewishnews.com. 2009-06-23. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
  14. Chandler, Doug (June 18, 2008). "It's Not Easy Being Green". The Jewish Week. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
  15. "Blessing of the Sun: A Teachable Moment –". Forward.com. 17 March 2009. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
  16. "Farm School Brings Students Back to Their Roots". Forward.com. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
  17. Fishkoff, Sue (2008-12-30). "Jewish food movement comes of age | JTA - Jewish & Israel News". JTA. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
  18. "Organization: Teva Learning Center". Wiserearth.org. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
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