Strengthening Hope During Times of Conflict: The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies' Work Between Israelis and Palestinians

30 years ago, the doors of the Arava Institute opened on Kibbutz Ketura. Since then, it has brought together Israelis (Jews & Arabs), Palestinians, Jordanians, Moroccans, and other college-age students from around the world (including alumni from BBA) to study and live together. These past years have been a stress test for the Institute's work, but it has remained true to its mission. In addition to its academic program, the Institute is the home to a number of Transboundary research centers as well as the Center for Applied Environmental Diplomacy, which is active in Gaza. Rabbi Michael Cohen, who has been involved with the Institute since its doors opened, dividing his time between Vermont and Ketura, will share firsthand experiences, lessons, and insights from the past three decades. Rabbi Michael Margaretten Cohen is a faculty member of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies and Bennington College, where he teaches conflict resolution, Bible, and environmental studies. He also serves as Director of Community Relations for the Friends of Arava Institute. Rabbi Cohen has advised the U.S. Department of State's Office of the Special Envoy for Middle East Peace and the White House Speechwriters' Office and served on the Advisory Board of USAID's Middle East Peace Partnership (MEPPA). A Torah commentator and columnist for the Jerusalem Post, he is the author of Einstein's Rabbi: A Tale of Science and the Soul. Rabbi Cohen is the emeritus rabbi of the Israel Congregation in Manchester Center, Vermont, and a recipient of the Eliav Sartawi Award for Middle East Journalism from Search for Common Ground. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Burr & Burton Academy, the Mount Equinox Preservation Trust, KaTO Architecture, and the Jerusalem Peacebuilders. This program is free and open to all - or pay what you wish to support Green Mountain Academy at a level that feels right to you. Register in advance on the Green Mountain Academy website HERE>> Strengthening Hope During Times of Conflict: The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies Work Between Israelis and Palestinians - 30 Years of Reflection, Examples, and Insights - 11 Aug 2026