Building a Sustainable Society: Israel through the Eyes of the Heschel Center

Environment and Citizenship among Jews and Arabs in the Galilee Hussein Tarabeah is an eloquent spokesman for the multiple projects housed at the Regional Center for Environmental Education and R&D (TAEQ) in the Beit Natufa Basin near Sakhnin. Many of the projects have been accomplished despite promised funding that never materialized, and bureaucratic setbacks that would have ended the efforts of a less dedicated team. The Sakhnin Center is home now to an international model project that will bring advanced wastewater treatment to rural areas across the Middle East. Now with funding from the EU, the systems developed at the Center can be replicated in other arid areas cost effectively, bringing safe irrigation water to rural towns and villages. TAEQ is also home to a remarkable, sustainably-constructed education center. Every room of the center integrates traditional design themes with natural building materials, resulting in an extremely efficient, quiet, beautiful space. Summer and Winter temperatures are moderated by thick, insulated double walls (look at the photo album for glimpses inside). This pilot project, also benefitting from EU funding, intends to achieve full energy independence (zero or close to zero dependence on fossil-fuel derived energy). Toward this goal, the facility merges the benefits of photo-voltaic and wind turbine (in the cooling towers) electricity production, solar water heating and highly-efficient switches, light bulbs, appliances and instruments. This affordable high-technology is housed in a building that honors traditional design elements (courtyards, high ceilings, screens and shades) and the infinitely beautiful variability of locally-quarried stone.