A joint local leadership initiative of the Sapir Center and ‘The Israeli Shmita Initiative‘, that advances projects promoting social resilience in the community, in the spirit of the Shmita year.

The incubator operated during the sixth year of the seven-year Shmita cycle when, according to tradition, preparations are made for the following Shmita year. Nineteen participants studied together in six sessions that included learning the sources of the Shmita and the values it represents, familiarization with social-environmental issues (with an emphasis on those that relate directly to today’s challenges), and meetings with people active in this field to receive inspiration for social agriculture-related activism.

The seventh meeting was a joint hackathon during which projects were planned, expressing the incubator’s ideas in communities across Israel

Goals

  1. To promote meaningful community action while connecting to Jewish-Israeli identity and culture.
  2. To build a network of social-environmental activists with an Israeli Judaism approach to develop and advance this field.
  3. To strengthen awareness of the Hebrew calendar, while emphasizing the Shmita year as the “pinnacle” of values such as social involvement, environmental awareness, a sense of community.

Target Audience

Agents of change in Israeli society (primarily young people), from all parts of the country with diverse Jewish backgrounds.

Expected Outcomes

The hackathon participants developed various community initiatives for the Shmita year. A selection of the initiative appears below:

Sign of Sustainability

A mentoring program for IDF preparatory programs ('mechinot') in the spirit of the Shmita year – connecting Jewish heritage, sustainability, education, and community endeavor.
The program includes seminars for leaders from a range of IDF 'mechinot', and guidance for them in assimilating Jewish sustainability in the spirit of Shmita in their organizations.

'Shabbta'

A series of educational training sessions for sustainability leaders in Beer Sheva urban communities. The training combines practical permaculture and sustainability knowledge with community leadership and Jewish heritage.

Community Composts

The program began at Kibbutz Kfar Etzion and expanded to other religious kibbutzim. Ahead of the Shmita year, composters (compost bins) were set up in the community and educational-social activities were held on subjects of Shmita, sustainability, and local community solidarity.

Netzer Farm

Creation of an agricultural ecological farm in the Yavne'el region that observes the laws of Shmita. The farm is both an area for farming and a meeting place for different groups. The farm hosts meetings and experiential study events during the year on Judaism and sustainability .

Midreshet 'Am Adam'

A Beit Midrash program that combines study content, working the land, and individual development work inspired by the writings of A.D. Gordon and the values of the Shmita year. In addition to the program, a series of open study days is planned on the subject of Shmita, sustainability, and spiritual introspection.