Environmental Culinary Summer Camp Brings Jewish and Arab Teens Together in Israel

Amid ongoing tensions between Jewish and Arab communities in Israel, the environmental education organization Green Network hosted a unique summer camp called "Cooking Peace" at the Ben Shemen youth village. The camp brought together 40 teenagers, equally split between Jewish and Arab youths aged 15 to 17, from diverse regions and cultural backgrounds across Israel. Most participants had never met peers from different religious groups before being selected through an extensive recruitment and interview process.

During the camp, the teens engaged in a variety of experiential activities focused on climate crisis awareness, nutrition, and cooking. The program emphasized sustainability values and the importance of living in a just society with a healthy environment. Participants took part in outdoor excursions, including visits to the Food Rescue Center in Jerusalem and a cooking studio in Tel Aviv. Central to the camp was fostering a shared responsibility for an optimal future for all Israelis, with deep dialogues about their concerns, hopes, and what matters most to them.

Green Network, active for nearly 30 years, aims to raise environmental and social awareness across all sectors in Israel through science-based programs connected to local cultures and spaces. The organization collaborates with local authorities to address climate change impacts, trains educators and administrators, offers age-appropriate curricula, conducts youth activities nationwide, runs workshops for municipal workers, and supports active community groups and residents.