*Israeli President Shimon Peres Visits Kibbutz Lotan*

The recent President's Conference in Jerusalem opened with a video that showcased innovative research and development in the Negev and highlighted Reform Kibbutz Lotan's ecology center. To see this work for himself, the President of Israel, Shimon Peres, visited the Eilot Region in Israel's southern Arava Valley. Peres's visit focused on initiatives and leadership the region is taking in environmental education and renewable energy.

Kibbutz Lotan, which has achieved national prominence for its ecological projects, was Peres's final stop. After being greeted by a delegation of kibbutz children, Peres and the kibbutz general director
Mark Naveh toured the Center for Creative Ecology's facilities. The President met the young Israelis doing a year of service after high school who demonstrated the art of making mud bricks. He also learned about assembling a geodesic dome with palm branches from American college students participating in the Center's Peace, Justice & the Environment semester program in partnership with Living Routes and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

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