Faculty

Mark Millstone Naveh

M.Sc., South Bank University in London; Honours (MA equiv.), James Cook University of North Queensland;
B.Sc., University of Sydney

Born in England, Mark grew up in Australia, and graduated with degrees in Ecology and Education for Sustainability. A resident of Kibbutz Lotan since 1989, he is the principal guide at the Center for Creative Ecology and is responsible for the Center’s educational programming.

Michael Livni

MD, University of British Columbia

Born in Vienna, Michael grew up in Vancouver B.C. and graduated with a specialization in Social Psychiatry. Livni served as coordinator for the Israeli Reform Youth Movement and has worked in various agricultural and economic fields. Since 1986, he has lived on Kibbutz Lotan, where he has been instrumental in establishing a widely successful program of educational ecology and eco-tourism.

Leah Zigmond

M.S., Environmental Science and Management, Duquesne University
BA, Biology, Chatham University

Leah has been a Lotan resident for 8 years and works at Lotan’s Center for Creative Ecology overseeing new developments in the ‘Eco-Kef’ ecology park as well as creating environmental education programs for visitors of all ages. She also manages the Kibbutz 1/2 acre vegetable garden and teaches classes on plant biology and sustainable desert gardening. Zigmond has also worked for the Southern Arava Research and Development Station, overseeing various field experiments. With a backgound in both market gardening and agricultural research Zigmond’s particular passions include sustainable irrigation practices and community supprorted agriculture.

Rabbi Daniel Burstyn

M.A., Jewish Studies, Hebrew College Boston; Rabbinical Ordination, ALEPH: the alliance for Jewish Renewal

Since 1990, Burstyn has made his home as a member of Kibbutz Lotan in Israel's Arava Desert. Daniel holds a Master's Degree in Jewish Studies through Boston's Hebrew College, where his research focus was on Judaism and the Environment, and was ordained Rabbi through ALEPH: the alliance for Jewish Renewal. He also holds a certificate in Permaculture. On the kibbutz, Daniel has worked in the kitchen, early childhood daycare, and as editor of the news magazine of the Eilot Regional Council. He currently manages the landscaping department and does his rotational work milking the cows.